Can You Feel a Microchip in a Dog

Ask the dog owners what their worst fear might be, and the reply would be, 'losing my dog, never to be found again.' That's a scary thought indeed. Now you can let go of that feeling, for there is a great invention called the microchip.

So what is a microchip? Can you feel a microchip in a dog?

Simply speaking, it's a chip that holds all of your significant information. So, if a dog gets lost, this information can be read through a microchip scanner by any animal shelters, rescue houses, or animal control officers.

Generally speaking, you cannot feel the microchip in your dog if it's inserted at the right location carefully.

Let's know further about this!

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a chip that collects and transmits the requisite information to the microchip identification scanner via radiofrequency. Each one of these chips has a unique identification number which is registered in a database. So when the lost pet is scanned, the information springs up on the scanner device.

A veterinarian inserts this microchip under your dog's skin through a large needle. This chip then nestles comfortably between your dog's shoulder blades.

But what does a microchip look like? Usually, the microchip is as small as a grain of rice and is hard to detect with bare fingers.

How Can You Feel a Microchip in a Dog?

If you have a small dog with short, thin fur like a bulldog or chihuahua, you can easily locate the microchip with your eyes and hands.

Although, it is always easier to run it under a microchip scanner, which is often shaped like a magical wand. Wave it over the pupper's shoulder blades while holding the button.

If the dog's shoulders have the microchip, the scanner will read the dog's microchip number instantly. This serial number can then be used to connect the dog with its current or previous owner.

If you find a stray dog and can feel the microchip, then take him to a veterinarian. He will scan the dog free of cost. You could even take the dog to get scanned at a rescue shelter since they often have a scanner there.

That said, most microchip identification kits come with a bespoke collar tag that you can attach with the immunization and name tags. The official ID tag could also be engraved with the serial number, thus the dog's shoulder blades won't need scanning.

Is the Microchip Movable?

Yes, a dog microchip is easily movable. You feel the microchip move around the dog's shoulder blades, or to its chest or back. Since this chip is not attached to the dog's bones, a bit of rough playing around or usual doggo life could cause the chip to relocate.

This is unlikely to cause any trouble for your dog though. Most veterinarians and animal shelters are aware that chips can move around, so they would run the scanner all over the dog's body, anyway. So, the chip will not be left unscanned!

Additionally, the relocation of the chip does not make it any less usable, either.

Microchip or Lump - What is It?

Most pet owners worry about their dog getting an abnormal growth or bump on their body. All for a good reason! But, instead of panicking first, when you find a lump between your dog's shoulder blades, take a minute.

Then, think of the following things to assess the situation correctly:

Does Your Dog Have a Microchip?

This is the first and most obvious consideration. That said, you may have brought home a stray dog and you may be unaware of the microchip in that situation.

If you got your dog from a shelter house, you must know that they usually scan dogs before they list them as available pets. So, more often than not, your dog may have a microchip. You can try and feel the microchip in a dog with your bare hands.

If you are still unsure, then a trip to the vet may not hurt. They could scan your dog and if he still does not have a microchip, then the lump can be further looked at.

What Is the Size of the Lump?

If it quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, then what must it be if not a duck?

Similarly, the question is, can you feel if a dog has a microchip? Just check if your dog's lump is of the same length and size as a grain of rice. And, if it's more or less at the exact location you got the dog microchipped, then it's probably a microchip!

What Does the Lump Feel Like?

A pet microchip often feels hard and narrow when you touch it. It also has curvy, rounded edges, like a rice grain. But an abnormal growth, tumour or lump will hardly ever feel like that.

If anything, a lump is softer and feels more weird and shapeless.

Is Your Dog Bothered When You Touch or Poke the Lump?

The easiest way to gauge if something feels organic or inorganic is by touching or poking it gently. If your dog reacts to it normally or looks at you with a confused look, or simply continues to snooze, it's probably a chip.

But, if your paw friend looks in pain or distressed, or moves away from your hand, then get it checked out!

What to Do If Your Dog Has a Microchip From Previous Pet Owner?

When you are adopting a dog from a rescue house or an animal shelter that has a microchip, request its serial code identification.

The easiest way around an old microchip is by working alongside the previous owners so the registry can be transferred to you. Typically, the previous owner would have to agree to the transfer of ownership. It would then reflect in the database as the contact details are changed.

This process should ideally be hitchless if it's a direct adoption.

But, in some cases, this process can be unnecessarily frustrating. It happens if the previous dog owner refuses to cooperate or the contact info on the dog's microchip is not easily identifiable.

If you are unable to obtain the correct info from the pet's microchip, then you can enlist the animal shelters or vets to scan the chip and direct you the right way.

Again, once you connect with the old owner, you can work out the details with them and get your information finalized against the serial number on the dog's microchip.

Do All Dogs Have to Be Chipped?

Getting your dog microchipped will only serve as an extra layer of protection. In case your worst nightmares were to ever come true and your dog gets lost, then a microchip will help him find his way back home to you!

So, with microchipping, you can retain your peace of mind, knowing that your dog and you will never have to be apart.

That said, microchipping can be done at any age. Although, it is more comfortable if a dog is microchipped when he/she is only seven or eight weeks old.

The next important question is: is it a mandate to get your dog microchipped?

In the UK, with new microchipping laws in place, you are legally required to get all dogs and puppies microchipped. The dogs must be registered under the system before they turn 8 weeks old.

If you don't comply, you will be served with a legal notice to microchip your dog within the next 21 days. Post this time period, you might face criminal prosecution and also be liable for a EUR500 fine.

The USA, though, does not have a solid mandatory law in place. But, several states are turning to the idea of making microchipping laws mandatory.

Does Microchipping Cause Side Effects to Pet's Health?

Many owners worry about getting their dog microchipped because of the sole reason that it may cause a negative impact. That's not true, though!

Millions of dogs get microchip implants every single year, yet the reported downsides of it are minimal.

The benefits of microchips outweigh all the possible risks of potential side effects.

Microchipping only takes a few seconds and it's not painful. That said, it can cause a bit of tenderness on-site for 24 hours or so. At worst, it may cause tumour encapsulation or abscess formation that may look like a lump.

None of it is life-threatening or harmful!

FAQ

1. What does a microchip look like?

Like most things computer-related, a microchip is an utterly tiny thing too. It has the same circumference and length as a small grain of rice. Administered with a hypodermic needle, the chip may create a feeling of a tiny narrow lump under the dog's thin skin.

2. How big is a dog microchip?

A dog microchip is as small as a grain of rice. While the size may differ for different microchip companies, the general microchip in a dog is about as large as 12mm in length. This pup's microchip is properly inserted between the dog's shoulder blades.

Wrapping Up

Some technological advancements should be embraced whole-heartedly, like that of a dog microchip. This is one of the best technological inventions that ensures the dog is always tethered to its beloved owner.

It's tiny, and inserting it into a dog's skin does not hurt, either. You can constantly check as you can feel the microchip in a dog. In the case of lost dogs, the tag can be scanned and the dog can be sent back to the rightful owner.

A world with fewer lost puppies is definitely a happy world! Don't you agree? Tell us your thoughts on it.