Pros and Cons of Pet Microchips and GPS

Rather than the traditional method of outfitting your pet with tags on his or her collar, new advances in technology make it much more practical to find a lost pet. However, these advances come with their typical drawbacks. We will discuss the reasons the pros and cons of pet microchips and GPS (Global Positioning System) chip on their collar. All Pets Veterinary Medical Center in College Station, Texas offers pet microchipping for a low price!

Pros and Cons of Pet Microchips and GPS

What are Microchips?

Pet microchips are a grain-sized transponder, programmed with your dog’s identification number and injected under the loose skin over your pets shoulder.

Scanners and wands can detect these chips using low frequency radio waves that passes over the pet to decode your dog’s identification number and sends the number to a readout window. The number is entered into an electronic database so you can be notified of your dog’s whereabouts.

Advantages of Microchips

Advantages of microchips for pets include the following:

• They are permanently implanted, they cannot fall off or get lost, like collars with tags.
• The insertion is quick and causes very little discomfort, almost like a vaccination shot.
• Microchips are enclosed in tiny tubes made of soda lime glass, a compatible material with living tissue, to prevent inflammation.
• Microchips emit radio waves at a frequency much lower than those of AM broadcast stations that are approved by federal government.

Disadvantages of Microchips

Disadvantages of microchips for pets include the following:

• A universal scanner is not yet available, so some systems may not be able to read your dog’s type of microchip.
• Databases may be limited to your town or local area.
• Someone must find your dog for a microchip to assist in returning the pet to you.
• Microchips have a small possibility of causing inflammation in some dogs.

What are GPS Trackers?

A common misconception is that microchips have GPS tracking abilities, this is not true. Microchips are passive implants, activated only once your dog is found.

In contrast, GPS devices are actively linked to real time satellite receivers or cell-phone modems. Worn outside your dogs body, GPS tracking devices are about the size of a business card, and transmit your dogs exact location and even directions on how to get there and back to you once you call or text the devices. They can also alert you when your dog strays.

Pros of GPS Tracking Cards

The pros of GPS tracking include the following:

• GPS Devices can locate your dog from almost any area.
• GPS can direct you in real time to your dogs location
• No insertion is necessary; your dog typically wears the GPS card around his or her collar.

Cons of GPS Tracking Cards

The cons of GPS tracking include the following:

• GPS tracking devices are relatively more expensive than the average microchip, and some require a monthly subscription fee.
• Some areas have little or no cell phone coverage or connectivity.
• GPS units may be too big and heavy for smaller dogs to wear.
• Attached to collars, GPS devices can be lost.

These are just a few pros and cons of pet microchips and GPS. While there are other alternatives, these are the most practical and cost effective. No longer do you need to worry about your pet losing tags or having to wear a collar anymore. All Pets Veterinary Medical Center provides Microchips for your pets. Contact All Pets Veterinary Medical Center in College Station, Texas schedule an appointment today!