Does an indoor cat need a microchip?

Our question this week was:

Dr. Debra – I have an indoor only cat and my vet still suggested a microchip. Is that necessary?

Bonnie B.

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote asking if a microchip is necessary for an indoor-only cat. This is not a simple question and is really based on opinion. Probably different people will give you different answers.

An indoor only cat should never get out and never have a NEED for a microchip. However, cats can get out and if they do – there is a very low percentage that get reunited with their owners because they DON”T have I.D. tags or microchips.

I think there is an advantage of having a microchip. If not, then I’d get your cat used to a collar and tag just to be safe. Make sure the collar is a break-away style so it won’t choke him if it ever gets caught on anything and the ID tag has your phone number.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

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