Microchipping your Labrador Retriever is an essential step if you have one. Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever in this blog post!
What is a pet microchip?
A microchip is a small computer chip implanted by an expert microchip inserter beneath the skin between your dog’s shoulder blades. The physical chip is tiny, about the size of a rice grain, and will be in place throughout your Labrador Retriever puppy’s lifetime. This microchip contains all of the information about you and your pet, including their vaccines, medical records, breed type, and more. Microchips are not only used for identification; they’re also used to combat canine theft.
Why should you microchip your Labrador Retriever?
The best method to identify your Labrador Retriever is by microchipping. All dogs should be microchipped by law. Although microchipping your dog is now required, it makes keeping your dog secure much easier. Microchipped Labrador Retrievers are simpler to re-united with their owners than those that aren’t microchipped because they can be identified at the vets if they ever end up there – which happens more than you think sadly.
How can microchipping help me reunite with my missing Labrador Retriever?
Microchipping is a kind way to ensure that you are reunited with your Labrador Retriever if they go missing. When their microchip is scanned, it would lead back to you as the owner of the dog if someone found your missing pet and took them to the veterinarian or rescue centre.
It is important that your dog’s microchip information is updated and maintained in order for microchipping to be effective. If you just got a new Labrador Retriever, make sure the microchip database provider has current contact information so they can reach out to you if your missing pet is found. You may find it difficult to be reunited with your Labrador Retriever if you do not keep the contact information up to date on your pet’s microchip.
At what age do I get my Labrador Retriever microchipped?
Labrador Retrievers can be microchipped at any age, although it’s preferable if they’re at least seven or eight weeks old. If you microchip your Labrador Retriever puppy before they reach the age of seven weeks, their immune system isn’t fully developed. It’s possible that the chip implant will be rejected or that it won’t work as intended as a result of this.
By law, your Labrador Retriever pup must be microchipped by the age of eight weeks in the United Kingdom. Your breeder is likely to have performed this procedure before you adopt your Labrador Retriever puppy, but it’s always a good idea to double-check. If you’re not sure whether or not your breeder has done so, go visit your local veterinarian who will be able to tell you for sure. If they are unable to locate a chip, Microchip implantation is a simple operation that your vet can perform easily.
Does my elderly Labrador Retriever need microchipping?
Some people believe that a dog over the age of five is not required to be microchipped. This is untrue unless your veterinarian states that the Labrador Retriever’s health would be jeopardized by the operation. A certificate from the veterinarian stating that an exemption applies will be provided. Because laws have made microchipping dogs compulsory in the UK, it’s likely that your canine companion has already been chipped. It’s insufficient to have them microchipped; we recommend verifying with your microchip database that the information is current and correct.
Will microchipping hurt my Labrador Retriever?
No, microchipping your dog is a simple process that doesn’t cause any discomfort. If you’re concerned about pain inflicted on your Labrador Retriever, 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 Labrador Retriever. When a veterinarian uses a microchip scanner to determine the microchip number of your Labrador Retriever, it’s also an easy and painless procedure that takes only seconds.
Are there any side effects of microchipping my dog?
When it comes to microchipping their Labrador Retriever, 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 Labrador Retriever microchipped?
Prior to selling, all dogs from breeders should be microchipped. If your Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever microchipped?
It costs about £20 in the United Kingdom to have a microchip implanted in your Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever microchipped, what’s next?
You should registered your dog’s microchip information and contact information with a government-approved UK pet database after getting him or her microchipped. To learn more about the various pet database firms and what they have to offer, click here.
After your Labrador Retriever’s microchip is registered, it’s your obligation as the keeper to update its microchip information, especially your address and personal contact information, whenever you relocate to a new place. When your pet goes missing, this makes it easier for you to reunite with them.
How can I update the information for my Labrador Retriever’s microchip?
You may change the microchip information of your Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever’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 Labrador Retriever 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 your dog is a must-do for pet owners. If done correctly, it’s a quick and painless procedure with no negative effects. It’s critical to microchip your dog and have their microchip information updated in the authorised pet database so you’re assured that if they go missing, you can quickly find them.
I hope you found this article useful, and that it answered all of your questions about microchipping your Labrador Retriever! Please share it with anybody who could benefit from knowing more about dog microchipping.