Are Microchips Harmful for Puppies?

Microchipping is a common way for caring pet owners to provide their beloved four-legged friends with reliable and permanent forms of identification, should the cuties ever be far from home for any reason. Although the procedure can seem a little daunting, it isn't at all harmful to puppies -- or to adult dogs for that matter.

Veterinarians microchip animals by implanting wee silicon chips below their skin in the shoulder region. These chips, which are made secure by glass that is non-reactive, provide valuable details that can help people bring lost pets back to their concerned and loving homes -- think identification numbers, phone numbers and street addresses. These details are placed into extensive databases, available at veterinary clinics, animal shelters, police stations and similar settings. Whenever lost or stray animals show up in these types of places, they are always first checked for the presence of microchips. The microchipping procedure isn't time-consuming and doesn't hurt much at all for animals. It actually feels comparable to a standard shot.

Breathe easy, because microchipping is not at all harmful for puppies, indicates the website for the Suburban Veterinary Clinic in Maple Heights, Ohio. Not only is microchipping secure for youngsters, it also is appropriate for aging cuties, too. These chips also cannot lead to allergies, as they are non-allergenic.

Puppies can receive their microchips at tender ages -- think from 6 to 8 weeks old, advises the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care. From this period on, dogs can get microchip implants at any point. If you have any concerns for your specific pet, however, do not hesitate to share them with a veterinarian beforehand.

Microchips are harmless for little puppies, and also for canines that are simply small in general. Whether your pooch is a diminutive Chihuahua or a big German shepherd, the sizes of the microchips don't vary.

Microchips aren't exclusively for dogs -- far from it. All sorts of pet animals can get them, including cats, birds, horses and rodents. Even aquarium fish can get them. Just as with puppies, microchipping is also totally harmless for kittens.