Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Cover Microchip?
“Pumpkin Pet Insurance covers 90% of microchipping costs! Protect your pet and ensure their safety with our comprehensive coverage.”
Pumpkin Pet Insurance is a well-known pet insurance provider in the United States, offering coverage for a wide range of pet-related expenses. A common concern of pet owners is to ensure the safety and well-being of their furry companions.
One aspect of this concern is microchipping, a valuable means of tracking down runaway pets and their owners. Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Cover Microchipping your dog or cat? The answer is yes!
Pumpkin Pet Insurance understands the importance of microchipping as a preventative measure for the safety of your beloved pets. Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers insurance coverage that can ease the financial burden of this procedure. Pumpkin Pet Insurance covers more than 90% of the cost of microchipping your dog or cat.
Microchipping involves implanting a tiny microchip under the animal’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The microchip contains a unique identification number linked to your details in a national database. If your pet goes missing, the microchip can be scanned by a vet or shelter so that they can contact you and find your pet.
The cost of microchipping can vary depending on your location and the provider you choose. But since Pumpkin Pet Insurance covers 90% of the cost, you can be sure that a large portion of the cost is covered, making this an affordable option for pet owners.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Waiting Period: What You Need to Know
It’s important to note that microchipping is not only a wise investment for your pet’s safety, but is also often required by local authorities and animal shelters. If this procedure is covered by your pet insurance, it can save you money and stress in the long run, and ensure that your pet has the best chance of being returned to you in the event of loss.
In addition to microchip insurance, Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers a range of insurance options to protect your pet’s health and well-being. These options typically include coverage for accidents, illness, routine treatment, etc. Check the specific conditions of your policy with Pumpkin Pet Insurance to understand the extent of your coverage.
Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Cover Microchip?
Everything You Need To Know About Microchipping In Dogs and Cats
Each year, over 10 million pets go missing, as estimated by American Humane. Unfortunately, only a mere 15% of dogs and a mere 2% of cats that end up in animal shelters without the aid of microchips or ID tags are fortunate enough to be reunited with their owners.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a devoted pet parent. Maybe your four-legged companion is curled up next to you right now, daydreaming about their next adventure around the neighborhood. If so, the statistics mentioned above may have been disconcerting. Fortunately, there exists a simple solution to prevent contributing to these troubling numbers: microchipping for dogs and cats, a safe and highly effective means of locating your pet should they ever become lost.
Understanding Microchipping:
Microchipping for pets involves a straightforward procedure where a veterinarian inserts a minuscule microchip beneath your pet’s skin. This microchip serves as a diminutive radio transponder that carries a distinct identification number specific to your beloved pet. It’s important to note that this device is no larger than a grain of rice, rendering it completely imperceptible to both you and your pet without specialized equipment.
After microchipping your pet, you’ll receive instructions on how to register the microchip and your contact information with a reputable microchip registry database. Some notable databases include Home Again, PetKey, AKC Reunite, Free Pet Microchip Registry, Found Animals, AVID, PetLink, 24PetWatch, Homeward Bound Pet, BeKind PetFind, and SmartTag.
According to a study featured in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), a mere 58% of microchipped pets were registered when animal shelters attempted to locate their owners. This leads to numerous missed opportunities for reuniting lost pets with their families. Hence, it is absolutely essential to register your pet’s microchip with a reputable database.
While microchipping is a valuable safety measure, combining it with other identification methods, such as an ID tag on their collar, offers the best assurance that your pet can find their way back home.
The Microchipping Procedure:
Microchipping is a swift procedure that can be performed by any licensed veterinarian. The microchip, measuring no more than 12mm in length, is inserted between the shoulder blades just beneath your pet’s skin. This can even be done during a regular check-up, employing a needle slightly larger than those used for vaccinations.
While some pets may feel slight discomfort, many are distracted enough to hardly notice the microchip insertion. The majority of these routine procedures are carried out smoothly, even with pets that are fully awake.
Most veterinarians have techniques to keep pets calm and comfortable during the procedure. Dr. Stacy Johnson, a resident veterinarian at Pumpkin, suggests the “art of distraction,” using a mix of kibble and treats during vaccinations, nail trims, and microchipping to make them almost imperceptible.
