Positives and negatives of microchips for dogs?

Question

Should I get a microchip for my dog in case it runs away? it is an indoor dog.

Answer 1

Unless you can guarantee the dog will NEVER cross your boundary line.  Several areas are now requiring the chip before a lost animal is returned to it's owner.

Answer 2

I am highly opposed to microchipping a dog. People say there is a very low chance, but why would you risk your dog's health?

I suggest getting your dog tatooed and having tags.

Cancer isn't something to take lightly... especially for your life-long friend!

Answer 3

I see no negatives to micro chipping. All 4 of my GSDs are micro chipped. If for some reason, however small, that they are lost, I want them back. This is the surest way for that to happen. None of mine even seemed to notice the shot. No yelping or crying.

My brother has his 4 GSDs micro chipped also, even though his registered female is tattooed. Vets and shelters check for micro chips quicker that tatoos.

Answer 4

I Work at an emergency vet in VA. My pets have them, even my cats. A lot of people think that cats shouldnt get them because it hurts, but thats not completely true. The needle used is a lot sharper and more beveled than the needles used for vaccines. Honestly every cat ive seen get one barely noticed. However my 180lb st bernard yelped! Hes a big baby though. We have found the owners of so many lost dogs its crazy! We even found the owners of a dog who lived in California! Its such a good product. I reccommend Home Again over the others because now it comes with a "No migration" cap, meaning it wont move much from the area its put in. Good luck!

Answer 5

Yes. Even if it's an indoor dog, it could get away from you somehow.

Pros:

- Your dog has a higher chance of being returned to you if lost.

- Proof of ownership.

- Permanent identification (collars can fall off or be removed, microchips can't).

Cons:

- Very very very very low chance of a tumor forming around the microchip. Did I mention this is a very low chance? Statistically, not even something to be concerned about.

ADD:

Lo,

Do you realize there's also a chance your dog will day on the operating table when getting spayed/neutered? Or that any time a human or animal gets put under anesthesia, there's a chance they will have a bad reaction and die? Or that a dog can get it's collar caught on something and either suffocate or break its neck? Did you know when you eat, there's a risk you might choke? Did you know any time you get in a car, you might be in a car wreck?

You can't live your life being scared of everything, you have to weigh the pros and cons.

In the case of microchips, the pros *far* outweigh the very small possibility of a con.

.

Answer 6

There are no negatives to a microchip. Get one.

Answer 7

No one can ever dispute the ownership of a chipped dog .... that in itself is reason enough to chip them!

Collars can be lost, tags removed --- but a chip stays with the dog.

Answer 8

I'd say get one.