Does Microchipping Hurt Your Dogs and Cats?

Did you know that one in three pets go missing in their lifetime? As scary as that sounds, fret not!

According to AKC Reunite, pets with microchips are up to 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners.

The question on every potential pet owner’s mind, though, does microchipping hurt? 

Does Microchipping Hurt Dogs and Cats?

The short answer would be a resounding NO!

But allow me to go into a little detail and allay those fears.

A tiny chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is placed under the scruff of your furry friend’s neck using a hypodermic needle. It barely hurts at all (if not for some slight discomfort) as no local anesthetic is required, there’s no bleeding or wound, and you’ll be done in a matter of seconds.

The idea is to have your pet in a calm and comfortable environment, and having you there would definitely help with those nerves. ‘Calm’ being the keyword here as it applies to you too!

A skilled veterinarian would get the chip in within a matter of seconds without your pet even noticing. 

Contrary to popular belief, it’s no more invasive than a vaccination shot.

Pet microchipping in Malaysia is only carried out by vets.

The procedure is a one-time thing,  as the chip should last your pet its entire life.

What Happens if Your Pet Screams During the Procedure? Should You Be Worried?

It might have felt a slight pinch. It’s only temporary with no residual pain. No, you need not worry.

Why Get Your Pet Microchipped in Malaysia?

A microchip helps identify your pet when it gets lost. A serial number is picked up by a scanner, and this will then generate your contact details when it’s run through a centralised pet registry.

A microchip is a lot more reliable than a collar and tag, which can easily get lost or broken. However, most local authorities require your pets to wear a collar and ID tag in public spaces, so its best you have them too.

Do bear in mind that a microchip is not a GPS tracker. These are alternative tracking devices you can purchase for your pet, which you can sync to your mobile device and keep an eye on your tiny one’s whereabouts at all times. Works on kids too!

How Much Does Microchipping Cost?

While most vets in Malaysia are licensed to vaccinate and microchip your pets, the cost of microchipping isn’t standardised and varies from RM35 to RM100.

If you are interested to buy a microchip and have your vet administer it, check out the Oyen Shopee Mall.

What is the Chip Made Of?

A microchip is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder made of plastic. The exact composition of materials may vary according to type, but it is basically a silicone-filled polyester sheath, according to the patent.

There’s no battery, no power required, and no moving parts.

When to Microchip? - At What Age?

When microchipping dogs, it’s best to wait till your puppy is seven or eight weeks old. Your kitten can be microchipped once it is five weeks old. You should get your cat chipped before allowing it outside,  just in case it strays and gets lost.

Are There Any Particular Breeds That Shouldn’t Get Microchipped?

While there might have been concern in the past over the use of microchips in smaller breeds of dogs like chihuahuas and in Siamese cats due to their thin coats, vets now recommend that all breeds be microchipped.

What microchip is best?

The International Standards Organization (ISO) has approved an international global for microchips. The ISO  standard 15 digit microchip is therefore recommended for international travel.

An international health certificate is required if you’re planning a trip abroad with your pet and part of the process in acquiring this certificate includes having your pet microchipped. The ISO standard frequency is 134.2 kHz.

What is its function, benefit, and importance?

The microchip itself does not have a battery but is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip.

The chip transmits the identification number (like a MyKad number for your pets) to the scanner, displaying the number on the screen.

The microchip itself is also called a transponder, and these scanners are available at most vets and shelters.

Once you’re done microchipping your dog (or cat), register the identification number with a centralised data registry, Petfinder.my, for instance.

Quick Tip

While there isn’t a centralised pet registry database licensed by local authorities here in Malaysia, Petfinder.my is the closest you get to it. Sign up and have your pets microchip code entered into its database.

The site is also a community platform for pet owners and features an app available on IOS and Android as well as avenues for pet adoption and online shopping.

Microchipping cats isn’t as common as with dogs, but it has become more popular in recent times and is recommended by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Malaysia.

Your contact details will then show up, and your lost pet can now be found!

It is therefore crucial that your contact details are up to date at all times.

No pet owner should experience the grief of losing your furry companion, so don't leave things to chance! Get your pets microchipped now.

Where Does Pet Insurance Factor In?

Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover ‘routine’ procedures like microchipping, but it’s always worth checking with your insurer.

Oyen is a digital pet insurance platform that allows pet owners to purchase pet medical insurance instantly.

Having your pet microchipped may be vital for your pet cover. For Oyen pet insurance, microchipping is compulsory for dogs but not for cats.

Crucially, if you take a dog/cat overseas and it hasn’t got a microchip, you will definitely not be covered by your pet insurance.

It’s worth noting that some pet insurance policies will offer ‘lost and found’ cover, or support to help to find a lost or stolen pet. But you must always read the terms and conditions. If this cover isn’t offered as standard, you may be able to add such cover for an additional fee.

In Conclusion

So there you go, all you need to know about getting your beloved doggo or kucing microchipped in Malaysia.

The take-home message would be that the benefits of microchipping your pet far outweigh the slight discomfort of the short procedure.

So what’re you waiting for? Let’s get em chipped!