Whether you are considering bringing a new cat into your home or have had your furry friend for years, it’s important to be clued up on the latest cat microchip laws. As of the 10th of June 2024, microchipping your cat became a legal requirement - but what does this mean for you and your pet?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the cat microchip law and answer common questions, including ‘Do older cats have to be microchipped?’ to ensure you’re compliant with the latest legislation. We’ll also cover the hidden benefits of microchipping your cat - microchip cat feeders and microchip cat flaps, designed to make life better for you and your pet.
What is cat microchipping?
Cat microchipping involves inserting a tiny chip under a cat’s skin that contains a unique code that links to a special database with your contact details.
If your little moggie has been on an adventure and can’t find their way home, a vet or authorised person with a special scanner can use the chip to find you. A quick phone call, and the two of you can be reunited, and all is good in the world again!
The chip is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. It’s injected into the back of the neck and sits just under the skin between the shoulder blades.
It’s painless for the cat to have the chip injected; once it’s in place, they won’t even know it’s there.
Why should you get your cat microchipped?
Getting your cat microchipped is now a legal requirement; non-compliance could result in a fine of up to £500. But on a more personal level, microchips ensure that you can be reunited with your furry family member as soon as possible should they wander off or lose their way home.
Unless you’re exceptionally lucky, without a form of identification, your cat could end up in an animal rescue centre, and we don’t want to leave anything to chance when it comes to our precious pets! Collars and tags are great, but they can get damaged, fall off, or be lost.
Do cats have to be microchipped?
Yes, cat microchipping is mandatory. After the cat microchip law was enacted in the UK on 10th June 2024, any cat over 20 weeks old must have a microchip.
Failure to have your cat chipped can result in a £500 fine, so it’s of the utmost importance to do so. Even worse, should you lose your cat, reuniting the two of you is much more complicated if it isn’t chipped.
It makes a lot of sense to get your cat chipped and kept safe, especially if they love to explore and roam the area.
Do older cats have to be microchipped?
The cat microchip law requires all cats, including older cats, to have a microchip. This also includes indoor cats and cats with health conditions. However, there is a rare exception: a cat shouldn’t be microchipped if it could seriously harm its health.
What do you need to do?
If your cat doesn’t have one already, you need to make sure your cat has a microchip, or you could be at risk of a hefty fine.
As this is an active law, we recommend getting it done immediately if your cat is not chipped. You never know when they might roam too far or get lost on an adventure, and we’d like to do everything we can to prevent this from happening!
How to get your cat microchipped
Getting your cat microchipped is easy. Simply request a microchip appointment at the vet, and they’ll take care of the rest.
If they’ve already been treated, it’s well worth making a specific appointment for the chip. This is especially true if you have a curious cat who loves to wander the neighbourhood!
Does microchipping hurt cats?
The microchipping process is painless for cats; your little one won’t even know it’s there for the rest of their lives.
Having your cat microchipped when they’re being vaccinated means they won’t even notice the injection. If you have it done while they’re being spayed or neutered, the vet will chip them while they’re under anaesthetic, so it won’t affect them at all!
How much does it cost to microchip a cat?
Costs vary between vets, but on average, you should expect to pay £30 to £40 for the microchip and the database entry.
Some vets may combine the cost with vaccinations or neutering, while charities and pet rescue organisations can do it for a reduced rate or for free.
Whatever it costs, it’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing you can be reunited should you ever lose your little one!
The importance of microchipping your cat
Even if the cat microchip law weren’t in place, we’d be urging all pet owners to get their cat microchipped.
Unfortunately, there are untold numbers of cats who wander too far, get lost, or can’t get home and end up in animal rescue centres. Those centres are already exceptionally busy, so anything we can do to help them is a good thing.
Plus, nobody wants to lose a family member if it can be helped. If something as simple and as cheap as a microchip could prevent that, we’re all for it!
Innovative microchip products at Closer Pets
At Closer Pets, we’re committed to making life easier for you and your pets and hope you now feel informed about the cat microchip law.
Not only does microchipping help to reunite you with your fuzzy friend if they get lost, but it also means that you can take advantage of the many innovative microchip products on the market!
Here at Closer Pets, we offer a great range of cat products, including microchip cat flaps that use cutting-edge technology to read your cat’s microchip and only grant them access, keeping other cats out.
Contact us
If you’d like to know more about our impressive cat microchip products, be sure to get in touch with us. A member of our team will be more than happy to give you a helping hand!