Microchipping is a necessary procedure for any Whippet owner. Because Whippets 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 Whippet 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 Whippet 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 Whippet?
The best approach to identify your Whippet 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 Whippet 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 Whippet?
Microchipping is a kind and safe method to reunite you with your Whippet if they get lost. When their microchip is scanned, it would return to you as the owner if someone discovered your missing dog and took them to the veterinarian or rescue facility.
It’s critical that your dog’s microchip information is up to date and registered in order to ensure that microchipping is effective. If you just got a new Whippet, make sure the microchip database firm has your most recent contact information so they can notify you when your missing pet is discovered. You may find it difficult to be reunited with your Whippet if the microchip contact information isn’t current.
At what age do I get my Whippet microchipped?
A Whippet can be microchipped at any age, but it’s best if they’re at least seven or eight weeks old. If you microchip your Whippet 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 Whippet puppy must be microchipped by the age of eight weeks in the United Kingdom. Before you take home your Whippet 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 Whippet 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 Whippet’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 Whippet?
Microchipping your dog is not only a painless procedure, it is a simple process that causes no discomfort. Don’t be concerned if you’re worried about having unpleasant pain inflicted on your Whippet. With today’s technology, the operation is incredibly quick and simple, with a fast injection that provides no discomfort to your dog. When a veterinarian uses a microchip scanner to identify the number on your Whippet’s microchip, it’s another painless procedure that takes just seconds.
Are there any side effects of microchipping my dog?
Some people are concerned about side effects when it comes to microchipping their Whippet. 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 Whippet microchipped?
Every breeder that sells dogs should make sure they are microchipped, but if your Whippet puppy is not yet microchipped, there are a variety of locations where you can get it done. This service may be obtained from veterinarians’ offices, animal shelters, rescue groups, as well as certain pet shops for an expense; the dog’s owner will receive a certificate and correct microchip paperwork. Some rescue organizations may do this work for free.
How much does it cost to have my Whippet 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 Whippet 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 Whippet’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 Whippet when your pet strays away.
How can I update the information for my Whippet’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 Whippet 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 Whippet 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 a critical part of pet ownership. If properly inserted, it is a quick and painless procedure with no negative side effects. It’s critical to microchip your dog and have their microchip information registered in an authorised pet microchip database so you’ll be easily reunited with them if they go missing.
I hope you found this post useful, and that it answered all of your questions regarding microchipping your Whippet! If so, please share it with others who could benefit from learning more about it.