Picking a Pet ID Tag for Your Chihuahua

Choosing a pet ID tag for your Chihuahua is like buying an insurance policy – you do so with the devout wish that you’ll never use it. The “possible price” of not having a pet ID tag is more expensive than the “real price” of purchasing the pet tag itself.

The type of pet identification tag that you buy is vital, so take five minutes or so to think it through. Whimsically picking a collar tag just because it’s inexpensive or trendy usually proves to be unwise, in the long term.

Think about the following before purchasing any pet id tag for your Chihuahua:
1.What is the amount of risk to your Chihuahua?
Lost Chihuahuas are certainly common – we have all noticed “Lost Chihuahua!” signs plastered around the city, or deceased Chihuahuas lying by the edge of the road. If your Chihuahua is a pro at jumping your fence, or cannot help following a scent, or youthful and spry, or is not properly trained, the chance of a missing Chihuahua is high.

But losing your Chihuahua isn’t the only possibility.

Some Chihuahuas are stolen. A pet thief may take Fifi or Fido in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in dog battles (even small or gentle dogs are at risk – they can be used as “bait”), or for use in satanic rituals.

And what is the risk to your Chihuahua if something happens to you, the owner?

If you’re a senior adult with a Chihuahua, particularly if you live by yourself or are in ill health, there’s a good chance that at some point someone else may need to care for your furry friend, perhaps with little notice. And anyone can be struck by tragedy or disaster that leaves you incapable of caring for your companion.

In this instance, will your Chihuahua’s new or temporary steward know that Spot hates cats, or needs medication, or even whether or not Max is potty trained? A pet identification that contains more than your phone number and name would be extremely beneficial.

2.What amount of risk are you comfortable with?
Some Chihuahuas are simply more important to their owners, and the risk of losing that particular animal demands a specific, higher priced kind of pet identification tag. Risk is proportional to value.

Keep in mind that there is more than one way to determine the value of your Chihuahua. It may be financial (e.g., a purebred Chihuahua) or functional (e.g., a guide dog).

However for most Chihuahua owners, the relationoship attachment they have with their Chihuahua determines its value. For many owners, Chihuahuas are family, dearly loved and impossible to replace.

3.From your responses to the two previous queries, what do you require of a pet identification tag?

Pet ID tags come in varying sizes, shapes and materials and can contain varying amounts of info. Some have artwork or logos, also. Most pet identification tags are designed to be attached to a collar.

At a minimum, a pet identification tag should contain the address, phone number and name of the Chihuahua’s owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are light but easily chewed. Stainless steel tags don’t rust or fade and are durable. These traditional types of tags can gotten from any vet or pet store. They’re inexpensive however the amount of information they hold is limited to the size of the tag.

Luckily, there are many more options for pet identification tags for your Chihuahua these days, such as microchipping, tattooing, digital display tags, pet registry web sites and voice recorded pet identification tags.

One of the newest entries in the pet ID game is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your pet’s collar (or is attached to their kennel) and which holds 64MB of data (including comprehensive diet and medical information). The tiny USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be used in any computer, where it is easily updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your veterinarian or pet sitter. There are also bluetooth devices for tracking, but their range is low, because of bluetooth technological limits.

Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Chihuahuas

Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