A lost pet is a fear of almost every pet owner. Unfortunately, it’s a real risk; According to the Animal Humane Society, approximately one in three pets in the United States will go missing in their lifetime.
However, microchipping your cat can significantly increase your chances of being reunited with him if he goes missing. It can save your cat’s life and keep it out of the shelter.
Read on to learn more about the costs of microchips, how they work, and their benefits.
Summary
Approximate cost to microchip a cat
Microchip implantation is typically a low-cost procedure that costs between $25 and $70.
After that you need to register the microchip, which is sometimes included in the cost but not always. During registration you will enter your data. This is necessary so that someone can contact you if they find your cat.
If your microchip manufacturer doesn’t offer free registration, it typically costs around $20. Some companies also offer annual subscriptions with additional benefits for an additional fee.
Is the microchip covered by pet insurance?
Pet microchipping is considered routine pet care. Therefore, traditional pet insurance typically does not cover the costs. However, many of the best pet insurance companies offer wellness plans that do.
A pet wellness plan covers routine and preventative care, such as annual checkups, vaccines, routine dental cleanings, spay and neuter procedures, and more.
What is a pet microchip?
A pet microchip is a tiny electronic chip that a veterinarian injects under your pet’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. It is the size of a grain of rice. The microchip implant feels like a normal injection and your pet will not notice the presence of the microchip.
The microchip contains a unique identification number. If your pet is lost, it can be taken to a veterinary clinic or police station and scanned. A small scanner is held over your pet’s skin and moved across his body. The scanner uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to activate the chip and obtain the ID number.
Using microchip registration databases, the veterinarian or police officer who scanned your pet can find your contact information. It is important to know that microchips are not GPS devices, so you cannot locate your pet.
What are the benefits of microchipping my cat?
Microchips are extremely useful for identifying lost pets and reuniting them with their owners. Many cat owners may not find it essential, especially if they have a cat at home. However, indoor cats can also leave the house and disappear. Microchipping your cat is a low-risk procedure that offers great rewards and peace of mind.
While microchipping doesn’t guarantee that your pet will return home, it greatly increases the chances. According to a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), only about 2 percent of lost cats without microchips have been reunited with their owners. By comparison, nearly 40% of those with microchips were reunited.
Pet owners should still have identification tags to put on their pet’s collar because this is the quickest way to find the owner of a lost pet. However, microchips, in addition to ID tags, are essential if your pet loses his collar or isn’t wearing one.
Microchip registration
Registering your cat’s microchip and keeping the information up to date is just as important as getting your cat microchipped in the first place. If your cat goes missing and his microchip does not contain the correct information, you may not find him.
When your cat receives a microchip, you will receive information about the manufacturer and how to register it online.
While there are many manufacturers, some common ones include:
- 24Petwatch
- Again at home
- Free pet chip registry
- Microchip SmartTag
- PetLink
- Life chips
- Avid Identification Systems, Inc.
- The AKC reunites
- Pet key
If you need help finding the manufacturer, ask your veterinarian for the microchip’s ID number and use the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) Pet Microchip Registry Universal Search.
Always make sure your microchip registry is up to date with changes to your personal information, even if you move or change your phone number.
When your pet visits the vet for his annual checkup, ask the vet to scan his microchip to make sure it is working properly. The microchip may move, preventing scanning. Or there could be another problem. The AVMA says these and other adverse reactions are rare but still possible, so it’s best to make sure it works.
Cost to Microchip a Cat Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth microchipping your cat?
It’s worth microchipping your cat, even if it doesn’t go outdoors. It is still possible for them to disappear, and a microchip increases your chances of being reunited with them. You can ask your vet about the microchip implantation process before moving forward.
Can I have my cat chipped for free?
How long do microchips in cats last?
Microchips are permanent and usually last for your cat’s life. When you take your cat to the vet for their annual wellness exam, you can ask the vet or technician to scan your cat’s microchip to make sure it is working properly.
Summary of Money’s guide to how much it costs to microchip a cat
Microchips are small electronic chips placed under your cat’s skin. They have a unique ID number that helps identify them. When you register your cat’s microchip, you provide information that can help someone contact you if they find your pet.
The average cost of a cat microchip is between $25 and $70. A pet wellness plan can cover costs but is not covered by traditional pet insurance. Additionally, while some pet microchip companies offer free registration, others charge around $20 or more and may offer optional annual plans for additional benefits.
Always make sure to keep your personal information in your microchip registry up to date.