Having a dog ID tag for your pup is very important. Just like how humans have to carry a valid means of identification, your pet should have one too, and since they don’t carry wallets and purses, a dog ID tag attached to his leash is ideal. We zealously hope that our pups don’t break out of their leashes or run out through the front door, but if that happens, a dog ID tag is one of the fastest ways of getting your dog back home. Most dog owners will agree that having a dog ID tag is important, but not all dog owners will actually allow their pet to wear it all the time.
The basic goal of a dog ID tag is to identify a dog with its owner in case of an emergency. Sadly, we all hear stories of people losing their dogs because they were not properly tagged, making it difficult to trace the dog’s rightful owner. If your dog wanders off, the neighbors, police, and even strangers can notify you through the ID tag. But if your dog has no tag, he can get picked up by animal control and sent to a shelter, making it difficult to trace your pup. Visit our collection of ID tags here. Let’s dive into the importance of dog ID tags:
The importance of dog ID tags
Safety
For safety reasons, many dog owners choose to engrave their contact information on their dog's ID tags. Your dog may get lost during walks, travel, or unexpected events. A well-detailed ID tag will increase your chances of getting your pup returned to you. A dog ID tag will help prevent your pup from being sent to a shelter unnecessarily.
Health
A well-detailed dog ID tag can help communicate the health needs of your pup to any stranger who finds your dog wandering around. If your dog suffers from arthritis, breathing problems, or eating disorders, you can mention it in the ID tag. Anyone nice enough to find your dog might want to take him home before deciding to trace the owner, so it is ideal that you let anyone know how to easily care for your pup.
Country licensing
Before bringing your dog home, most cities will require that you get your dog registered and give it up-to-date vaccinations. You can learn regarding dog licensing here: dog licensing in US A dog ID tag will help you stay on track with your dog's health care and help animal control identify your dog if the need arises. Some cities even distribute ID tags with vaccination information and license numbers, but you can get a personalized dog ID tag and include the necessary information.
With the multitude of ID tags out there, here are some of the different types of dog ID tags available:
Types of dog ID tags
There are several dog ID tags to choose from, each with its own advantages. Some of which include,
Hanging Dog ID Tags
This is the most common type of dog ID tag. They are usually made with plastic, resin, and stainless steel. Attachment clips are used to attach the tag to the collar, and they are usually very easy to use. Your contact and your pet's information can be engraved on the front and back. But they can be quite noisy and dangling when your pup runs around the house. Although this is the most commonly used dog ID tag among dog owners, it is risky as they can easily come off and the clips/rings can get hooked on a branch when your dog is playing outside. This type of dog ID tag should be used when you can comfortably monitor your pup's movement.
Slide-On ID tags
Instead of a ring or dangle, this type of dog ID tag has slits through which the collar slides to keep the ID tag flat along the collar. It is quite easy to use but has limited space for information. Your contact and dog's information can only be engraved in front as the other side is lying flat on your pup’s neck. This type of dog ID tag is safer to use than hanging dog tags as they don’t dangle, easily come off, or get caught in anything. The only downside to these ID tags is that they can only be used on a certain type of dog collar. If your pup has a single-thickness collar with a metal buckle, you can settle for a slide-on stainless dog ID tag.
Rivet-on ID tags
This ID tag is fastened with a rivet directly on the collar. Just like a slide-on id tag, it is very easy to use and is difficult to come off. Your contact and dog's information can only be engraved on the front side of the ID tag. Since they are more guaranteed as you need to attach the plate to the collar, you should use them for long distance travel, road trips, and walks as they won’t fall off accidentally.
Some other custom-made dog ID tags include license plate ID tags, glow-in-the-dark aluminum tags, and slide-on ID tags for adjustable collars.
Most dog ID tags have room for four lines of text, while some have room for eight, so how do you make full use of this vital piece of identification? You have to give out the necessary details in a limited space. To give you an idea of what information your dog's ID tag should contain, here are some important points:
What should I put on my dog's ID tag?
You should think about what you want to communicate to a stranger who finds your dog wandering around. It will also be helpful if you inform them of any complications to put them at ease. Here are some elements of what your dog's ID tag should contain, from the most important ones to the least.
Your primary contact information
The most basic information your dog's ID tag should have is your primary contact details. You should consider putting the contact of the person who is more likely to pick up strange calls. It can be your spouse or relative. What matters is that the person always has him/her at their side. If you can, list a name first, then the phone number.
Secondary contact information
This is very important. You can put your family member or a trustworthy relative who will be proactive in case your phone is not available.
Your complete address
Including your address with your home city and state will help your dog find his way home faster. Your pup may be found on the next street or even two blocks away. Any passerby can just help guide your dog home.
Medical History
If your pup requires medication, you might want to fill it out there. Does your dog suffer from joint pain, breathing problems, or allergies? This can prove helpful to any stranger who ends up finding your dog. There is no need to fill it out if your dog has none of these conditions.
Behavioral problems
Your dog can be found by a very nice stranger who wants to take them home first before tracing the owners and stating out your dog’s personality quirks can help the stranger avoid future accidents. Is your big furry friend a big fan of strangers? You can write, "I love people." Does your pup hate other dogs or cars? "I don’t like other dogs and cars." Do they suffer from anxiety and nervousness from loud noises, thunder and babies? You can state that in a simple way.
Your dog’s name
Although adding your dog’s name does not really help much in tracing a lost dog, you can still add it. Some dogs get stolen, and this can help avoid a thief from claiming your dog as his/her own.
Reward
We also have to consider that not everybody loves dogs, so they sometimes don’t understand what losing a pet feels like. Adding a form as a reward is a great way to get such people to contact you and help your pup find his way home.
What to look out for when getting a dog ID tag
When it comes to the specific type of dog tag you should get for your pup, there are a myriad of options. Here are some of the few things to look out for:
Material
Most dog ID tags are made of stainless steel, aluminum, and even plastic. Obviously, plastic will not be as durable as the dog ID tags made from stainless steel and aluminum. You can check the description of the tags to know what they are made up of.
Shapes
Most dog ID tags come in oval and rectangular shapes. Some also come in creative shapes like bones, treats, or dog faces. So you need to look out for the shape you like.
Size
Dog ID tags usually range in different sizes. They can range from three quarters of an inch to two inches as they need to be large enough for a person to read what is written on them. The dog ID tag should also be the right size for your dog. You don’t want a small dog breed to be dragging off a two-inch dog tag.
Custom-made tags
You can settle for handmade custom tags, which usually contain unique pieces of art. Although these tags are more costly than regular ones, if you don’t mind going all out, they are worth the shot.
Decorations
Some id tags have unique decorations, some are engraved with stones, enamel, or cool graphic art. Instead of settling for a plain dog ID tag, you can opt for one that is decorated.
Lost pet recovery service
Before you settle for a dog ID tag, you should note that some pet companies offer an emergency dial-up number in case your pup gets lost. Instead of your personal information, they provide their own dial up number on the id. So, if a stranger finds your dog, they can contact the company that will trace you or any relative and notify you of your lost pet's location.
Note: It is ideal that you check the condition of your dog’s ID tag every three months to ensure that it is in its best shape.
Some other effective means of identification include:
Microchipping
Microchipping your dog is a safe and effective way of getting your dog back home faster. It ensures that you, the pet owner, are the first person to be contacted if your pup ends up in a shelter somewhere. You can’t control every event that happens around your dog, but you can put things in place for worst-case scenarios. In fact, most reputable breeders will require your dog to be microchipped before they send you home with your pup. Based on the statistics by AKC Reunite, microchipped dogs are 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners than dogs that are not. The good thing about this is that it is quite easy to use. Your veterinarian just needs to implant a small chip with the hypodermic needed in your dog. The chip will contain your personal information, contact details and phone number from the registry for the chip brand.
If your dog is microchipped, it is advisable that you include that information on his ID tag "Microchipped" to let anybody know that your pup can be traced back to you. This will also scare away thieves, as they will know full well that your dog can be located easily.
Are there any side effects to microchipping my dog?
Side effects are not common, but some dogs may experience hair loss, infection, or temporary bleeding. But most dogs experience minimal to zero effects from the implantation process.
Tracking technology.
With the advancement of technology, we can pretty much track down anyone, including your dog. There are many tracking devices that allow you to track your pup’s location and activity anywhere in the country.
Should my dog wear an ID tag every time?
"Yes!" Every time you leave your house with your pup, a well-detailed id tag should be on your dog’s collar. Like I said earlier, we cannot always control every event that happens around us, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Visit our collection of dog ID tags to ensure, your furry friend is all protected.