Can a Dog’s Microchip Fail? Causes & Solutions in the US

Microchipping your dog is one of the most reliable methods to ensure a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost, faded, or removed like a collar and tag can. A microchip is a small electronic device, approximately the size of a grain of rice, that is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades using a hypodermic needle. Each chip contains a unique identification number that can be read by a universal scanner, connecting to the owner's contact information stored in a microchip registry database.

The procedure is quick and minimally painful, comparable to a routine vaccination, and can be performed by any licensed veterinarian. Most dogs tolerate it without sedation or special preparation. The chip is permanent and does not require any battery or power source; it remains dormant until activated by a scanner's radiofrequency signal. Once implanted, the chip typically remains in position for the dog's entire lifetime, though in rare cases it may migrate slightly from the original implantation site.

Microchipping is most effective when paired with registration in a reputable national database such as the American Animal Hospital Association's Found Animals Registry or PetLink, and when owner contact information is kept current. A microchip that is not registered or linked to up-to-date information cannot facilitate a reunion. In the United States, scanning is standard practice at animal shelters and veterinary clinics when an unidentified dog is brought in. Studies have shown that microchipped dogs are significantly more likely to be reunited with their owners than non-chipped dogs, making it one of the most important routine steps in responsible dog ownership.