Microchipping is a necessary procedure for any German Shepherd owner. Because German Shepherds are highly smart dogs, they might easily slip out of their collar or run away from the garden. Microchipping these pets is quite important in order for them to be located if they ever go missing. We’ll go through all you need to know about microchipping your German Shepherd in this blog article!
What is a pet microchip?
A microchip is a small computer chip implanted in your pet by a professional microchip implanter between his or her shoulder blades. The physical chip is tiny, measuring about the size of a rice grain, and it will be there for your German Shepherd puppy’s entire life. This microchip has all of the information regarding you and your dog, including their vaccinations, medical records, breed type, and so on. Microchips are used not only for identification purposes but also to combat animal theft.
Why should you microchip your German Shepherd?
The best approach to identify your German Shepherd is by microchip. All dogs should be microchipped under the legislation. Although microchipping your dog is now required, it makes keeping your dog safe much easier. Microchipping a German Shepherd makes reuniting with their owners significantly easier than non-microchipped ones if he or she ever goes missing and comes to the veterinarian’s office – which happens more often than you think.
How can microchipping help me reunite with my missing German Shepherd?
Microchipping your German Shepherd is a kind approach to ensure that you are re-united if they go missing. This indicates that if someone finds your lost dog and takes them to the veterinarian or rescue facility, their microchip should be scanned, which will return them to you as their pet owner.
In order for microchipping to be effective, it is critical that your dog’s microchip information is current. If you just got a new German Shepherd, make sure the microchip database firm has your most up-to-date contact information so they can reach you if your lost pet is located. You may find it almost impossible to reconnect with your German Shepherd if their microchip information isn’t updated.
At what age do I get my German Shepherd microchipped?
A German Shepherd can be microchipped at any age, but it’s best if they’re at least seven or eight weeks old. If you microchip your German Shepherd puppy before they reach the age of seven weeks, their immune system is not fully developed. This might result in them rejecting the chip implant or it failing to function properly.
By law, your German Shepherd puppy must be microchipped by the age of eight weeks in the United Kingdom. Before you take home your German Shepherd puppy, most breeders will have implanted a chip in him or her, but it’s good to check with them to make sure. If you don’t know whether they’ve done it yet, go see your neighborhood veterinarian who can tell you if your dog has a microchip implanted. They can easily implant a microchip while you wait, if the breeder has not done so already.
Does my elderly German Shepherd need microchipping?
Some people believe that if their dog is old, it is no longer necessary to get it microchipped. This isn’t true unless your veterinarian certifies that the German Shepherd’s age prevents him or her from being chipped for health reasons. A certificate stating the exemption will be provided by the veterinarian. As a result of regulations mandating microchipping, it’s probable that your canine companion has already been microchipped in the United Kingdom. It’s not enough to have them chipped; we recommend confirming with your microchip database that the information is correct and up to date.
Will microchipping hurt my German Shepherd?
No, microchipping your dog is a simple process that doesn’t cause any discomfort. If you’re concerned about pain inflicted on your German Shepherd, don’t be. The procedure is quick and painless today because of modern technology, with a fast injection that does not generate any discomfort for your German Shepherd. When a veterinarian uses a microchip scanner to determine the microchip number of your German Shepherd, it’s also an easy and painless procedure that takes only seconds.
Are there any side effects of microchipping my dog?
Some people are concerned about side effects when it comes to microchipping their German Shepherd. There are some side effects that can happen with these chips but most of them are minor and not really something you need to worry about.
Microchips can cause allergies in your dog which will lead to irritation by the area where the chip was inserted or redness around it. This is very rare since they have been used for many years now without any major side effects being reported yet.
Another possible side effect might be an infection at certain sites although this isn’t common either according to research done on over 100 dogs who were all microchipped successfully and safe from side effects. With proper care and cleaning of the area chipped, microchipping side effects can be avoided.
Where can I get my German Shepherd microchipped?
Prior to selling, all dogs from breeders should be microchipped. If your German Shepherd puppy is not yet microchipped, there are a variety of locations where it may be done. Veterinary clinics, animal shelters, rescue groups, and even some pet stores charge a fee for this service, which includes a certificate as well as correct microchip paperwork for the dog’s owner. Some rescue organizations will do this work for free.
How much does it cost to have my German Shepherd microchipped?
A microchip implantation costs around £20 in the United Kingdom. The microchip cost will be determined by the microchip manufacturer you select and other services provided. If you buy a number of services at once, such as vaccinations or pet identification tags, some microchip companies provide discounts. This price may vary between £20 and £30 if you do not wish to acquire any more services from them.
I got my German Shepherd microchipped, what’s next?
When you get your dog microchipped, you’ll need to register the microchip information and contact information with a government-approved UK pet database. Here’s everything you need to know about the many pet database companies available.
When your German Shepherd’s microchip is registered, it is your duty as the keeper to keep its microchip information up-to-date, especially your address and personal contact information, whenever you move to a new home. This helps you find your German Shepherd when your pet strays away.
How can I update the information for my German Shepherd’s microchip?
You can update the microchip information at your local vet clinic or by getting in touch with the microchip company where your pet’s microchip details were registered.
Changing and updating a dog’s details on a pet microchip database costs between £6 and £20 in administration fees. Some charge you each time you modify your information, whereas others charge an upfront fee that covers all changes throughout your dog’s lifetime. Check with your database to see how they’re managed.
If you don’t keep your information current, the prospect of being reunited with your German Shepherd if they go missing is considerably less. Don’t put yourself in a position where you may never see your dog again. If the details of your German Shepherd remain unchanged, it will be the previous owner’s details that will be held on file with the microchip database as opposed to yours.
Please note, there is also a £500 fine due if your contact details registered with a government approved pet database is inaccurate.
Conclusion
Microchipping your dog is an important part of caring for them. It’s a brief and painless process that has no negative effects if done correctly. If you microchip your dog and get their information updated in an authorized pet microchipping database, you’ll have the assurance that you’ll be able to locate them quickly if they go missing.
I hope that you found this post helpful, and found all the information you needed about microchipping your German Shepherd. If so, don’t forget to share this information with others who may also find it useful.