PetSmart Microchip Cost
The Banfield Pet Hospital, located inside of most PetSmart locations, offers microchip services for both your cat and pet. To find a location, you can do so by clicking here.
How much does it cost to microchip a dog or cat at PetSmart?
The costs to microchip your dog or cat at a local PetSmart really came down to the location you choose and if you’re an Optimum Wellness Plan member, but from the calls we made, it appeared the costs were mostly the same unless they were offering some sort of promotion at the time. Depending on these promotions, the costs could range anywhere from as little as $35 to about $80, plus an office examination fee in some cases, but to be certain of the costs at the time, we highly recommend you contact your local PetSmart for exact information since Optimum Wellness Plan members, for example, could save up to 20%.
For example, at the time of this publishing, we found a $10 off microchip services coupon via the official website, and we also found a free examination for first-time customers as well. Chances are if you’re a first-time customer, you can bypass the exam fee and only pay for the microchip in most cases.
Aside from the initial implantation, we did find that there is also an annual fee of about $20, according to some reviewers on Yelp. Again, this couldn’t be confirmed as everyone will experience different plans and price points, so it’s best to visit or call a local location for more information.
How microchipping works
A microchip is a permanent form of identification, about the size of a grain of rice. Implanted beneath the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, it’s able to store a unique code that can only be detected by a scanner at most shelters and vet offices. This code, when retrieved, is then matched to a pet-recovery database, which will share the pet owner’s contact information, showing them who the pet belongs to.
The entire procedure is virtually painless, similar to a vaccination and will take less than seconds as it’s implanted between the shoulder blades. After the chip is implanted, you will then have to create an account with the pet-recovery database the vet used and input your contact information. Since there are multiple brands of microchips on the market, this process can vary, but it’s so important you keep this contact information up-to-date.
Pet Microchipping overview
What it does
- The microchips used are about the size of a grain of rice and have very small electrical components
- They are used to pick up a string of unique numbers, which are then connected to a database with the owner’s contact information
- Statistics show an increased chance of finding your pet in the case of running away
- Most vet offices and even shelters have a universal scanner on hand that’s able to scan a microchip, connecting it to the database
- The entire process takes seconds, with most pets not even flinching during the procedure
- Microchipping is permanent, and these chips are even hard to find during a surgical procedure
What it doesn’t do
- It is not a GPS, where you’re able to track your pet in real-time
- It will not broadcast a signal and no power source is needed
- There’s no guarantee your pet will come home as the person who does find your pet needs to bring it into a shelter or vet’s office to scan
- All microchips are not created equally as there are different brands
- This is not considered a surgery
- Microchips are hard to remove if need be
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Average Reported Cost: $0
