Is microchipping safe for my cat, even if they are old or sore?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Are there any risks to microchipping cats? Should I wait to microchip my oldest cat - he just (recently) started medicine for arthritis so his body is already all sore and painful? Can microchips be inserted wrong? What happens if they do get inserted wrong or move inside the body after insertion?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 18th, 2017
Microchips are very safe. They are inserted under the loose skin above the shoulders with a large hypodermic needle. It's over and done very quickly, just a few seconds. Most cats grumble or hiss, but it is over with very fast. Most microchips implanted today do not migrate under the skin but remain where placed. Anyone administering a microchip is familiar with the method of inserting it properly.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 28th, 2018
Microchips have very few risks. Occasionally they can cause a reaction or infection at the injection site. There are rare reports of microchips migrating into the chest or abdominal cavity or occasionally even the spine. There is brief pain associated with the chip placement due to the needle. All of these risks and complications are very rare, and most cats never have a problem with microchip placement - in my opinion the benefits far outweigh the risks.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Is it risky to inject a microchip in my cat?
Microchips have very few risks. Occasionally they can cause a reaction or infection at the injection site. There are rare reports of microchips migrating into the chest or abdominal cavity or occasionally even the spine. There is brief pain associated with the chip placement due to the needle. All of these risks and complications are very rare, and most cats never have a problem with microchip placement - in my opinion the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What is procedure of installing pet microchipping is it life threatening or dangerous? Also want to know procedure of neutering is it life threatening or dangerous?
Microchipping is a very straightforward procedure where the microchip is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades using a wide needle. Iis is imortant that the pet is held securely during the injection to ensure it is placed in the correct location and can be slightly uncomfortable due to the size of needle. Neutering (especially castration - males) is a very routine procedure but all anaesthetics and surgical operations do carry some small risks; a ull physical exam and thorough health history by your vet on the day can help to identify any additional risk factors. It is possible to microchip whilst anaesthetised if you are proceeding with both.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My daughter who is 2 picked up our kitten by the scruff on her neck. Now I can't feel my cats microchip. Those things can vet lodged somewhere where it can hurt my pet correct? And the microchip can't be crushed? Thank you:)
The microchip is placed in the subcutaneous tissue- beneath the skin but they can move around/migrate, so it isn't unusual that you cannot locate the microchip by feeling it. It shouldn't be able to be crushed by normal handling. If your kitten had just had the microchip placed, in rare cases they can back out, so you can always have your kitten scanned again to be sure it is still in place!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I was wondering if microchipping is safe. I have read they can move and be very unsafe.
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. Yes, microchipping your pet is very safe and highly recommended in case Chance ever were to become lost! The microchip should be implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Rarely the microchip can migrate under the skin to the side of the chest or down by the sternum, but this does not cause any medical problems and is of no consequence to your pet at all. I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I just had my female cat Zoe spayed and microchipped about 2 weeks ago. She is about 7 months now. The microchipped has moved from her shoulders down to almost her armpit. Is this normal or more importantly is this ok??? She doesn't act like it bothe
This occasionally happens and is not a concern for any future problems. Most veterinary professionals and shelters will scan the whole animal when searching for the chip, so this should likely be picked-up in case she ever gets lost. Microchips are very safe and they are not a concern for causing tumors. There has been some suggestion that it might, but no solid evidence. It's definitely not something that I've never seen nor heard of in practice. I hope that helps and all is well with Zoe.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
is it possible for microchips in cats to be dislodged a little? we're having issues with one of the cats and the cat flap which operates on microchip recognitions - its programing ok and working when we put his head right up to it but when he tries i
It is rare, but the microchip can migrate. Repositioning it may require minor surgery to remove it. Xrays would likely be required to pinpoint its location. Discuss this with your veterinarian. Contact the company's Technical Support department to troubleshoot the issue and to discuss if another chip would be indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My kitty got microchiped a week ago, I found this black dot on her skin around her neck it looks like a dot of dry blood. I'm wondering if it is? Thank you
Hi there. It's difficult to see from the photo exactly what this is - but if it looks like a tiny scab on the back of her neck or between her shoulder blades, it could certainly be the small hole where the microchip needle was inserted. As long as there is no swelling or redness and no active bleeding, it should heal up fine on its own and should not be any cause for concern :)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is an indoor cat but is very curious of whats beyond rhe front door. I'm getting her spaid regardless of if she's an indoor cat or not, but I was wondering can you microchip a cat like they do dogs? I don't want to chance her getting out maybe
Yes, your cat can get a micro chip. I usually recommend cats get spayed/fixed when they are between 4-6 months old. Let your veterinarian know that you would like her micro chipped so that can be done while she is under anesthesia (before or after her spay procedure). I also recommend having her tested for FIV/FeLV, vaccinated, and dewormed while she is in for her spay if they have not been done yet. If your kitty is younger than 4 months and you have not yet taken her to see your veterinarian, you should take her in so that they can start her kitten vaccine series and check her for worms. I hope this has helped. Thank you for using pet coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I recently went to petco to get my dogs vaccines. The vet there highly recommended the 24 petwatch microchip. Normally I would do research but I trusted her. I did some research and they are terrible. I Was just curious can you remove or deactivat
Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to remove a microchip, so that cannot be done. As for deactivating it, it's not an active item. It simply has a serial number that can be read by a scanner, and then the vet enters that serial number into a computer database to find the owner's information. I'm not sure what research you have done about it, but microchips are very safe. I truly caution about believing things found on the internet, as it's typically anecdotal evidence and not scientific evidence. Vets would not recommend a microchip if it were terrible or harmful to the animal, and I would trust your vet over things you read from sources on the internet. Your vet is the expert. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Young male cat, 1 inch in diameter mass with red splotchy pigment at site of chip implant. Has "popped" before when grabbed by the nape. This is the second time in which it has grown and continues to grow in size. Not completely solid, Has slight giv
What you are describing almost sounds like an abscess. An abscess is a localized pus-filled pocket of infection and inflammation. I have never seen a reaction or infection caused by a microchip but that does not mean it can't happen. I would recommend having Jasper examined by his veterinarian to determine what is causing the swelling. His vet might have to remove the swelling/mass and have it tested/analyzed to see what exactly it is. This testing would help make sure that it is not cancerous lump. If it is determined to be from the microchip, I would have your vet contact the microchip manufacturer and let them know as that shouldn't happen with microchips. Best of luck to you and Jasper.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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