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Microchip, tag, or GPS? The ultimate guide to choosing the best identification for your pet
Losing a pet is a fear no one wants to experience, but it happens more often than we imagine. The good news is that today there are multiple ways to identify and protect your furry friend: from traditional metal tags to subcutaneous chips and modern GPS trackers. However, which is the best option for you and your pet? In this guide, we explain how each system works, its advantages, limitations, and what the ideal combination is for your situation.
Traditional Pet ID Tag: The First Line of Defense
Advantages: It's inexpensive and easy to obtain. It allows anyone to instantly identify your pet. It doesn't require technology or batteries.
Disadvantages: If the engraving fades or the number changes, it becomes useless. It doesn't provide medical information or location data. It can be lost or broken.
Ideal for owners who want basic backup identification, as long as the information is up to date.
GPS Devices: Real-Time Location
GPS collars are perfect for those who want to monitor their pet's exact location from their cell phone.
Advantages: Allows live tracking, you can set safe zones and receive alerts if your pet wanders off, some models include physical activity and route tracking.
Disadvantages: They need frequent charging and sometimes a data subscription, the size can be uncomfortable for very small pets, they don't replace visual identification (tag or chip).
Ideal for adventurous dogs, exploring cats, or families who travel frequently.
Subcutaneous microchip: permanent identification
The microchip is a device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the skin (usually in the neck). It contains a unique code that veterinarians and shelters can read with a scanner.
Advantages: It is not lost or deleted, It is mandatory in some countries or cities, It allows verification of the animal's legal ownership.
Disadvantages It doesn't have GPS or emit a signal (it only works when someone scans it), it requires a visit to a veterinarian for implantation, and it depends on the owner correctly registering the data in the national database.
Ideal for ensuring the legal and permanent identification of the animal, complementing other visible methods.
Technology at the service of love
Today, caring for your pet is easier than ever. Smart tags and GPS devices are not just a modern accessory: they are a tool for protection and peace of mind.
Equip your companion with the best possible identification and make sure they always have a way back home.
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