Tattoo's for Identification

[yorkielover916]

Ok so in doing my research to get my new baby, I have bought two books from PetSmart. One of them suggests getting a special number tattooed on the belly of the dog. I have never heard of this and was wondering what you all though of it. I don't like it, wouldn't it be painful for the dogs?

[pookiebear]

I'd be scared to death to do that to any one of my babies. I personally prefer to chip the dog. Having the number visible might deter any criminal activity, but I just couldn't put any of the babies through that.

[2dogsandachick]

I have several tattoos, and I love them - but knowing what they feel like, I would be hard pressed not to call it torture on a dogs. Especially on their soft belly.

[Britster]

Why not just get your dog microchipped? Tattooing is kind of old-fashioned.

[KDSinVirginia]

I had my last yorkie tattooed..... this was like 15 yrs ago. Before chips were widely used. I had it done during his dental. It was on his belly - beside his "tee-tee" It was my social sec #, I had it registered with an agency....I don't really remember the details. Thankfully I never needed it. It never bothered him, it did fade and smear over the yrs and was unreadable.

Personally, I think the chip is better and easier to use. If your dog is lost, the chip can be read by SPCA, vets, ect.... the tattoo would have to be researched somehow I'm guessing????

just my 2 cents....

[rbelland]

There is a place here that does that to each and every one of their puppies beofre they are sold. Personally I would do the microchip. All mine have it. I have many tattoos and cant imagine how it would feel on the soft tender skin of my yorkies.

[linda44]

I have a friend that used to show and breed. All her dogs were tattooed. In fact she just recently gave my husband her tattoo gun.

[livingdustmops]

Pet owners do not do this...microchip yes

If yous pup gets stolen you have a bigger chance of getting it back with a microchip as the chip numbers go into a national database and vets and shelters have guns. Not all have the tools but if your dog was taken into a shelter 2 towns over from yours the vet wouldn't have a clue where to find who the numbers belong to.

I also think the numbers are not very nice looking on a dog...reminds me of the Nazi's

[MaddieBoo]

Lucas has both a tattoo and a microchip. They automatically gave him a tattoo when he went in for his neuter, which surprised me. It's just inside his ear.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by MaddieBoo

Lucas has both a tattoo and a microchip. They automatically gave him a tattoo when he went in for his neuter, which surprised me. It's just inside his ear.

Interesting.

I know that many of the Biewers that came over from Germany were tattoo'd but I didn't realize Canada is doing this also. I am assuming they charged you for this? Do you know how they track animals with tattoo's or is there another reason for doing this?

[MaddieBoo]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Interesting.

I know that many of the Biewers that came over from Germany were tattoo'd but I didn't realize Canada is doing this also. I am assuming they charged you for this? Do you know how they track animals with tattoo's or is there another reason for doing this?

To be honest with you, I really don't know why he was tattooed or how they track them. I just assumed it was normal?

[twalla]

I've said this before and I will say it again, I do not care how much Sam begs he is NOT allowed to get a tattoo!!!

[kjc]

Tatooing an ear is not reccommended because a thief could easily cut off the dog's ear to eliminate evidence. Belly tattoos cannot be removed safely.

[Dara311]

Originally Posted by yorkielover916

Ok so in doing my research to get my new baby, I have bought two books from PetSmart. One of them suggests getting a special number tattooed on the belly of the dog. I have never heard of this and was wondering what you all though of it. I don't like it, wouldn't it be painful for the dogs?

My 7 yr old purebreed shorthair dachshund has a tattoo in her left ear- the breeder who is a vet actually put it on her since her parents were award winning show dogs, and wanted to keep track of the pups- but lucy was never shown- i have seen it on thighs, and tummys. I however, would never do that to my baby!

[katy-yorkie]

About 15 years ago, I took my cat to be neutered and he was tattooed on his belly. Not sure why, the agency that did the tattoo said it was in case he got lost. Duh! Whoever found him would not know to look for a tattoo.