Should I Get My Rabbit Microchipped?


It would be easy to assume that a rabbit isn’t going to get lost but rabbits are very adept escape artists. The good news is that there are ways that you can make sure you will be reunited with your bunny. While the days of hanging posters on street lights are long gone, microchipping is the modern option; so is microchipping a rabbit worth it?

Microchipping is a good decision for a rabbit owner to make. A domestic rabbit will not usually survive for long in the wild but having the pet microchipped will give you the best chance of being reunited should the animal become lost. Since rabbits are unable to wear collars, a microchip is the best way of identifying the pet.

Rabbit owners likely have a lot of questions relating to microchipping but rest assured it is a simple process that causes very little distress to the bunny.

Do Rabbits Need To Be Microchipped?

Domestic rabbits are not hardy or ‘streetwise’ enough to survive for very long in the wild. But the problem is that they are very inquisitive creatures with a love for exploring. While you might be able to train a dog to remain in your front yard, if you bunny finds a way to get out, he isn’t going to listen to your commands to stay.

microchip and needle for pet location

Worse is that rabbits are often left in outdoor enclosures without supervision for at least some of the time. This means that they have plenty of time to fulfil their natural instinct to dig. Placing a rabbit run on a lawn, especially near a boundary fence could see that bunny tunneling his way out. Once he’s gone, it may be very difficult to locate him and bring him home.

Furthermore, domestic rabbits are not aware of the dangers of life outside their homes. They would not think twice about hopping out into the busy traffic of a main road and they may not have the smarts to successfully evade a predator. Sadly, this means that pet bunnies who go missing usually end up perishing before their owners can find them.

Providing a secure home is the best way to prevent your rabbit from getting out into the big scary world. However, we appreciate that, even with the best will in the world, your bunny may outsmart your security. Having your rabbit microchipped means that you will be able to relocate him, should he ever hop off on an adventure.

Of course, choosing whether or not to have your rabbit microchipped is up to you. If you have an indoor bunny then it may not be quite as important provided you are vigilant in keeping doors and windows closed when the rabbit is out of the cage. That said, there are times when we would highly recommend microchipping.

Rabbits who are kept outside should be chipped because as an owner, you will not be able to keep an eye on them 24/7. This also applies to rabbits that are allowed to play outdoors for long periods of time without supervision. In these instances, there is always a risk of the rabbit making an escape attempt and you’d be surprised at how often they are successful.

Some owners like to take their rabbit for a walk. In this case, a microchip is important because there is always a risk that your rabbit might escape his harness. While you may find it very easy to catch your rabbit when you are at home, trying to keep up with him in the park or other large open space will prove to be much more challenging.

lost rabbit

We would recommend having your rabbit microchipped as soon as possible in any of the above situations. There is no age limit on when a rabbit can have a chip inserted so even if your pet is still a baby, the procedure should be booked in as soon as you adopt your pet. The great thing about it is that it can be done at a regular check up and takes seconds.

Do Rabbit Microchips Work?

A lot of rabbit owners wonder whether it is worth putting the rabbit under the stress of being microchipped; what we mean by this is does it even work?

Firstly, it is important to keep in mind that having a microchip inserted will cause little to no stress to your rabbit. The procedure is done using a needle, which is similar to what your pet would experience during a vaccination. The microchip is inserted under the skin in what is a completely non-invasive process. The only thing that may cause the rabbit minor stress is the trip to the vet itself and being handled by someone they are not familiar with.

After the procedure is complete, there are virtually no risks so it is certainly worth considering. The only risk with microchipping is that the chip may move under the skin but this will pose no health problems for your rabbit. The only thing it will do is slow down the process when a vet tries to find the chip again.

In terms of whether the microchip will help bring your rabbit home, this very much depends on you. It is important that you register the chip and keep your details up to date. This will allow you to be easily contacted should the rabbit go missing.

However, it is important to remember that a microchip is not a location tracker. You won’t be able to keep tabs on your bun and pinpoint his exact location. Instead, a microchip stores your details so that, if someone discovers your pet, they can take it to a vet or animal shelter who can scan the chip and find out who the bun belongs to.

Where Do Rabbits Get Microchipped?

As we have discussed, the process of being microchipped will cause very little distress or pain to a rabbit. The chip is the size of a grain of rice and is covered in a protective glass. There are no batteries so you can rest assured that it is completely safe.

When you visit your vet for the procedure, he or she will take a needle that contains the chip and pop in just under the skin. The chip is located on the back of the rabbit, between the shoulder blades, but as we have mentioned, it may move over time. But this is harmless.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Pet Rabbit Microchipped?

The good news is that having your bunny microchipped won’t set your back very much money. The most expensive microchips may cost around $50 but this includes the placement and registering of the chip as well.

Another thing that will please rabbit owners is that microchips are designed to last for life. Once inserted, they will remain with your rabbit and require no replacements.

If you are adopting a bunny from a shelter, you will usually be charged a small fee to have the animal microchipped, in this instance, you can expect to pay around $20.

Further Reading

Vets4Pets – Microchipping Your Rabbit Complete Guide

 

Darren

Darren is the founder and editor at Bunny Advice and has been caring for rabbits for over a decade. He has a passion for helping animals and sharing his experience and knowledge with others.

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