Picking a Pet Identification Tag for The Shiba Inu

Buying a pet ID tag for your Shiba Inu is like buying an insurance policy – you do so with the devout wish that you won’t use it. The “possible price” of not having a pet ID tag is more costly than the “actual price” of purchasing the pet tag itself.

The type of pet ID tag that you buy is vital, so take five minutes or so to consider it. Whimsically choosing a collar tag just because it’s low cost or trendy often ends up being a regret, long-term.

Think about the following before picking any pet id tag for your Shiba Inu:
1.What is the amount of risk to your Shiba Inu?
Missing Shiba Inus are certainly common – we have all noticed “Lost Shiba Inu!” signs setup around the city, or deceased dogs lying by the edge of the road. If your Shiba Inu is a pro at jumping your fence, or can’t help following a scent, or youthful and energetic, or isn’t correctly trained, the possibility of a lost Shiba Inu is high.

But losing your Shiba Inu isn’t the only danger.

Sometimes Shiba Inus are stolen. A pet thief may take Rover or Spot hoping to get a reward for its return, or to use in dog fights (even small or gentle dogs are susceptible – they can be used for “bait”), or for use in satanic rituals.

And what is the danger to your Shiba Inu if something were to happen to you, the owner?

If you’re a senior adult with a Shiba Inu, especially if you live by yourself or are in ill health, there’s a high chance that at some point someone else may need to care for your Shiba Inu, maybe with short notice. And anyone can be struck by tragedy or disaster that leaves you unable to care for your companion.

In this case, will your Shiba Inu’s temporary or new steward know that Spot hates cats, or requires medicine, or even whether or not Max is potty trained? A pet identification that contains more than your phone number and name would be very helpful.

2.What amount of risk are you comfortable with?
Some Shiba Inus are simply more important to their owners, and the chance of losing that pet demands a specific, more expensive type of pet identification tag. Risk is proportional to value.

Realize that there is more than one way to determine the value of your Shiba Inu. It may be financial (e.g., a purebred Shiba Inu) or occupational (e.g., a guide dog).

However for most Shiba Inu owners, the emotional attachment they have to their Shiba Inu determines its value. For many, Shiba Inus are members of the family, dearly loved and impossible to replace.

3.From your responses to the two previous questions, what do you need in a pet identification tag?

Pet identification tags come in varying materials, shapes and sizes and can contain varying amounts of information. Some contain artwork or logos, as well. Most pet identification tags are designed to be hung from a collar.

At a bare minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the address, phone number and name of the Shiba Inu’s owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are light but chewed easily. Stainless steel tags don’t rust or fade and are durable. These customary types of tags can bought from any animal doctor or pet store. They’re economical however the amount of info they can display is limited to the size of the tag.

Luckily, you have many more options for pet ID tags for your Shiba Inu these days, such as microchipping, tattooing, digital display tags, pet registry web sites and voice recorded pet id tags.

One of the newest entrants in the pet ID market is the high-tech USB drive that hangs off your pet’s collar (or is attached to their kennel) and which holds 64MB of data (including complete diet and medical information). The tiny USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be plugged into any computer, where it is easily updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your vet or pet sitter. There also exist bluetooth devices for tracking, but their range is severely limited, due to bluetooth technological limits.

Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Shiba Inus

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