The chip for dogs is an essential product to have your pet identified and to speed up and facilitate the steps in case of loss. The chip that informs the registry and that is injected under the skin of our dog can only be implanted by a veterinarian, however, once this case is made, we may be interested in reinforcing the safety of our dog.
For that, On the market we find some very interesting products, GPS collars, with which we can know where our dog is at all times and which incorporate very useful functions. In this article we talk about them and much more related to the chip. In addition, we also recommend that you take a look at this other article about the 4 essential steps when adopting a dog.
The best chip for dogs
GPS with worldwide coverage
This practical locator or GPS for dogs is a device that attaches to your dog's collar. It has a lot of very cool and useful functions so you don't lose your pet. For example, its GPS works in more than 150 countries, it has a safety fence function in which a warning is activated when your dog leaves the area that you have defined as safe and you can even see how many calories it burns to keep it fit.
However, Like many of these GPS, keep in mind that, in addition to the device, you will have to contract a monthly plan, one year, two or five to be able to use all the functions, as well as download an application for your mobile.
Pet chip reader
A useful chip and microchip reader, a tool especially used by veterinarians and professionals to be able to read data from pet chips. It works on all kinds of pets: dogs, cats… and even turtles! However, it does not work on farm animals such as sheep or horses. You simply have to bring the reader closer to 10 centimeters or less from the place where the chip is so that the device reads it and the content appears on the screen. In addition, charging it is very easy, you only need a USB device.
GPS with QR code
Possibly the cheapest GPS you can find. Although it does not consist of any chip for dogs, it is very useful to locate your dog without the need for more expensive devices or with payment plans. It consists of a badge with a QR code. When it gets lost, the person who finds it only has to take a photo of the code to see the animal's data (name, address, allergies ...) and for the owner to receive an email with the location from where the reading was made.
Small and compact chip reader
Unlike the model we recommended before, this chip reader is suitable for all types of animals, not just dogs, since it also allows the identification of sheep or horses. It is very easy to use, since you only have to bring it closer to the area where the chip is to read it. In addition, you can load it with a USB and, when your computer recognizes it, you can manage the chip's read files from the folder. Finally, the screen has a very high visibility.
GPS dog chip
Another chip for dogs that you can add to your pet's collar to keep it under control at all times. This model is anti-leak and, in addition, it includes very interesting functions, such as the GPS itself with live location, but also an escape alert. It is waterproof up to one meter and, like many products of this type, to function it needs a subscription that can be monthly, annual or triannual. Finally, include a history with the routes that the dog has followed during the walk.
Super durable GPS collar
And we finish with this interesting GPS, with a very cool design and available in three colors, green, brown or pink, that you can attach to your dog's collar to have it permanently located. It is waterproof and, among its very interesting functions, common in other products, such as GPS or the security fence, it also has its own characteristics that can make it a good option for you, for example, the cost of the subscription, much cheaper than other models (just over € 3) or the weight, since it is very light.
What is a chip for dogs?
In this article we have presented you with a few articles that you can get on Amazon and that They allow you to track your dog using a GPS or read the chip that they already have implanted. Obviously, one cannot happily implant an identification chip in his dog, but has to go to a vet.
The chips, in fact, they are tiny microchips encapsulated in a capsule that is inserted subcutaneously into your pet. It is done with a simple prick, and they do not cause any kind of discomfort for the animal, nor do they cause allergies. Instead, it is a really effective tool to find your pet if it gets lost.
As we said, the chip is implanted by a veterinarian. This contains the human's data, such as address, name and telephone number, and it also allows a controlled record of all pets to be kept. The procedure is very simple: you will simply have to fill in a form with your data, which will be entered in the chip, the veterinarian will inform the registry and in a few weeks you will receive a letter at your home, a letter confirming the animal has been registered and a badge Identification with a QR code that you can put on your pet's collar as additional security.
How can you imagine it is very, very important that you keep your personal information up to date, since, in case your dog gets lost, they can give it back to you.
The importance of the chip
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and we could say the same about percentages, that illustrate very well some facts and situations about the importance of the chip. According to a 2019 Affinity study:
- Only the 34,3% of the dogs picked up by the protectors carry a chip
- Of these, it is achieved return 61% to their owners
- However, if we look at the total number of dogs arriving at the shelters, sIt is only possible to return 18%
- The remaining 39% of the dogs cannot go home or because the families who have abandoned or lost them do not pick up the phone or because they have the wrong data (that is why we mentioned that it is so important to have the registry updated)
Is it mandatory to identify my dog with a microchip?
In Spain it is mandatory to have identified pets, although not necessarily with a chip (Yes it is in the case of potentially dangerous dogs), for example, by means of a small tattoo, a badge ...
However, Although by law we are not required to implant a microchip in a pet, any good human worth their salt will do it. As we have said, the microchip is essential to find our pet if it is lost or stolen, in addition, it helps prevent abandonment. In short, it is not only safer for the animal, it is also ensuring its well-being, since it increases the chances of returning home with their family.
Where to buy dog chips
Next we not only show you where you can buy chips for dogs, but we also tell you where to buy different identifiers to keep your pet under control:
- To identify your dog with a subcutaneous chip, you will need to take him to a veterinarian. This (or this) will be in charge of injecting it and informing the registry of the animal's data. This process can only be carried out at a veterinarian.
If in addition to the chip you want to have other additional ways to keep your dog in check, there are many other options at your disposal:
- En Amazon You will find a lot of products such as GPS collars, plates, QR plates ... that will allow you to have your dog controlled and, in case it escapes, they can be of great help to locate it as soon as you can.
- Furthermore, online animal stores like TiendaAnimal or Kiwoko you will also find a large number of badges and necklaces, although they have less variety. They also offer interesting brand name GPS that can be useful to you.
- Finally, there is phone brands (like Vodafone) or car GPS (like Garmin) who also offer their own versions of dog locator collars. However, they are usually somewhat more expensive.
Chips for dogs are a great product to keep your dog identified in case of loss, right? Tell us, have you had any experience with any of these brands? Does your dog have a chip? Do you think this is enough or do you prefer to reinforce it with a GPS?
Sources: Affinity Foundation