At Park Veterinary Hospital, we strongly recommend having your dog or cat microchipped to ensure their safety. Did you know one out of every three pets will go missing in their lifetime? The American Veterinary Medical Association states that microchipped dogs are reconnected to their owners is 52% of the time whereas microchipped cats are reunited with their owners 39% of the time. We highly recommend microchipping your pet to increase their chances of being reunited with you in case they get lost or run away.
Why We Recommend Microchipping
in Oakland Park, FL
Cat and dog microchipping is a quick and easy way to keep your pet safe. Even if the odds are low that your pet will get lost or run away, this procedure is easy to perform and is no more painful to pets than receiving a vaccine. Although ID tags are usually the first thing to look for on a lost pet, these can be removed or fall off. A microchip should be used in conjunction with ID tags to provide your pet with the best chances of reunification in case they are lost. The microchip, which is about the size of a grain of rice, is easily inserted between your pet’s shoulder blades. While there aren’t usually any side effects to the microchip procedure, the rare side effects on your pet may include:
- Temporary swelling at the injection site
- Rare movement of the chip under the skin
These side effects are minor and are rarely reported among microchipped pets. The microchip has a unique ID number that can be permanently linked back to you. Rest assured, your personal information is not at risk and is only used by chip manufacturers or recovery services to contact you if your lost pet is found. Our team would be happy to discuss pricing with you prior to the cat or dog microchipping procedure.
Preventing Lost Pets
Bringing your pet along with you can be a fun way to bond with your pet, as well as socialize and train your dog or cat in new environments. However, when you bring your pet out and about with you, there is also the chance of your pet getting loose or running away. New environments can be a great training opportunity, but they can also be overwhelming to dogs and cats, which might cause them to get scared and run away. Here are some tips to keeping your pet safe and preventing them from getting separated from you:
Pet Identification
All pets should have an ID tag on their collar with their vaccination information and your up-to-date contact information. It is a universal signal to anyone who comes across your dog that they are safe to approach and that they belong to someone who might be looking for them. In addition, having your pet microchipped can be an added safety net to increase the chances of a happy reunion should your pet go missing.
Appropriately Sized Collars and Leashes
It’s important to provide your pet with a properly fitting collar and an appropriately sized leash to ensure they stay safe while outside your home. A well-fitted collar should allow room for two fingers to fit between the collar and your pet’s neck. The width of the collar and leash should also properly correlate with the size of your pet. For example, larger pets should have a wider leash and vice versa.
Suitable Training
It is best for pets to know and be able to respond to a few commands to help keep them safe when out in public. These commands can be simple such as “sit” or “come”, and pets should be able to carry out these commands regardless of the environment around them. This tip requires more patience on the pet owner’s part; however the results are worth it to maintain your pet’s safety.
Prepare for Every Situation
Should your pet become lost, it is important to spread awareness of the situation. More people keeping an eye out for your pet increases the chances of your dog or cat being returned to you. Social media can come in handy in this circumstance, and we suggest including a picture of your pet in any post to provide your neighbors with an accurate visual of your companion.
