Microchipping your cat

In England, it is a legal requirement to microchip your cat by the time they reach 20 weeks old. However, microchipping is quick and easy – the only problem you might encounter could be wait times. 

There are several reasons to get your cat a microchip, but the most important is that it will help you find your cat should their toe beans ever lead them astray.

Do older cats have to be microchipped?

Yes, older cats must be microchipped, whether they are outdoor or indoor cats, if they’re 20 weeks or older. If you don’t, it could result in a fine. If you’ve got an older cat that isn’t microchipped, you should arrange an appointment as soon as possible.

Cat microchips have a unique numerical code which, when scanned, can identify your cat. Approved parties such as the police, a rescue centre, or your vet can read this information to return your cat to you. It’s essential to keep the microchip data up to date.

Microchipping may sound like a scary procedure, but it’s quick, easy, and inexpensive. The microchip itself isn’t even a toe-bean in size – in fact, it’s about the size of a grain of rice. And not the long grain type, either.

This tiny microchip is injected beneath your cat’s skin, between their shoulder blades. Your cat can’t feel it, and the microchip doesn’t degrade thanks to the special capsule it’s housed in.

At what age should you microchip your cat?

You can microchip your cat even when they’re a kitten, but you must microchip your cat before 20 weeks of age. During your cat’s vaccinations at 8 weeks of age, or when they’re neutered, it can be a good time to microchip them as well. Neutering is typically recommended at around four months of age.

You can get your cat microchipped at a veterinary clinic, a rescue centre, a pet charity, or certain rehoming centres. You may be able to contact your local council as well. The easiest way to microchip your cat is to visit your cat’s vet. Whatever you do, ensure that the person injecting the chip is qualified to perform the procedure. 

On average, it can cost about £10 to £30 to microchip a cat, depending on your location, any vet fees, and whether you receive any discounts from charity services. If you need to update your details at any point, there may be an additional fee. In some pet health care plans, microchipping is included.

Each pet microchip is unique, with its own code that relates to the pet’s owner’s details, which are stored in a national database.

These details include:

• Your name, home address, and telephone number
• Your cat’s name, date of birth, and gender
• The contact details of your vet
• Details about your cat’s health, including allergies, dietary requirements, and behavioural traits
• The license number of your breeder, if relevant to you
• An emergency contact number

This information is not automatically updated, so it’s up to you to ensure all information is correct in the event of any changes. You can do this online, over the phone, or by post, depending on the database your pet’s microchip is registered with. Your pet microchip will likely be part of one of the following databases in the UK, depending on your region:

• Animal Microchips
• Animal Tracker
• Chipworks
• Identibase
• MicroChip Central
• MicroDogID
• MyPet
• National Veterinary Data Service
• Pet Identity UK
• PETLOG
• PetScanner
• ProtectedPet
• SmartTrace
• UK PETtrac