Microchipping Your Cat: A Vet’s Guide

Posted in: Cat Health - Last Updated: January 14, 2022 - Author: Sara Beth Redding
Posted in Cat Health 
Last Updated: September 29, 2021  
Author:  Sara Beth Redding
ginger cat having a microchip inserted

Did you just find a cat outside, or has your cat gotten lost? Cat microchips are commonly used to help return lost pets to their owners. If your cat gets out of the house and gets lost, a cat microchip can help them find their way back to you.

In short, getting your cat microchipped is a huge bit of "must do" advice for any cat owner.

While a cat microchip does not have a GPS locator, your cat will be scanned if they are brought into a vet office lost or if your cat gets picked up by animal control. Cat microchips have a unique number that you can register your personal information to so that your cat can be easily returned to you if found.

What are Cat Microchips?

A cat microchip is a very small implant that your vet injects under your cat's skin that has an identifying integrated circuit. The cat microchip uses a passive radio-frequency identification technology, also known as a PIT tag. This tag will have a number that is unique to that microchip.  The cat microchip can be picked up by a universal microchip scanner so that if your cat is ever lost, they can be returned to you.

Where is a Cat Microchip Located?

Cat microchips are small rice-shaped implants that are injected into your cat between their shoulder blades. This is done just by giving your cat a shot. Many times this can be done with your cat awake, but many people elect to have the microchips implanted at the time of their spay or neuter when they are sedated.

vet checking cat for microchip

How Can You Tell If Your Cat is Microchipped?

There are many different ways to tell if your cat has been chipped. Knowing that your cat is microchipped and having your information registered with their microchip number can give you the peace of mind that your cat will be easily returned to you if they are lost.

These are a few ways to know if your cat is microchipped.

Ask the Rescue Organization

If you have recently adopted a cat, the rescue organization will tell you if your cat has a microchip, the cat microchip number, and how to register the cat microchipping information.

You May be Able to Feel the Chip

If your cat is very lean, you may be able to feel the cat microchip between your cat's shoulder blades. This will feel like a small uncooked grain of rice. If your cat was microchipped when they were very young, this chip might have moved as your cat grew. Some chips will migrate around your cat's back or even down their front legs making it hard for you to just feel.

Ask Your Vet to Scan Your Cat for a Cat Microchip

If you are unsure if your cat is microchipped, have your vet scan them for a microchip. Most vets have a universal microchip scanner. This is a small device that will be able to pick up any chip number. Your vet would be able to give you your cat's microchipping number and give you information on how to register this chip.

vet preparing a cat microchip
Why should I have my Cat Microchipped?

Many cat owners wonder if they should have their cats microchipped even if they never go outside. The answer is yes. Even if your cat is strictly inside, it is a good idea to have them microchipped. Some cats will become curious and escape if you leave the door open too long. This will be a great thing for you to have done just in case they do accidentally escape outside.

Final Thoughts on Cat Microchipping

Microchipping is a very painless process of implanting an identification device into your cat in case they ever get lost. The first thing that many people do when they find a lost pet is to have them scanned for a chip. If your moggy does have a cat microchip, they can quickly be returned to you.

And to end on, don't forget about insuring your beautiful friend! Microchipping and pet insurance go hand in hand. Happy chipping.

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About the author

Sara Beth Redding (née Ochoa), graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (‘DVM’) from St. George’s University Veterinary School in 2015, and has since worked at a small and exotic animal practice in Texas. In her home life, she cares for four ‘fur kids’; two dogs, Ruby a schnoodle, and Bug a Japanese Chin, one cat named OJ and a leopard tortoise named Monkey.

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