Microchipping your Belgian Malinois is an essential step if you have one. Belgian Malinois are bright dogs that can easily slip out of their collar or escape from the yard. Microchipping these animals is thus critical so that they can be tracked down if they ever go missing. We’ll cover all you need to know about microchipping your Belgian Malinois in this blog post!
What is a pet microchip?
A microchip is a very small computer chip that a competent microchip implanter places between your dog’s shoulder blades. The physical chip is tiny, about the size of a rice grain, and will remain in your Belgian Malinois pup for the rest of its life. This microchip holds all of your and your pet’s information, including their immunizations, medical records, breed type, and more. Microchips are used not just for identification but also to combat pet theft.
Why should you microchip your Belgian Malinois?
Microchipping is the most effective method of identifying your Belgian Malinois. All dogs in the United Kingdom are legally required to be microchipped. Although microchipping your dog is now required by law, it makes keeping your dog safe much easier. If he or she ever gets lost and winds up at a veterinarian’s office – which does happen more than you think – microchipped Belgian Malinoiss are considerably easier to reunite with their owners than non-microchipped ones.
How can microchipping help me reunite with my missing Belgian Malinois?
If you microchip your Belgian Malinois, it will be possible to reunite them with you in the event that they get lost. When someone finds your missing dog and takes them to the doctor or rescue facility, their microchip may be scanned, which would lead back to you as their owner.
In order for microchipping to work, it is critical that the information on your dog’s microchip be updated. Make sure the microchip database firm has your most up-to-date contact information if you just adopted a new Belgian Malinois so they can contact you when your missing pet is found. If you don’t update the details on your dog’s microchip, you may find it difficult to reconnect with them if they go missing.
At what age do I get my Belgian Malinois microchipped?
Belgian Malinoiss may be microchipped at any age, but it’s preferable if they’re at least seven weeks old. If you get your Belgian Malinois puppy microchipped before they reach the age of seven weeks, their immune system is not developed enough. This might lead to them rejecting the chip implant or it not functioning properly.
If you live in the United Kingdom, your Belgian Malinois puppy must be microchipped by the age of eight weeks. Your breeder will most likely have completed this procedure before delivering your Belgian Malinois puppy, but it is always a good idea to double-check with them. If you’re uncertain, contact your local veterinarian who can tell you more information. Microchip implantation is a simple process that may be done at the vet clinic.
Does my elderly Belgian Malinois need microchipping?
Some owners believe that their old dog is exempt from microchipping. This isn’t true unless your veterinarian states that the Belgian Malinois can’t be microchipped due to medical reasons. A certificate from the veterinarian stating this will be provided. Because laws in the UK have made microchipping dogs compulsory, it’s likely that your canine companion has already been chipped. It’s not enough to get them chipped; we recommend checking with your microchipping database to ensure that the information is correct and up to date.
Will microchipping hurt my Belgian Malinois?
Of course not, microchipping your dog is a simple procedure that doesn’t cause any type of pain. If you are worried about having pain inflicted on your Belgian Malinois, don’t worry. With modern technology today, the procedure is extremely quick and easy, a quick injection that doesn’t cause your dog any type of discomfort. When a vet uses a microchip scanner to identify your Belgian Malinois’s microchip number, this is also a painless procedure that takes a matter of seconds.
Are there any side effects of microchipping my dog?
When it comes to microchipping their Belgian Malinois, some dog owners are concerned about side effects. There are some negative effects that these chips can cause; however, the most of them are minor and should not be considered a cause for concern.
Microchips have been linked to allergies in dogs, which can lead to discomfort or redness where the chip was inserted. This is very rare since microchips have been used for many years now without any major side effects being reported yet.
A possible side effect is an infection at specific locations, although this isn’t very common, according to research on over 100 dogs who were all microchipped successfully and free of negative effects. Microchip side effects can be avoided if the region chipped is treated properly and cleaned regularly.
Where can I get my Belgian Malinois microchipped?
All dogs from breeders should be microchipped prior to sale but if your Belgian Malinois puppy is not yet microchipped, there are various places where you can get it microchipped. Veterinary clinics, animal shelters, rescue organizations and even some pet stores offer this service for a fee where the dog owner will receive a certificate and correct microchip paperwork. Some rescue organisations may do this process for free.
How much does it cost to have my Belgian Malinois microchipped?
It costs about £20 in the United Kingdom to have a microchip implanted in your Belgian Malinois. The microchip implantation fee will be determined by the microchip brand you select, as well as other services you purchase with it. If you buy multiple services at once, such as vaccinations or pet identification tags, some microchipping businesses provide discounts. This cost could range between £20 and £30 if you don’t want to buy any more services from them.
I got my Belgian Malinois microchipped, what’s next?
When you get your dog microchipped, it is essential that you register the microchip number and contact information for your pet with a government-approved UK pet database. To learn more about the many pet database companies available, click here.
When your Belgian Malinois’s microchip is registered, it is your duty as the owner to keep it up to date, particularly your address and personal contact information, whenever you relocate. This helps reunite you and your dog if they go missing.
How can I update the information for my Belgian Malinois’s microchip?
You may change the microchip information of your Belgian Malinois at your local veterinarian or with the company that registered your pet’s microchip information.
A dog’s details on a pet microchip database may be changed and updated for between £6 and £20 in administration fees. Some charge you each time you alter your information, whereas others charge an upfront fee that covers all changes over your dog’s lifetime. Check with your database to see how they’re handled.
If you don’t update your Belgian Malinois’s information, you run the risk of not finding them if they go missing. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’ll never see your dog again. If the information about your Belgian Malinois is not updated, it will be the former owner’s information that will be recorded in the microchip database rather than yours. A £500 fine may be due if your details are also not kept up to date.
Conclusion
Microchipping is an essential aspect of dog ownership. It’s a simple, fast procedure with no negative effects if done correctly. If you microchip your dog and have their microchip information updated in the authorised pet microchipping database, you’ll have peace of mind that they can be quickly returned to you if they ever runaway.
I’m hoping that this post was useful to you, and that you learned everything you needed to know about microchipping your Belgian Malinois! Don’t forget to pass this information along to others who might find it useful too.