Does My Cat Need a Microchip? Laws, Benefits & What Owners Must Know

Since June of 2024, microchipping has been a legal requirement in England. This law applies to cats over 20 weeks old and no cat is exempt - even your cat that never goes outside. Many owners don’t realise that indoor cats are included in the law, but they most definitely are.

If you have questions about microchips for cats, we have compiled this guide to give you the lowdown on the laws, benefits, downsides, costs and how it works.

Read on to learn all you need to know about microchips for cats.

Is It a Legal Requirement to Microchip Your Cat in the UK?

As of legislation that came into law in 2024, microchipping is mandatory for cats in England. It applied to all felines over the age of 20 weeks. As an owner, it is your responsibility to get your cat microchipped with a vet and keep the details updated in a DEFRA-compliant database.

If you are caught without a microchip in your cat, you will be given a 21-day notice to get it done. Ignore this notice, and you could be hit with a fine of up to £500. This alone is reason enough to get your cat microchipped.

Please note that this legislation applied to owned cats, not feral populations. At the time of writing, the law doesn’t apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. However, this could change, and it is still strongly advised in those nations.

What Is a Cat Microchip and How Does It Work?

Most people have heard of microchips for cats, but not all understand how they actually work. They are not harmful to cats in any way, but they can be very helpful in the event that your cat becomes lost. Let’s look at the details you need to know.

What Is a Microchip?

The microchip is a tiny device that is roughly the size of a grain of rice. Using a special tool, the microchip is painlessly implanted under a cat’s skin between the shoulder blades. It contains a unique identification number that can be detected by a scanner in order to identify the cat.

How Does it Work?

If a lost cat is brought to a shelter or veterinary practice, staff there can use a scanner to read the microchip by holding it around the area where the chip should be. Once scanned, the number allows them to access the database online and find the corresponding entry.

The ID links to the owner’s contact details, which are stored in a national database. This enables the cat to be returned to its owner. If you find a lost cat, the following people have the technology to scan its microchip:

• Vets

• Animal wardens

• Charities (Cats Protection, RSPCA)

• Some cat shelters

The microchip is not a GPS tracker and it cannot be used to track your cat in real time.

Why Does My Cat Need a Microchip? (Key Benefits)

When a cat has a microchip, it significantly increases the chances of it being returned if it becomes lost. When people find a lost cat, they are likely to either assume it’s a stray or take it to a shelter or vets. Either way, the microchip helps with identification.

Microchips can also serve as proof of ownership - a form of permanent ID that is more reliable than a collar. This can help resolve disputes in some cases. What’s more, in the case of an emergency, an injured cat can be identified quickly and the owner can be contacted.

Microchips support responsible pet ownership and align with UK animal welfare expectations. They are often required by:

• Rehoming centres

• Some pet insurance policies

Do Indoor Cats Need Microchipping?

The law in England applies to indoor cats and outdoor cats - it is relevant regardless of lifestyle. The reason for this is that even indoor cats can:

• Escape through open windows or doors

• Be spooked and run off

• Be stolen

In fact, many cats that become lost are indoor cats that escape and are unfamiliar with their surroundings.

Think about it: no matter how careful you are, there is always a risk that a visitor might leave a door open. You might also forget about the cat when you are moving house, or there could be a moment of panic when there is a loud noise like a firework.

Just because a cat is “indoor-only”, it doesn’t mean there is no risk of the animal finding its way outside and becoming lost.

Are There Any Downsides to Microchipping a Cat?

It is extremely rare for there to be any side effects to a microchip being implanted into a cat. There may be some minor discomfort during the insertion - similar to when they get their vaccination.

There is an extremely rare risk of some slight swelling or migration of the chip. Even in the few documented cases of this, risk of harm to the cat is minimal. It is important to note that the owner is responsible for updating the contact details in the database that the microchip links to.

For clarity, let’s address a few misconceptions:

• Microchips are not harmful in the long-term

• Having a microchip does not affect a cat’s behaviour or health

• There is an extremely low complication rate with microchips

How Much Does It Cost to Microchip a Cat in the UK?

Typically, it costs around £10 - £30 to get a microchip implanted at the vets. A lot of surgeries will include microchipping as a bundle with something like vaccinations or neutering. You may also find opportunities to get it done cheap or for free via charities.

We recommend visiting your vet to have a microchip implanted. Alternatively, try enquiring with an animal charity to see what they offer. Good options include:

• Cats Protection

• PDSA

This is a one-time cost that is a legal requirement, and it could potentially save your cat’s life in an emergency.

When Should You Microchip Your Cat?

Legally, you are required to get it done before the cat reaches the age of 20 weeks. As best practice, we recommend that you have it done as early as possible. In many cases, a microchip is implanted during the first vaccinations or at the time of neutering.

Cats can be microchipped at any age, so the sooner you do it, the better.

What Happens If You Don’t Microchip Your Cat?

If you are caught with a cat over 20 weeks that hasn’t been microchipped, the first course of action is that you will be served a 21-day compliance notice. If you fail to get the animal microchipped within 21 days, you will receive a fine of up to £500.

From a practical perspective, the risk is that your cat may never be returned to you if it gets lost. In all likelihood, if a lost cat is found and doesn’t have a microchip, it will be treated as a stray and rehomed.

Microchip vs Collar: Do You Need Both?

Collars are traditionally used to include identification details on cats, usually on a small tag. Microchips are a more modern alternative, and they are required by law. Let’s compare the two:

• Microchip: These are permanent, cannot fall off, and are legally required to be implanted.

• Collar: A collar is a visible ID that allows a cat to be instantly identified. They offer immediate contact without scanning, but are prone to falling off.

Best practice is to use both together for maximum protection, but a microchip is usually sufficient.

How to Check and Update Your Cat’s Microchip Details

If you have lost your information about how to access your cat’s microchip details, the best approach is to go to your vet. They will be able to scan the chip and identify the registered database for you.

From here, you will be able to login to the account and update details like:

• Your address

• Your phone number

If the details attached to the microchip are out of date, the microchip becomes useless.

Final Verdict - Does Your Cat Need a Microchip?

In a word: yes. In England, it is a legal requirement for your cat to have a microchip implanted. Microchips are essential for safety, identification and responsible ownership. And, ultimately, there is no reason not to get it done.

Remember the following:

• The procedure is simple and virtually risk-free

• It is a low, one-time cost to get it done

• It has a high impact on your cat’s safety