When pet owners think of microchipping, they often think of puppies or kittens getting chipped during their first few months of life. But what if your dog or cat is already a senior? The answer from Premium Vet Care is always the same: it’s never too late to have your pet chipped. If you have just welcomed a senior rescue into your home or have simply never gotten around to having your pet microchipped, let us tell you why microchips matter, even for older pets.

Older Pets Still Get Lost

When pets age, they can become more vulnerable to getting lost. This can happen even if they’ve never run off before.

• Diminished vision or hearing makes it harder to respond to cues.
• Cognitive decline (such as canine or feline dementia) can cause disorientation.
• Slower movement and confusion can make finding their way back difficult.
• Panic during storms or fireworks may trigger escape behavior.

Even the calmest senior pet can slip out unnoticed and may not know how to return home. Senior pets without a microchip are at greater risk of being unidentified at animal shelters and considered strays. Most counties only require pets to be held for a matter of days, sometimes less than a week, before they can be placed for adoption.

Is Microchipping Safe for Senior Dogs and Cats?

Yes, the microchipping procedure is safe for pets of all ages. The chip is placed just under the skin using a needle during a wellness vet visit. It only takes seconds, but the injection does involve brief discomfort. This momentary pain is worth the increased chance of your pet coming home to you if they get lost.

Your senior pet may be slowing down, but their safety is still a top priority. Microchipping:

• Gives you peace of mind
• Keeps your pet connected to you
• Helps in emergencies (fires, hurricanes, evacuations)

This one-time procedure can make all the difference, no matter your pet’s age.

What If You’ve Adopted a Senior Pet?

Senior rescues may not always come microchipped. Or, they might have a chip that hasn’t been updated with your information. Best recommendations are to:

• Have a veterinarian scan for a microchip
• Transfer ownership to your name if needed
• Register or update contact info in the appropriate database

Not sure what microchip registry was used? If you have the microchip number (or the vet scans the number), you can use the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup tool to find out which database a microchip is currently registered in.

Choose Premium Vet Care for Mobile Pet Microchipping Around Plantation, FL

Microchipping isn’t just for the young. It’s a smart, caring choice for senior pets, too, especially as their needs change with age. Premium Vet Care makes the process easy with mobile microchipping for pets in areas around Plantation, Weston, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Don’t wait for your pet to get lost. Your senior pet deserves to spend the rest of their years with you. Book an appointment with us to have your senior cat or dog microchipped.