Many times, people will purchase GPS trackers for their dogs while others will put in a microchip. Deciding which option to choose can be difficult to pick, so we wanted to talk about each type and the corresponding benefits. That way, you can figure out if you should get a GPS tracker or a microchip for your dog.
GPS Tracking
GPS tracking involves giving your dog a collar or tag with a GPS device in it, so you can keep track of your dog’s location. It will naturally come with its own set of benefits, so we want to discuss them to help you see what they can offer.
Track Your Dog as Needed
By using GPS tracking on your dog, you can find the location of your dog whenever you need to. For example, if you have a large gated backyard with some woods, you may not see your dog from the window. However, you can check your phone to see if your dog’s GPS appears in the zone you expect him or her to be in.
If you notice your dog’s GPS shows him or her in an unusual place, you can immediately look for your dog. On top of that, if the GPS doesn’t show where your dog is, you know the collar or tag fell off at some point. This gives you the perfect opportunity to find the tracker if you know the location of your dog doesn’t match the GPS.
Figure Out Where Your Dog Went
Not only that, but if your dog runs off, you can figure out where he or she went by using the GPS tracker. The tracker will let you know the exact location of your dog as long as he or she wears the collar or tag. This allows you to check your phone, find your dog’s location and get your dog back to your home as soon as possible.
This helps you since you don’t need to put up lost and found signs since you can find your dog by using the tracker. You also don’t have to wait for someone else to find your dog, contact you and return him or her to your house. If you like the idea of knowing where your dog went after running away, a GPS tracker would help you out.
No Surgery Required
If you want to put a microchip in your dog, he or she will have to go through surgery to do this. This means you need to schedule a time with a vet, bring your dog in, have him or her go under anesthesia and wait for the surgery to end. After that, you have to take care of your dog and ensure he or she recovers from the surgery.
If you go with a GPS tracker, you won’t need to install the device into your dog’s neck. On top of that, you can easily replace the tracker and update it whenever necessary. GPS trackers also may not cost as much money since they don’t require a vet visit or surgery to let your dog take advantage of them.
Microchipping
Microchipping involves putting a microchip in the base of your dog’s neck, so you can store information in it to identify your dog. We want to point out some of the advantages involved with microchipping, so you can understand its advantages.
Store Important Information
If you decide to go with a microchip, you can store key information on it. For example, you can put your dog’s name along with his or her breed and also any vaccination information you need. That way, officials can scan the microchip and quickly collect this information to learn about your dog.
This means if your dog bites someone while away from your house, people can find out if your dog has recent rabies vaccinations. That way, those people know they don’t run the risk of getting rabies from a bite. Either way, since microchips store important information like this, you can protect your dog and share the information whenever you need to.
Others Can Identify Your Dog
On top of getting the information necessary to ensure others remain safe, people can also identify your dog through microchips. If your dog has one, people can find out the name of your dog alongside your name, address and phone number. That way, people can contact you if they find your dog when he or she leaves the house.
This can benefit you since people can figure out how to return your dog to you even if you don’t put up any lost and found signs to get your dog back. This also means people can’t pretend to be you in an attempt to take your dog if they have a way to identify him or her. This makes microchipping ideal for people who want to protect their dogs.
Your Dog Won’t Lose It
Depending on the situation, your dog could lose his or her GPS tracker after running away. For example, the tag could get pulled off, or the collar could rip depending on the situation. If this happens, you can track the collar or tag, but you will find it on its own rather than finding your dog.
However, if you go with a microchip instead, it won’t be removed from your dog. This means if someone finds your dog to ensure he or she goes to a place to scan the chip, they can notify you about the situation. That way, you can rest assured knowing others have a way to return your dog to your side without any fear of losing the chip.
Conclusion
As you review your options for GPS tracking and microchipping, you should consider the points listed above. Each one points out how your dog would benefit from either a GPS tracker or microchipping. Make sure you review both, so you can make it easier as you identify the best option to keep your dog safe.