Although there might be some sensation, microchipping is akin to a routine shot, and since your pet likely has received vaccinations before, there should be no surprises during microchipping.
How Microchips Operate:
Electronic microchips emit a distinct sequence of radio waves when scanned. After registration, this transmission can be used to identify the lost pet and reveal the owner’s contact information, such as an email or phone number. Each microchip has a unique signature, akin to a special barcode for your furry companion.
It’s crucial that both the microchip and the microchip scanner are functioning correctly, and the registry in the chosen national database is up-to-date. Most cases of microchipped pets not being reunited with their owners stem from inaccurate or outdated registries.
Understanding the ISO Standard:
The term “ISO standard” you might have encountered pertains to a global effort to establish an identification system recognized by scanners worldwide. In the past, microchips for pets emitted different frequencies, which meant that a scanner recognizing one frequency might not identify another pet’s chip. Thanks to the ISO standard, pets traveling internationally or straying far from home can still be identified and reunited with their families.
Pet Pro Tip: Responsible pet owners should seriously consider pet insurance. Understanding how dog insurance works and what it covers can help you make informed decisions about your pet’s health and financial planning.
Dispelling Common Myths about Microchipping:
Some pet owners envision microchipping as a guaranteed method to locate their pets at any moment. However, scientists have yet to develop a GPS device safe for insertion into a living pet. Most location services necessitate battery-powered devices, which introduce logistical challenges.
Nonetheless, there are GPS tracking devices that can be attached to your pet’s collar. The best ones on the market, priced between $70 and $150, often include additional features like health monitoring and heart rate tracking. Nevertheless, these devices require regular charging, making microchipping the most reliable method for finding your lost pet once the battery depletes.
Potential Side Effects of Microchips:
In exceedingly rare circumstances, the technology supporting microchips can malfunction. Less than half of 1% of microchips are deemed ineffective, with most issues arising from older models incompatible with modern scanners. Modern universal scanners can read nearly any radio frequency, minimizing the chance of error.
Concerns about safety are paramount for pet owners. According to PetMD, microchipping your dog or cat ranks among the safest and most routinely performed procedures. Complications are exceptionally rare, and while anecdotal evidence of cancerous tumors appearing at the insertion site exists, there is no conclusive evidence linking microchips to such issues. The benefits of microchipping far outweigh the risks.
Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Cover Microchip? FAQs
Can Microchips Be Removed?
In rare instances, a microchip can be removed from a microchipped pet. However, this procedure is more complex than the initial insertion and typically requires surgery. Veterinarians usually decline removal unless there is a significant health concern for your pet. Moreover, it is illegal for anyone other than the animal’s owner to request microchip removal, so there is no need to worry about unauthorized removal.
Is Microchipping Worth It?
It is easy to weigh the pros and cons of microchipping your pet now, but reversing time is impossible if your pet goes missing. Consider this: Dogs without microchips in animal shelters are reunited with their owners only 22% of the time, while microchipped dogs find their way back home 52% of the time.
The statistics for cats are even more striking. Cats without microchips in shelters are returned to their owners only 2% of the time, while microchipped cats are reunited with their families nearly 38% of the time, according to a study published by the JAVMA.
According to AKC Reunite, pets with microchips are up to 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners if they go missing. The data is crystal clear: microchipping your dog or cat significantly enhances the odds of reuniting with them if they wander off. Are there any downsides to microchipping?
For new pet owners seeking a secure and happy home for their furry companions, be sure to consult our new puppy checklist and new kitten checklist for additional tips.
Do Indoor Cats Need Microchips?
As mentioned earlier, microchipped cats have a higher chance of returning home if they escape. Some cat owners believe that if their feline friend remains indoors most of the time or exclusively.
Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Cover Microchip? Conclusion
If you’re considering microchipping your dog or cat and are a Pumpkin Pet Insurance policyholder, you can take advantage of their coverage, which includes reimbursing 90% of the cost of microchipping.
This demonstrates their commitment to helping pet owners ensure the safety and well-being of their furry family members, and it’s just one of the many benefits of having pet insurance through Pumpkin.
Thanks for reading “Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Cover Microchip?” Also read: How Much Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Cost