Average Microchip Cost for a Dog or Cat in the UK
We researched microchipping quotes from around the UK and found that it costs around £14.50 to get your dog or cat microchipped from a private vet. Prices in our study ranged from £9.95 up to £20, so some vets charge twice as much as others for the service. This initial fee pays for the implantation of the microchip and initial registration. For the microchip procedure, a chip the size of a grain of rice is quickly inserted under your dogs skin using a needle—feeling similar to getting a vaccination.
| How Much to Microchip a Dog or Cat? | Private Vet Fees |
|---|---|
| Low Price | £9.95 |
| High Price | £20 |
| Average Price | £14.50 |
Most pet owners will pay around £15 for microchipping
Some vets offer a biotherm microchip with capability to measure your dogs temperature. Reviews on biotherm microchips are mixed, however, as to the reliability of the temperature readings. Even with a biotherm chip, your vet might still need to take your pets temperature the traditional way for an accurate reading. Biotherm microchips cost around £18, a touch more than a regular microchip.
To encourage pet owners to microchip their dogs, three UK charities in the UK offer free microchipping for dogs: Battersea Dogs & Cats, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust.
Technically speaking, Blue Cross asks pet owners to contribute what they can towards microchipping, but there is no minimum charge. For those who cannot afford to make a donation, microchipping is free.
How much does microchipping a pet cost?
In the UK you can expect to pay anywhere between £9 and £20, depending on where you live. On average, however, the costs are in the region of £14.50. This initial fee pays for the implantation of the microchip and initial registration.
Rescue centres, vets and charities occasionally have special offers or even provide the service for free on certain days. Otherwise, you can check with your local RSPCA to find out if you qualify to have your dog microchipped at a reduced fee.
To encourage pet owners to microchip their dogs, many animal shelters and UK charities like Battersea Dogs & Cats, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust offer free microchipping for dogs.
While anyone can get a free microchip for dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats and Dogs Trust, only people who meet means-tested conditions and live in a catchment area can get free microchips from the Blue Cross.
There may be a charity or event running in your local area offering microchipping at a reduced cost or even free.
For cats, microchipping is not a legal requirement. However, it is advisable if you want to ensure the safety of your furry feline.
And it doesnt cost much, with the average price being £15-20.
Where can I get my dog microchipped and how much will it cost?
It costs about £10 to £15 to get your dog microchipped by a vet or vet nurse, and some dog groomers, dog walkers and pet sitters offer this service too. Make sure the person who microchips your dog is qualified to do so as your dog may suffer if the person is not properly trained.
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. They are put under the skin using an implanter, like this.
Blue Cross microchips dogs, as well as cats and rabbits, for free. Contact your nearest Blue Cross rehoming centre or animal hospital to book an appointment.
How much does it cost to microchip a puppy?
If you are transferring an animal into your name from the breeder using a transfer code, the charge for you will depend upon the account type they have chosen. When you purchase an animal from a breeder who has a premium breeder account you will have the option to register your details free of charge into a basic account. If you are registering an animal from a breeder who has a basic breeder account, you will be asked to pay the £9.95 fee which will in turn give you a premium account.
If you are transferring an animal into your name from a previous keeper (not the breeder) using a transfer code then you will be asked to pay the £9.95 fee which will in turn give you a premium account.
This is a one off payment that then gives the benefits of a premium account as below:
* The ability to add Vet contact details as a back up to your own as well as vaccination records
* The recording of temporary addresses if your dog goes away with you in the UK or if they stay with a kennels or family member whilst you are away
* Should your pet go missing, alerts are sent out to our Lost and Found Network and posters can be downloaded
If you do not have a registration/transfer code AND the breeder/keeper has not given Animal Tracker permission to generate a code on their behalf, or the microchip is blank, then a direct registration will need to be submitted – this is £9.95 for a basic account, or £15.00 for a premium account.
I am already the keeper on a microchip but need to make a change to my contact details.
If you have a basic pet owner account it means that either when you changed the microchip registration from the breeder to yourself using a transfer code it was free of charge, or if you did not use a registration/transfer code then you opted for the basic membership when registering. We hold this data for reunification purposes (24/7 phone for Vets, Dog Wardens and Pet Owners) and for compliance with the Microchipping of Dogs Legislation as required by DEFRA.
If you need to change any of your contact details you would need a premium account. This is a one off payment that then gives the benefits of a premium membership as below:
* The ability to add Vet contact details as a back up to your own as well as vaccination records
* The recording of temporary addresses if your dog goes away with you in the UK or if they stay with a kennels or family member whilst you are away
* Should your pet go missing, alerts are sent out to our Lost & Found Network and posters can be downloaded
When a registration/transfer code is used to register yourself as the keeper then this premium account is offered at point of initial registration for a discounted one off payment of £9.95, or at a later date at a one off payment of £15.00.
If you do not want to pay to have a premium account then you can provide us with your new contact details and we can add these as an admin note. You would need to be aware that if an authority, such as a Vet or Animal Warden, wanted to run a compliance check during an appointment, or if the animal was to be found, then they wouldnt be able to access this information themselves instantly. Instead it would be a case of contacting us by either calling or submitting an email request and this could cause a delay in reunification. [Please note that the microchip would need to be registered in your name initially to allow a note to be added with updated information.