Jun 22, 2023
The 21 Best Dog ID Tags of 2023 to Keep Your Pet Safe
The best dog ID tags can make it easier to reunite with your pet if they get loose. In addition to keeping dogs safe, pet ID tags can add a bit of flair to their essential gear. We've compiled a
The best dog ID tags can make it easier to reunite with your pet if they get loose. In addition to keeping dogs safe, pet ID tags can add a bit of flair to their essential gear. We've compiled a collection of ID tags, from simple engraved tags to cute custom IDs that are as functional as they are adorable.
An ID tag should be attached to one of the best dog collars. But remember that we don't recommend attaching a leash to a collar on walks. Choosing one of the best dog harnesses to attach your pup's leash to during exercise is the safest way to let your pup strut their stuff.
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Yes. "Having an animal with accurate, up-to-date ID information is probably the most important step that pet owners can take to improving the chances that they can reunite with their animals if anything happens and they go missing," says Dr. Amie Burling, an assistant teaching professor of shelter medicine at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and board-certified specialist in veterinary preventive medicine.
Dr. Leslie Sinn, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, says that an owner's name and phone number should be included on the tag. If there is space for an address, we also recommend including that.
It's best to keep your dog's ID tag visible even when your pup might be bundled up in one of the best dog raincoats during poor weather.
Burling and Sinn recommend microchipping your animal to increase the chances of finding your dog if they get lost. Microchipping is a process where a small chip is placed between a pet's shoulder blades. Burling says this is a small and relatively painless procedure with enormous benefits if your dog becomes separated from you.
To avoid potential pain associated with the procedure, Sinn says a good time to place a microchip is during a routine medical procedure when an animal is under anesthesia.
There are various microchip companies, and your veterinarian can recommend a specific one for your pet. Keep in mind that a microchip is not a tracking device. Shelters and veterinary clinics scan stray animals for microchips, and each chip has a unique identifying number. If your lost pet has a chip, the shelter or clinic will contact your microchip company, which will reach out to you using the contact information they have on file. Make sure to update the company whenever you change your phone number or address.
Even dogs who aren't runners can get loose, says Burling. Besides the possibility of a dog escaping when they're off leash or during travel, Burling says that dogs with anxious behavior may be more prone to escaping.
If a dog does get loose, Sinn recommends calling your local animal shelters and veterinary clinics, both of which may be able to post a notice to help aid your search. She also says that checking neighborhood watch communities can be helpful. If you find your lost dog, it's essential not to chase them. Chasing a lost dog can trigger their "fight or flight" response and encourage them to run farther away from you.
Burling says it's important to work with anxious dogs to help them de-stress inside the home and around entry and exit points to minimize the chance of them escaping due to fear. "It's really important when working with those animals to be using really positive methods of desensitizing and associating anything that might be very mildly distressing to the animal," she says. Using treats can slowly help create positive associations with those stressors, she adds.
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