How Long Does a Pet Microchip Last?
A pet microchip is designed to last about 25 years, which is longer than the lifespan of most dogs and cats, so one chip normally lasts for life. The chip has no battery and doesn't expire. What can "expire" is your registration information, so keep your contact details current with the registry and ask your vet to scan the chip at checkups.
Pet microchips are passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices. They have no battery and no moving parts, which is why they last so long.
How long microchips last
Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) says microchips are designed to work for 25 years. Because a chip has no power source of its own, it doesn't run down: it is powered briefly by the scanner's low-energy radio signal each time it's read, and then it transmits its ID number, according to the AVMA.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Designed lifespan | About 25 years |
| Battery | None |
| Does it need replacing? | Normally no; one chip lasts a pet's life |
| Does the registration expire? | Depends on the registry; some free, some one-time, some annual |
| Can it stop working? | Rarely; a vet can check by scanning it |
Do microchips expire?
The chip itself doesn't. But a chip is only useful if the number leads to you. The AVMA stresses that the chip holds only a registration number, so the owner's information in the database must be kept up to date. The JAVMA study of more than 7,700 strays found that incorrect or missing owner information was the most common reason microchipped animals weren't returned home.
If your registry charges an annual fee, the "expiration" you might see is the end of a paid membership with extra services, not the chip itself. Many registries keep basic contact details even without a membership; check yours.
Can a microchip move or fail?
The chip usually bonds to the tissue around it within about 24 hours, but it can occasionally migrate from between the shoulder blades to another spot, Humane World for Animals notes. That's why scanners are passed over the whole body. Chips rarely fail. The AVMA recommends having the chip scanned during routine wellness exams to make sure it still reads.
Check the chip
The AVMA and AAHA promote August 15 as Check the Chip Day. Use AAHA's universal pet microchip lookup tool with your pet's chip number to see which registry it's in, then confirm your contact details.
Does a microchip track my pet?
No. A microchip is not a GPS device and cannot show where your pet is. It only identifies your pet when a scanner reads it. For real-time location, you'd need a separate GPS collar.
See how much microchipping costs and find veterinarians near you.
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This article is general information for pet owners, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Prices vary by city and clinic; always ask your veterinarian or provider about your own pet.
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