Having an active and energetic dog is great to keep the mood lively, but every so often, the anxiousness of our furry friends gets the best of them and they get a little carried away. What usually happens is that they get lost just like around 10 million other pets each year and if you are a conscious pet owner, you are worried sick until the dog comes back.
Now, there are two possible ways to put this problem to bed. One is a GPS tracker, and the other is a microchip. Let’s go over both these potential solutions in detail.
What’s a GPS Tracker and What Does It Do?
GPS, or a global positioning system, is the same technology we find in our phones and other digital devices to aid in navigation. For dog tracking, GPS trackers have become increasingly popular because of how easy they are to put on and the fact that they are about the size of a wristband.
A GPS tracker transmits information about the dog’s location via alerts or texts and comes equipped with a battery that lasts a while. The best part is the convenience with which it can be taken off and put back on. Putting it on is very simple and you could just place it on the dog’s collar.
Another benefit of a GPS tracker is that it can be programmed to alert the owner if the dog goes to a certain area or strays from its path. Some modern GPS trackers also monitor the heart rate, weight and other health metrics.
How Does a Microchip Work and What Does It Do?
The microchip is a very tiny integrated circuit which uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and interestingly does not come with a battery. The microchip is implanted inside the dog (usually over the shoulder), which some pet owners might not like.
The microchip has data about the dog and owner encrypted within it. When it is scanned, the scanner picks up the frequency emitted from the chip and displays it on a device. This chip can contain additional information as well, such as the vaccination schedule, breed and details about the dog’s veterinarian.
Even though it may result in inflammation in some dogs, the process is considered to be safe. However, be sure to find a qualified veterinarian so that no complications arise in the future.
What Do We Recommend?
If we were in your shoes, we would go for a combination of the two because when it comes to pets, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Although a microchip is practically useless unless in contact with a scanner, if your dog gets lost far away, it could tell the finder of any special requirements your dog may have. Also, unlike a GPS tracker, the chip cannot be removed or stolen. Even though you can’t get information about your dog’s location without a GPS tracker, using it with a microchip is a good option.
