Do you think microchipping is a good idea? Have you had your cats microchipped? I know it is a very good tool in case your cat or dog gets lost, but I've heard also that it is painful and that the chip itself can slip and wander. I'm leary of it, and keep my cats inside, and my dogs never go out without a leash on so.... Opinions?

My cat that I have adopted from a shelter is microchipped, and he is fine, no signs of discomfort. I volunteered at that shelter, they microchip all their cats; I never saw any problems caused by it. As to whether microchipping is helpful, I would say yes. Several cats' lives were saved by it. When an irresponsible person adopts a cat and then throws it out, the cat can be picked up by Animal Control; they then scan it for a microchip, find one, and return the cat to the shelter.

Yes its a definitely a good idea to get your cat chipped, but there have been times when vets have missed the chips as they have moved, so if you have a chip make sure you get your vet to check to see if it can be read properly.

Def a good idea volunteer for cats protection all our cats go home with microchips its only the size of a grain of rice and all cats i seen have it doen barely flkinch, and its the best way of finding your pet if he goes missing 100% behind it

(25-08-2008 10:57 AM)Steve Wrote:  Yes its a definitely a good idea to get your cat chipped, but there have been times when vets have missed the chips as they have moved, so if you have a chip make sure you get your vet to check to see if it can be read properly.

I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to reply to this bit.

Microchips only migrate if they are implanted incorrectly. When positioned correctly, the 'chip sits between the shoulder blades. It's when it's not between the shoulder blades that the 'chip can travel down the side of the body.

Also, some 'chips now have "anti-migration technology", either the 'chip is specially shaped to anchor it to the animal's tissue, or they have a special coating to speed up the tissue attaching to it.