Generally microchips are implanted in most breeds around 5 to 6 weeks of age, when they receive their first vaccinations, and in smaller breeds this may be older. The breeder then needs to submit an application to register the litter to Dogs NSW, along with the individual microchip details.
The sooner you get your puppy microchipped, the sooner your dog is protected should it get loose or become lost. This is why many veterinarians recommend having your puppy microchipped at eight weeks of age. You might also consider local laws regarding pet registration, vaccination, and microchipping.
Puppies are microchipped from 6 – 8 weeks of age.
To find out whether your dog is microchipped, or to find out the microchip number, take them along to your local vet and have them scanned.
You never know when your dog or cat may get lost, so it's better to be prepared in the event that anything happens. Most veterinarians will only microchip puppies or kittens that are younger than six weeks old. However, it's recommended that you wait until your pet is 12 weeks old for the best results.
So in short, what is the best age to take your puppy home? At the very earliest 8 weeks. Ideally when looking at their stages of development, try to be patient and wait until 9 to 12 weeks. You will hopefully have many happy years ahead of you with your dog, so set them up for success at their most crucial time.
Puppies should not leave their mom and littermates before eight weeks of age. The mother dog has so much to teach the new puppy; lessons that will affect him all his life, and his littermates teach important lessons as well. If the mother dog has passed away, the littermates need to remain together.
Do microchips hurt dogs? After the initial injection, which is similar to a simple vaccination, the microchip won't cause your puppy pain or discomfort at all – in fact, they probably won't even know it's there!
It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection. No surgery or anesthesia is required—a microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit.
Unfortunately, no. A smart phone can not and will not ever be able to read a pet's microchip.
Most of the time, you can't feel your dog's microchip because it is the size of a grain of rice. If you can feel the microchip in a dog, don't panic. Your dog probably doesn't notice. The best way to confirm the presence of a chip is to have the dog scanned using a microchip scanner at a vet or shelter.
When your pet passes away and you choose cremation for processing their remains, the microchip will remain in their bodies throughout the process and be incinerated during the cremation.
How long do microchips last? Microchips are designed to work for 25 years.
Can a microchip be removed from a dog? Yes, it is possible to remove a microchip from your pet; however, it is a more difficult and expensive procedure than getting it inserted. This is because removing a microchip requires a full surgical procedure.
If you see dried blood on the skin or fur in the days following the microchip insertion, leave the area untouched so it can scab and heal. Avoid bathing your pet or swimming for three days after the microchip is implanted.
If your cat is incredibly anxious or sensitive, then your vet may recommend that he or she be microchipped while already under anesthesia for another procedure, like spaying/neutering. Your cat needs no healing period after the microchip is in place.
As with any medical procedure, there is always a risk of side effects. These include: Swelling at the site of the injection (temporary) Migration of the chip under the skin (rare and usually within an inch of initial location)
A number of dogs have reportedly developed aggressive tumor growths at the site of the microchip--some of whom have gone on to die. While it could be argued the chances of a tumor developing are extremely low, it remains a risk owners should be aware of before undertaking the procedure.
What does a pet microchip cost? Microchipping a pet is inexpensive. The average cost of your dog's microchip is about $50. This includes the injection procedure as well as microchip registration.
According to AKC Reunite, “Pets with microchips are up to 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners.” It's a simple procedure, it's not expensive, and the risks are minimal.
A microchip does not contain a GPS. A microchip is more like a digital ID tag than it is a GPS tracker. A unique ID number is attached to each microchip. If your pet is lost and taken to a vet or shelter, the staff will be able to scan the microchip to see the pet's ID number.
If you're anything like us, you'll probably continue referring to your dog as a puppy until they're old and grey! But generally speaking, a puppy is officially considered an adult dog between the ages of 1 - 2 years, once their bones have fully developed and they've reached their final height and size.
Take your puppy outside frequently—at least every two hours—and immediately after they wake up, during and after playing, and after eating or drinking.
Pups who don't have the opportunity to be corrected by mom will lack the same level of bite inhibition as a "normal" pup. These are the pups with the mouth issues from frantic mouthiness to nipping to downright hard biting. Similarly, sibling pups begin to teach each other in their play.