In this how-to video, Revival’s Former Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Bramlage, shows how to microchip a dog and demonstrates how to use a microchip scanner for dogs. Chip registration into a central database is important for recovery if your pet ever strays.
If you have any other questions on dog microchips, call us at 800.786.4751 or watch Pet Microchip FAQs on our blog.

Microchipping a Dog

Microchipping is easy and simple, and it’s an easy way to get your dog back if they happen to bolt when they’re scared. The microchip actually goes in the neck area, easily above the shoulders. What we want to do is create a tent and actually go in under that tent.

Do Dogs Hurt After Microchipping?

Does microchipping hurt a dog? Any injections have a bit of a sting when you go through the skin. So one of the things you want to do is when you’re going through the skin, go right on through, because that’s the part that that hurts. So make the tent and go into the tent so it won’t be a big deal for her. Now, some people like to use alcohol to prep before hand. I think you have to put alcohol on for like 30 minutes to do much good. But if you want to, fine. You can insert the microchip with the dog sitting or standing. I usually prefer standing, so they don’t jump up.

We’re going to take the needle and make sure that that microchip is in there. When you put these chips in, I usually want the bevel up and I just pet her. And as long as you have your hands on them, they usually know. We’re going to go right in, right through the skin.

Checking the Microchip

We’re going to give the microchip. I like to pinch the needle and pull it back out. I’m now just holding it up, pinching it, and I can feel the chip there. If I grab the scanner, we’ll be able to tell that we have the microchip in under the skin and that’s all there is to it. Don’t go slow because that’s like cutting the skin. You want to go right on through.

There are a couple of kinds of microchips. The mini chip and the standard chip, I don’t see a lot of difference in the two except for the size of the needle. And if you look at the size of the needle, you will see the difference between the two is quite marked. The mini chip is actually designed for dogs, so it is not the mouse chip that people ask about. It is designed for dogs, and it works very well and it’s great for puppies. Older dogs, this is a big needle, but it’s a one-time to the skin so people think it’s worth it.

If you have a microchip scanner and most breeders will, it’s important to scan everything before you start. Some scanners will not scan all chips. So you want one that will scan all chips.

Shop Microchips

After injecting your pet’s microchip, don’t forget to register the chip and record the information on your pet’s feline or canine health records.