Can A Dog Be Tracked If It Is Chipped?

21 March, 2023
Ashleigh Foltz

Technology is crucial to our lives and our pets' lives daily. With more and more advanced pet technology available, pet owners must understand what technology they need to keep their pets safe. This quick guide will help you better understand the difference between microchipping and GPS pet tracking so that you can make smart decisions concerning your dog.

Microchip Misunderstandings

Microchipping has been around for a while now, and many people have decided to use microchipping in addition to traditional dog tags. There are also a lot of pet owners who choose to use microchipping instead of dog tags. However, there are a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to microchipping. Let's look at some of these so that you can better understand how to use this technology to your advantage.

Microchipping should not replace dog tags. This is a terrible misunderstanding when it comes to microchipping. Microchipping is an excellent backup defense for your dog's safety, but your first line of defense should always be a good quality, up-to-date dog tag. A dog tag that contains your current information can help others return your dog quickly.

Many people will choose not to approach your dog without a dog tag. They may assume it is simply a stray. If someone approaches your dog, they will need to take it to a vet or an animal shelter to get the chip read. Many people are unwilling to do this, so they may pass your dog by. This can slow down the process of finding your lost pet.

Another common misunderstanding about microchips is that you can use a microchip to track your dog. This is not the case. The microchip can only help another person find out whom the dog belongs to; it does not help you locate the lost dog.

If you want to track your pet, you need GPS pet tracking.

Understanding GPS Pet Trackers

A GPS is a highly developed piece of technology that is much larger than a microchip. A GPS needs several internal components to operate, such as a battery, antenna, and more.

GPS technology works in tandem with some computers or smart devices. Signals from the GPS will be transmitted to your smart device to help you locate the device's approximate location.

However, some options make it possible for you to track your pets via GPS.

Pet trackers are small GPS devices that can be attached to your dog's collar. Some trackers are designed as collars making them very easy to put on your pet.

The benefit of a GPS tracker is that it allows you to quickly locate a lost pet. This bypasses the need to rely on others to find your pet, have their chip read, and then retrieve it. In a best-case scenario, you can track the animal as soon as you discover it is missing and recover it quickly.

A GPS tracker is great for pet owners who are often away from home. You can check in on your phone to ensure the pet is still in the appropriate location.

However, as with most types of technology, there are also drawbacks. GPS trackers work with a battery, so there is a need to recharge the battery regularly. However, the pet trackers on the market today usually need to be charged once a month or so.

Another issue with a GPS tracker is that it can come off of the dog. Unless you are using a tracker designed as a collar, there is always the possibility that the tracker could fall off.

Some people also fear that a GPS tracker poses a choking risk to dogs. If the dog can get the device off, it may chew it and get injured.

The most significant drawback is that some pet owners may rely heavily on the GPS tracker as a first-line defense for dog safety. This is a mistake. Your first line of dog safety must always be high-quality dog tags.

Choosing Dog Tags First

Although there is a place and use for lots of pet technology, including microchipping and GPS trackers, it is important for pet owners to remember that you need to choose dog tags first. If your pet does not have an up-to-date, high-quality dog tag, you need to get back to the basics.

A dog tag will provide your pet's name and phone number. People are more likely to approach an animal with a tag and engage with it when they know the animal's name. Teenagers can easily pull out a cell phone, call your number, and tell you where your animal is. If you are relying on microchipping, this may not happen. If you are relying on GPS tracking and the battery dies, or the device comes off, you won't be able to find your dog.

High-quality dog tags are safe, and now you can even purchase silent dog tags that don't make that annoying jingle. Silicone dog tags are a great way to quietly protect your pet.

Final Thoughts

It is important to remember that keeping your pet safe is not only something you do for your pet, but it is also something that you do for your entire community. Pets with IDs can be quickly returned home, so they do not become strays.

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