How it works
The AVMA explains that a microchip goes under the skin with a needle only slightly larger than a vaccine needle, during a routine visit. No surgery or anesthesia is needed.
It is not a GPS
A microchip only holds an ID number that a scanner reads. It cannot track where your dog is.
The step most people miss
The chip only helps if the registry has your current phone number. The AVMA says the most important database to keep updated is the one run by the chip's manufacturer.
Ways to save
Shelters often chip before adoption, and some events offer low-cost chipping.
What other owners paid
Loading what owners paid…
How we put this page together
We do not publish estimates. The figures above come only from readers, and we show a typical price once at least five people have reported one. Medical facts are from:
- AVMA, Microchips: the ticket home (client brochure, 2022). Checked October 25, 2026.
Prices change by region and clinic, so use these as a guide and ask your vet for an estimate.
