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Average Cost to Microchip a Dog or Cat UK 2024
To help lost or stray dogs be united with their owners, microchipping is compulsory under the law by the time dogs are 8 weeks old—otherwise owners could be hit with a £500 fine. How much will it cost to get your dog or cat microchipped? We've surveyed vets around the UK to find out. We've also found locations where some dogs can get a free microchip.
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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 dog's 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 |
Some vets offer a biotherm microchip with capability to measure your dog's 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 pet's temperature the traditional way for an accurate reading. Biotherm microchips cost around £18, a touch more than a regular microchip.
Free Microchipping for Dogs
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.
| Where to Microchip Your Dog for Free | |
|---|---|
| Battersea Dogs & Cats |
|
| Blue Cross |
|
| 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.
Eligibility for Free Charity Dog Microchipping
While anyone is eligible for free dog microchipping from Battersea Dogs & Cats and Dogs Trust, only those meeting certain means-tested requirements and live in a catchment area are eligible for free microchips from the Blue Cross.
| Free Dog Microchipping Eligibility | |
|---|---|
| Battersea Dogs & Cats | Available to anyone |
| Blue Cross | Pet owners must live in a catchment area and be on one of:
|
| Dogs Trust | Available to anyone |
"Free" Microchipping as part of a Health Club
By joining your vet's pet health club, you'll pay a monthly fee in exchange for vaccinations, flea & worm treatment and other discounts or perks—for instance, in some cases a pet health club provides free or reduced-cost microchipping. The cost of a pet health club membership can range anywhere from £11.99 a month for a small dog up to £22.50 a month for a giant dog.
Whether or not a health club is a good deal for you depends on how much you typically pay for vaccinations and flea & worm treatments. Generally speaking, a pet owner could save £30 or so each year on preventative care and check ups, plus get the value of a free or discounted microchipping.
Once your pet is microchipped, you'll need to register the microchip with your details. For more information on the different UK microchip databases and the costs to register or change the details associated with your pet's chip number, please see our article, How to Change Owner or Address on a Pet Microchip.