Microchipping cost explained

Microchipping is a routine, one-off procedure that many pet owners book when getting a new puppy or kitten, or when bringing a pet to a vet for the first time. It is also one of the clearer services to compare between practices — which is why the CMA includes microchipping in its recommended standard price-list categories for veterinary practices.

This guide explains what microchipping usually costs, what affects the price, what the law requires for dogs, and what to check before you book.

Source note: This guide is based on the CMA's veterinary market investigation final decision report, GOV.UK guidance on dog microchipping, and supporting materials. It does not provide veterinary, medical or legal advice.

What microchipping is

A microchip is a small identification device implanted under your pet's skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It carries a unique number that can be read with a scanner. That number is registered on an approved pet microchip database together with the keeper's contact details.

Microchipping is not a GPS tracker. It is an identification tool so that a lost pet can be linked back to its registered keeper if found and scanned.

The implantation itself is usually quick. Your vet or a trained member of the practice team will advise on timing and any clinical considerations for your pet.

Legal requirements in the UK

Dogs — In England, Scotland and Wales, dog owners are required to have their dog microchipped by eight weeks of age. The chip must be registered on an approved database, and keeper details must be kept up to date — for example if you move house or rehome the dog. GOV.UK publishes guidance for dog owners on microchipping and keeping details current (see Sources above).

Cats — Compulsory cat microchipping rules vary by nation and have been introduced on different timelines. Check current GOV.UK or devolved government guidance for where you live. Even where microchipping is not a legal requirement, many veterinary professionals recommend it for cats because it helps reunite lost pets with their owners.

If you are unsure whether your pet is already chipped, or whether your registration details are correct, ask your vet to scan your pet and check the registered database.

What affects the price

Microchipping fees vary because:

• Standalone vs bundled — some practices charge a single fee for implantation only; others include microchipping in puppy, kitten or "new pet" packages alongside vaccinations and health checks
• Consultation included or not — the microchip fee may be separate from a consultation charge, or bundled into a wider appointment
• Registration — initial database registration is often included, but transfer fees or detail updates may be charged separately later
• Location and practice type — fees reflect local running costs, opening hours and facilities, similar to other routine vet services
• Multiple pets — some practices offer a reduced fee for a second pet microchipped at the same visit

The CMA's standardised price-list remedy (Final decision report — Part B) includes microchipping among the categories practices will be required to publish. Remedies are being phased in over time; for the current implementation position, see the GOV.UK landing page in Sources above.

Typical costs — what to expect

Published microchipping fees are usually a modest one-off charge when practices list them separately — often in a single-figure to low double-figure range in pounds — but prices vary widely and we do not publish a UK average here because practices set their own fees and our snapshot is incomplete.

Do not rely on a figure from a friend, social media or an old price list. Always ask the practice for its current fee and what is included.

Where practices have shared price data, microchipping fees may appear on WisePet practice listings. Data availability varies; not every practice publishes a full price list yet.

What to ask before booking

Before booking a microchipping appointment, you can reasonably ask:

• What is the current fee for microchipping a [dog/cat]?
• Is database registration included in that fee?
• Is a consultation or health check included, or charged separately?
• Can microchipping be done at the same visit as vaccinations?
• Is there a discount if I have more than one pet microchipped?
• Which microchip database do you register with, and how do I update my details later?

For a written record of the agreed fee, see Vet written estimates and itemised bills explained.

Comparing microchipping prices

Microchipping is listed in the CMA's recommended price categories because it is a routine, comparable service. You can compare available prices for local practices on WisePet and browse city pages where we hold enough practice data.

Where price data exists, it appears on individual practice listings. The CMA's transparency remedies are intended to increase the amount of published price information over time.

See also: How to compare vet prices before booking and CMA vet reforms explained.

After microchipping

Keep your registration details up to date on the database your vet used. If you move, change phone number or rehome your pet, update the keeper information — this is a legal requirement for dogs and good practice for all chipped pets.

If you adopt a pet that is already microchipped, ask your vet to scan the chip and confirm whether a transfer of keepership is needed on the database.

Pet care plans

Some practices include microchipping in monthly pet care plans for puppies or kittens. Check what else is bundled, the total monthly cost, and what happens if you leave the practice before the plan period ends. Care plans are not compared on WisePet — ask the practice directly.