Microchipping your dog is recommended by most veterinarians and animal protection groups. The Humane Society of the United States usually places a microchip beneath the skin of each dog it rehomes to ensure future safety. Then, there are GPS trackers. These more advanced tools are different from microchips and the two technologies are not currently combined. Today’s best dog GPS tracker devices are collars equipped with technology to pinpoint the location of your dog. The simple answer to the question, ‘does a dog microchip have GPS?’ is no.
Keep tabs on your pet with real-time GPS trackers.
What is a Microchip?
A dog microchip is one of the most commonly used pieces of technology in the pet care industry. This is a low-cost option for a pet parent to keep track of a dog. Instead of being able to track a dog in real-time, though, dog microchips contain a unique identification code. A veterinarian scans the microchip injected beneath your dog’s skin when they are lost and retrieves the unique identification number. Your veterinarian will cross-reference the identification code with the information on a database to help identify your lost dog. Dog microchips increase the chances of reuniting a pet parent with their lost dog.
Benefits of Microchips
Microchips are a low-cost option for dog owners who want to be reunited with their pooch if it is lost. The microchip is placed in position using a syringe and produces the same feeling as a traditional vaccination shot when inserted. The statistics regarding dog microchips show how impressive the technology has become. Reports say the number of dogs without microchips returned to their owners when lost was just 22 percent. In contrast, 52 percent of microchipped dogs were returned to their owners. A dog owner can add notes about caring for their pup to the microchip database when they are registering their dog.
A pet microchip is not foolproof and can run into problems. A dog with a heavy metal collar could run into problems when a vet tries to scan its microchip. Dog owners need to keep the information about their pups up to date if they hope to be reunited with them when lost. Fat deposits can also form around the microchip and limit the ability of your vet to successfully scan the information.
What is a GPS Tracking Device?
How does a dog tracker work? A GPS tracking device you equip to your dog’s collar uses satellite technology to determine their location. The tracking abilities of your GPS tracker are based on the use of an app or a website. When you log into your app and search for the location of your dog, you send a signal to a satellite. The signal bounces from the satellite to your dog’s collar and then returns to the source of the signal. The exact location of your dog is then available to you within seconds of your request. Newer technologies have developed these trackers to have geofencing feature, as seen in today’s best GPS dog fence devices.
The Pros and Cons of GPS Trackers
The benefits of using GPS technology include being able to pinpoint your pup’s location efficiently. GPS technology is more efficient in its use of technology to pinpoint the location of your pup in real time. The equipment costs for GPS tracking technology are not as high as for other forms of tracking technology.
The cons of GPS tracking devices include a potential monthly subscription to access the app or website of choice. Your dog’s collar will be battery-powered and need charging at regular intervals. GPS technology is not perfect and can be limited in its accuracy by trees and other obstructions between the device and the satellite.
ID Tags
A microchip placed under your dog’s skin is known as a radio frequency identification device. The idea is that a vet can scan the microchip placed under your pet’s skin and obtain information about your address and any healthcare notes. The latest RFID tags are being created to be worn on the collar of your puppy. The ID tags are equipped with all the information you need and do not require a battery. The technology is activated by microchip scanners used to identify your pup. When you move to a new home or change your phone number you can simply buy a new ID stage equipped with FRID technology to replace the old.
Despite the rise of microchipping and GPS trackers, it is recommended you use an ID tag as a form of identification. The traditional ID tag remains the first line of defense against losing your dog [1]. Adding an RFID tag to your dog’s collar will help you to keep track of your dog when she is lost. A traditional or RFID tag will help a stranger to use your dog’s name and soothe her when she is far from home.
Do I Need to Track my Dog?
We have all seen our dogs chase a squirrel or a car without warning. The fear of losing your pet dog is enough to drive you to add a microchip to your dog’s vaccination record. Microchips are not a good way of tracking your dog in real time.
GPS trackers and tracking technology have come a long way in the last few years. A tracker attached to their collar can help you to keep your dog in your yard by setting invisible borders. The use of invisible dog fences includes emitting noise and light to stop her from roaming out of your yard humanely. If you fear that your dog will walk out of your yard and get lost, a GPS tracker is your best option. Using an app you can track the location of your dog within a few feet. GPS trackers do not usually require a Wi-Fi connection to maintain a link to the app installed on your mobile phone.
This content was originally published here.
