Last Updated on December, 2024
Dog live tracking gadgets are widely used by pet owners curious about their pet’s movements and activities.
In the same way, if your pet gets lost, a GPS-tracking device could help you find it. However, most owners of pets have the question, “can you track your dog with a microchip?”.
Many people, including pet owners, think that all they have to do if their pets go missing is scan their microchips to find them.
Although convenient, a microchip cannot be used to track your pet in real time.
The good news is that microchips are just one of several tools available to help you find your lost pets.
Want to know how to ensure the safety of your pets? Continue reading.
Quick Summary
A microchip can help locate a lost pet if the right conditions are met, but it cannot be used to track your pet in real-time.
Microchips are just one of several tools available to help you find your lost pets.
The best way to find a lost dog is with a GPS pet tracker.
Table of Contents
Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty: Can You Track Your Dog With a Microchip?
This subject is more complex to answer, but if you want to use your pet’s microchip to find them, the answer is:
“NO! IT’S NOT HELPFUL”
There’s a common misconception that microchips can help you find your lost pet if they get lost.
Though not its primary function, microchips can help locate a lost pet if the right conditions are met.
Related article: Can You Use Tile On Your Dog As a Dog Tracker?
What is the Function of a Dog’s Microchip?
As previously described, a microchip is an example of an RFID device.
Information such as the microchip registration contact number, a unique identifier, and even the name of the microchip company can be found there.
Typically, the chip is inserted between the animal’s shoulder blades, revealing its contents after a scan.
It is so tiny (about the size of a grain) that it is almost undetectable.
Your veterinarian can do the procedure, and no anesthesia is needed.
Microchips have a potential lifespan of 25 years and can remain functional for a pet’s lifetime.
One way to increase the likelihood of recovering a lost dog is a microchip implant.
The microchip’s register data can be easily retrieved by whoever discovers the dog and scans it to verify the pet’s microchip ID number, contact the microchip’s registry, and request the dog’s owner information.
Can You Track Your Dog With a Microchip: How Can I Find a Lost Dog With a Microchip?
Even if you try hard to avoid them, accidents can still happen. Your pet might escape and become missing when someone leaves a door ajar.
If they have a collar and ID tag, you have a better chance of getting them back.
But what happens if the collar falls off?
Many pet owners are turning to identification microchips put in their animals for security.
Instructions for tracking down a misplaced canine using its microchip are provided below.
Connect to the Microchip Database
Microchip manufacturers typically maintain their registries, so you can either report your pet as missing through the manufacturer’s website if it has an online registry or report it as missing by calling the company’s own registry.
Substitute the Microchip’s Identifier Here
If you call the microchip registry, they may ask for your pet’s microchip number. If you register your chip, you can enter it there as well.
The vet clinic or veterinarian who implanted the chip can obtain the microchip’s unique identification microchip number for identification purposes.
Ignore the Time and Expect a Call
Once you’ve provided the chip’s number, watch to see whether your dog will be scanned.
After the pet has been examined, the registry will be notified, and you will receive instructions on how to claim your pet.
What is the Next Best Option to Use?
If your dog ever gets lost, GPS tracking devices can help you locate it quickly and easily, unlike a microchip that only works in a fixed pet’s real time location.
Dog Trackers vs Microchips
It’s a common misconception that microchips and trackers are interchangeable, yet important distinctions exist between them. The table below highlights these distinctions.
| CRITERIA | MICROCHIPS | GPS TRACKERS |
FUNCTION | Your dog will always have a unique identification. When scanned, it can help locate a lost dog. | Your dog’s whereabouts can be tracked and monitored in real-time |
INSTALLATION | Install it with the help of a veterinarian (as an implant). | Used to keep track of your dog is not an implant. It is simple to remove because it is usually attached to the dog’s collar. |
SIZE | A tiny computer chip, barely the size of a grain of rice | substantially bulkier and weigh around 1.4 ounces. |
HARDWARE | Has specific hardware. Only the registration number and the registry’s contact information are included. | Trackers’ more complex electronics allow them to do various tasks, including bark detection, a virtual perimeter, illumination, and stimulating impulse. |
Related article: Is There a Pet Microchip with GPS Tracking Capabilities?
Are Pet Microchips Useless Overall?
No! Not being able to utilize a pet microchip to locate a lost pet is no reason to forego the benefits of microchipping.
A microchip is still a valuable resource for finding lost dogs and reuniting them with their families.
Every piece of the owner’s contact information counts when your best friend goes missing, as any pet owner understands.
However, a microchip can only be used after a lost pet has been located.
A pet tracker is the most effective method for reuniting you with your missing dog.
Fi Series 2 is one of the market’s best GPS live tracking collars.
FAQs
Conclusion
If your dog ever becomes lost, knowing whether or not a microchip can be used to locate it will be invaluable.
While a pet’s microchip cannot provide real-time tracking, it can significantly improve the odds of finding your lost animals.
Therefore, the best choice to track your dog 24/7 is using a GPS pet tracker. Also, not all GPS trackers will do the job as described; for that, you’ll need the best. Check out our article on the Best GPS Dog Trackers.
Was this article helpful?
