What Type of Dog Identification Should You Choose?

There are many different ways to help your dog be identified if she becomes lost. The most common types of dog identification are described below.

Collars and identification tags

These are the traditional way to identify a pet. Both metal and plastic identification tags are readily available and are not very costly. These tags can be personalized with your name, address, and telephone number so your dog can be easily identified and you can be notified.

The disadvantage of simple identification tags is that they can easily be removed or may fall off your dog’s collar. Without his identification tags, there may be little hope for finding a lost dog or puppy. Some people will remove a dog’s collar or tags so they can keep the dog for their own. Identification tags will not prevent these thieves.

Microchips

Microchip identification for pets has been an option for several years now. Today, most microchips operate on a 134.2 kHz frequency to be compatible with international systems, but the first microchip identification in the United States worked on a 125 kHz signal.

About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip identification is surgically implanted beneath the dog’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. The tiny computer chip contains the name and address of the dog’s owner and is read with a specialized scanner. Microchips can be read at most animal shelters, as well as by many veterinarians.

Tattoo Identification

Tattoo identification is quick, simple, and doesn’t cost very much. Most dog identification tattoos contain the dog’s name and the owner’s phone number. These tattoos are usually placed on the dog’s ear or stomach and can protect against theft as well. The only downfalls to tattoo identification is that the tattoo may lose color and become difficult to read or the tattoo may be altered so the dog cannot be identified.

Joann Henry operates “Doggie Health Care” http://www.DoggieHealthCare.com a blog all about our beloved four legged family member’s health. She loves to give away free stuff! If you sign up to receive her newsletter, not only will you get some free tips to keep your dog healthier, but FOR A LIMITED TIME, she’ll give you a FREE ebook. For more information, please visit: http://www.DoggieHealthCare.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joann_Henry