What is microchip migration?

Microchipping and registration is one of the most effective ways to ensure your pet can be identified if they’re ever lost—but not all microchips are the same. While recommended microchips often come with an anti-migration coating to help them stay in place under the skin, older chips or some lower-quality ones may not, which means they can migrate/move to different parts of the body over the lifespan of the pet. This can make the microchip harder to detect during routine scanning and may delay the safe reunification of a lost or missing pet.

The correct placement for the microchip is between the pet’s shoulder blades.

Why microchips migrate

In years past, microchips didn’t include anti-migration technology. When implanted they sometimes slowly shift through the tissue to other parts of the body. This movement, called microchip migration, can result in the chip being missed if only the standard scan area is checked.

A real example: The wandering chip

One small dog had his microchip migrate all the way down to his foot. A typical scan over the back in the standard “S” pattern revealed nothing. It was only after scanning down all four limbs and around the chest area that the microchip finally showed up.

Tip: If you're scanning an older dog or a pet with an unknown chip history and the chip doesn’t immediately show up, make sure to:

• Scan down each leg
• Check the chest and neck
• Be thorough—you never know where it might have gone!

Petkey microchips: built to stay put

The microchips we supply through Petkey are designed to stay where they’re implanted. They meet ISO 11784/11785 FDX-B standards and are:

• Made from biocompatible glass
• Manufactured in the EU with 100% quality control
• Coated with Parylene, an anti-migration treatment that helps anchor the chip in place

Microchip sizes for different pets

We offer two sizes tailored for different animals:

• 1.4mm x 8mm: For pets under 15kg when fully grown (mini microchips)
• 2.1mm x 12mm: For medium to large dog breeds, livestock, and larger domestic mammals

Both types are compatible with standard scanning systems used by veterinarians, animal shelters, and rescues.

Why do pets get scanned?

Pets are typically scanned for microchips when:

• They are found after going missing
• They are brought into a shelter or vet clinic as a stray
• There is a change of ownership and the microchip details need to be verified
• The pet is having routine checkups or being reunited with owners after an emergency

A microchip allows animal shelters, veterinary clinics, rescue organizations and other pet professionals to quickly identify the pet and therefore contact the registered owner—which can be lifesaving.

Register with confidence

Once implanted, our microchips provide permanent identification and can be registered with Petkey, a trusted microchip supply and registration database. Registration ensures that if your pet is ever lost and scanned, your contact information will be readily available to reunite you quickly and safely. Register a pet here. 

Pet professionals

Sign up to Petkey Pro and microchip with confidence. Sign up here and learn more today.