5,534 pet owners requested and received a free no-obligation quote from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.
How Much Does It Cost to Microchip a Dog?
Microchipping is relatively affordable, with an average cost of $25 to $60. This includes the cost of the chip, the implantation procedure and online registration to list your contact information in a pet recovery database. Your dog’s size, breed and age have no impact on the price since the microchip and implantation procedure is the same for every dog. What causes the cost to differ is where you get the procedure done, be it a vet office, animal shelter or pet store. Some animal shelters, such as the ASPCA, hold periodic clinics where you can save on microchipping.
If you adopted your dog from a shelter, it may already have a microchip, so be sure to ask. Many rescue organizations automatically microchip dogs. In that case, you’ll just need to pay to register your contact information, which is usually $20 to $25. Your vet can easily scan to see if your adopted dog is microchipped during any vet visit and walk you through the process if it isn’t.
What Is a Microchip for Dogs?
Microchips are small capsules about the size of a grain of rice that are inserted directly under your dog’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. Though small, microchips can store more information than a dog collar or standard tag. Each microchip can be programmed with a unique identification number along with detailed contact information, such as your name, address, phone number, return instructions and more.
It’s important to note that microchips aren’t GPS devices. You won’t be able to track your dog’s location. Instead, microchips are for matching lost dogs with their owners if they end up in an animal shelter or veterinary office.
How Does a Dog Microchip Work?
If your dog goes missing, someone will likely take it to a pet shelter or vet office. The vet or shelter staff can scan the microchip and determine your pet’s unique ID number. You’ll register your contact information with that ID number when you microchip your dog, so staff can easily contact you once it’s scanned. Many animal shelters and vet offices have microchip scanners or at least contact with a microchipping office that can do the scan.
Unlike a collar or dog tag that can wear out and fall off, a microchip can’t be damaged, increasing the likelihood that your pet will be returned to you. However, you’ll need to keep the information on the microchip updated if you move or change ownership of your dog.
Why Is It Important to Microchip Dogs?
The American Humane Association estimates that one out of every three pets goes missing at some point in their life, and there’s no guarantee your dog won’t be one of them. Without identification, there’s little chance your pet will be returned. Even if your dog wears a tag, it can easily fall off or be removed.
If a good samaritan or animal control employee finds your dog, they’ll likely take them to a shelter. Animal shelters and vets commonly check for microchips, increasing the chance you’ll be reunited with your pet and decreasing the chance it will be adopted by someone else or put down.
Is Microchipping Painful for Dogs?
Though it may sound painful, microchipping is virtually painless and doesn’t even require anesthetic. Typically, the tiny chip is inserted under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades using a syringe or similar applicator, so your dog won’t feel much more than a quick pinch, much like getting a shot.
If you’re worried about the pain, you can opt to have your pet’s microchip implanted during a procedure that does involve anesthetic, such as spaying or neutering. Microchip implantation only takes a few minutes and requires no healing, so your dog will be able to happily walk out of the office right after the procedure is finished.
Which Companies Cover Microchipping for Dogs?
Several pet insurance providers reimburse the cost of microchipping. Here are our top picks.
Lemonade Microchipping Coverage
Lemonade is a popular pet insurance provider known for its affordable plans. Though Lemonade doesn’t offer to microchip in its standard accident-and-illness plan, it has two add-on preventive care options that cover the procedure. The Puppy/Kitten Preventative package covers the chip and implantation. This package also covers spaying, neutering and vaccines.
Spot Microchipping Coverage
Known for its many customization options, Spot includes microchipping in its standard plan. According to Spot, your policy will cover microchip implantation by a licensed veterinarian, though fees associated with registration, monitoring and renewal aren’t covered. Spot also offers QuickPay, which allows you to get reimbursed in a matter of days.
Get your quote: Visit Spot’s website
Figo Microchipping Coverage
Figo offers microchipping under its wellness add-on for an additional monthly price. Its site refers to chips as personalized pet tags and stores the microchip information on its Pet Cloud. The cloud also allows you to manage your pet’s other digital information, such as your insurance policy, vet records, milestones, reminders and even opportunities to arrange pet play dates and find dog walking and grooming services.
A big benefit to Figo is its flexible reimbursement rates. The company reimburses 100% of covered vet bills, while most providers only reimburse up to 90%, so the full cost of getting your dog microchipped should be reimbursed.
Get your quote: Visit Figo’s website
Embrace Microchipping Coverage
Though Embrace’s standard plan doesn’t cover microchipping, its Wellness Rewards program does. The program isn’t an insurance policy but a preventive care budgeting tool that pairs with your plan to help you cover costs unrelated to accidents and illnesses. Microchipping is listed as a reimbursable procedure under the Wellness Rewards program, as are other helpful treatments, including spaying and neutering, vaccinations, grooming, dental cleaning and wellness exams.
Embrace stands out for its many discounts, including a 10% discount for each additional pet policy you purchase, a 5% military discount and a 10% employee discount if your employer offers Embrace. Your deductible will decrease by $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
Get your quote: Visit Embrace’s website
Compare National Pet Insurance Providers
*Lemonade may offer shorter waiting periods depending on where you live.
The Bottom Line: Should You Microchip Your Dog?
Given how inexpensive microchipping is, many dog owners do see it as worthwhile for the peace of mind. Implantation only takes a few minutes and registering your contact information online is simple, so the minimal cost and time investment makes reducing the chance of forever losing your furry friend a no-brainer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Microchipping Dogs
Yes. The best way to increase the chance of your dog being returned if lost is to have both a microchip and tag. A tag may make it easier for whoever finds your dog to reach out, but collars and tags can easily be damaged or removed. A microchip lasts a lifetime and can’t be damaged, so if your dog ends up at an animal shelter or vet office, it’s guaranteed to be scanned and returned to you as long as your microchip is registered.
Though dogs can be microchipped at any age, some vets think it’s best to wait until your puppy is at least eight weeks old to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible.
There’s no law requiring dogs to be microchipped in the United States. As of April 2016, U.K. law requires dogs over eight weeks old to be microchipped.
No. Microchips aren’t a tracking device and don’t allow you to track your pet’s location. They’re only used to register your dog under a unique microchip number so it can be traced to you if found.
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