At a glance
By law, all cats and dogs must be microchipped or you could be fined £500.
Dogs must be microchipped by eight weeks old, and cats by 20 weeks.
Microchipping costs between £15 and £30 on average, and is a quick and relatively stress-free procedure.
Pets must be microchipped by a vet or animal charity, and the details kept up to date on a government-registered database.
What is pet microchipping?
Pet microchipping is a way to permanently identify your pet, in case they go missing. Microchipping involves inserting a tiny microchip implant under the skin of your pet, usually near the scruff of their neck.
The chip has a unique code that can be used to identify the pet and match them with their owner’s details, which are stored on a central database.
If your pet is found and taken to an animal shelter or vet clinic, the microchip will be scanned to find your contact details so you can be reunited as quickly as possible.
Is microchipping my pet compulsory?
Yes, according to UK law, all dogs have to be microchipped by eight weeks old. And since June 2024, all cats must now be microchipped from 20 weeks old.
If you’re found not to have microchipped your pet, you could be fined up to £500.
Microchipping your cat and dog is also one of the requirements for taking your pet to the EU.
Why is microchipping my dog important?
Hundreds of dogs wander off and over a thousand are stolen every year, causing heartbreak and distress for many owners.
If a dog is found by a local authority dog warden, it’ll be checked for microchipping. If your dog has a microchip, the unique code can be entered on a national database and used to find your contact details.
If your dog’s name collar has fallen off and it isn’t microchipped, there’d be no way for the authorities to contact the owner. After seven days, your dog could be passed on to a rehoming charity.
Remember, even if your dog is microchipped, your details need to be kept up to date. Otherwise, it’ll be incredibly difficult to reunite you with your canine companion.
Why should I microchip my cat?
According to The Kennel Club, cats are around nine times more likely to go missing than dogs.
As with dogs, microchipped cats have, by far, the best chance of being returned home. 21,000 cats were reported missing between 2023 and 2024, and more than 13,000 were reunited with their owners based on their microchip data.
What’s the law on microchipping your dog?
Since 2016, it's been a legal requirement in the UK for owners to make sure their dog is microchipped. Around 90% of UK dogs are now microchipped, according to government data.
The microchip must be fitted by an approved professional like a private vet or a vet from a registered animal charity. The details on the chip must then be registered on a government-approved database.
You must also make sure that the details on the database are up to date. Updating your contact details with your vet does not change the details on the database. It’s your responsibility to update your details if you change phone numbers or move home.
As well as being microchipped, your dog must also wear a collar and tag with your name and address on it when in a public place. If you don’t get your dog microchipped and registered on a government-approved database, you could be fined up to £500.
Are there any exceptions to microchipping your dog?
There are a couple of exceptions when it comes to microchipping your dog, including:
Working dogs with a docked tail in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (2006). In these cases, you have up until the puppy is 12 weeks old to get it microchipped.
Instances whereby your dog’s health could be compromised by microchipping – if your dog’s too unwell to be microchipped, your vet can give you an exemption certificate. However, you’ll still need to have your dog microchipped once any exemption expires.
If you’re a breeder and can’t microchip a puppy for health reasons, you can still sell the dog at eight weeks. However, you’ll need a vet’s certificate of exemption in order to do so.
What’s the law on microchipping your cat?
As of 10 June 2024, all UK cat owners must microchip their pets as soon as they reach 20 weeks old. This includes cats that stay indoors.
As with dogs, owners must also register their contact details on a government-approved pet microchipping database. Cat owners also need to ensure their registered details are up to date.
If you don’t get your cat microchipped and registered, you could also face a fine of up to £500.
Are there any exceptions to microchipping cats?
There are a couple of exceptions to microchipping cats, including:
‘Free living’ cats – such as ‘feral’ moggies
Farm cats – who come and go and don’t have much interaction with humans.
Indoor cats are not exempt from microchipping. This is because they can still escape, and they could easily become lost if they’re not used to the outside world.
Why else should I get my pet microchipped?
As well as it being a legal requirement for dogs and cats, your furry companion should be microchipped for the following purposes:
Travelling with your pet – if you’re taking your dog or cat to an EU country or Northern Ireland, they must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. You’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet confirming microchipping and vaccinations. Read our guide to taking your pet abroad.
Pet insurance – your dog and cat must be microchipped to get pet insurance. Most polices won’t cover the cost of microchipping, many offer ‘lost and found’ cover to help fund adverts, for example, to find a lost or stolen pet – but only for pets that are microchipped.
Did you know?
If your dog or cat is found by the police or local authority not to have a microchip, you’ll be given the chance to have it done – but if you don't comply within a short period of time, you could be fined up to £500.
How much does microchipping cost?
It can vary, but usually vets charge between £10 and £30 to microchip your pet, depending on where you live in the UK.
The following charities will microchip your pet for free if you’re struggling to afford the cost:
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home – offers free microchipping for cat and dog owners in London
Blue Cross centres – across the UK offer free cat, dog and rabbit microchipping.
How do I update my pet’s microchip details?
It’s vital you keep your pet’s microchip details current and up to date.
If you move home, for example, you’ll need to contact the database you’re registered with and give them your new details.
You might be charged a small administration fee to do this, depending on which database your pet is registered on – usually between £6 and £20.
If you forget which database your pet is registered on, you can find out by visiting the Check-a-Chip website.
FAQs
How does microchipping work?
Microchipping works by having an implant with a unique code placed under your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It’s only the size of a grain of rice, and it typically only takes a few seconds to fit.
Each microchip has a protective shell to stop it causing a reaction or moving around. The microchip should last for your pet’s lifetime.
Will microchipping hurt my pet?
Microchipping shouldn’t hurt your pet. The process is quick and shouldn’t cause too much distress. However, it does involve a needle. So, it might be slightly uncomfortable for a few seconds, just like vaccinations.
Will the microchip track my pet if it gets lost?
No, the microchip doesn’t track your pet.
But, because its unique code will be registered along with your details, it can help the authorities reunite you with your lost dog or cat.
You can buy GPS tracking devices for your pet though. This could be a worthwhile investment if you have a wayward dog, or a wandering kitty.
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Allie has spent her career helping people quickly understand complicated topics, to help them save money and focus on what matters. With almost 10 years’ experience writing, leading and managing content, she is an expert in personal finance and insurance products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
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