Pets with accurate information linked to their microchips are 54% more likely to be reunited with their owners. Microchipped pets should have their owner’s information stored in a database. However, around 1 in 3 pet owners in the UK don’t know which database their pet is registered with, let alone have accurate information stored. We sat down with Petdatabase.com to understand a bit more about microchips and how they can help you keep your information up to date, for free. 

How do microchips work?

A microchip is a small chip, about the size of a grain of rice, that is placed under your pet’s skin as a means of identification if your pet is ever lost. This chip can be scanned to show the chip number. This number can then be looked up on any DEFRA (Department of Environmental, Food, Rural Affairs) compliant database to find the saved owner details. For this reason, a microchip is only as effective as the data that is stored against that chip number. That’s why keeping the information on your pet’s microchip is so important. 

What happens if my pet is lost?

Did your four-legged friend wander off after catching the scent of a fox in the woods? If it happens, they will most likely end up in the care of a vet, warden, or rescue. Here they can scan your pet’s microchip to find out who the owner is. Now, to make reaching you as easy as possible, make sure to keep your information up to date, for example when you move house. Sadly, 64% of stray dogs in rescues have out-of-date chip information. By keeping your dog’s microchip details up to date, you can help change this stat. 

Do you know which database your pet is registered with?

Bringing a new dog home is super exciting – it’s easy to get wrapped up in all the new toys and treats in those first few weeks. It’s important to remember to also get your dog registered with a local vet, book them in for their vaccinations, and to update their microchip details. During this transition period, it’s really important, and a legal requirement, that you update the microchip information to your own details, and continue to do so should you move home. Unfortunately, in many cases of stray pets, the microchip shows the pet as still registered with the breeder or the first owner and sometimes has no information at all making it harder to reunite lost pets with their loved ones.

It is also really important that you ensure that your microchip is registered with a DEFRA-approved database. This not only makes sure that your personal information is securely stored but also ensures that should your pet ever go missing a vet, warden or rescue will be able to get in contact with you. If you’re unsure of where your information is stored, reach out to your vet.

Keeping your microchip details up to date

You’re fully in control of your microchip information. There are now 18 DEFRA-approved microchip databases and you can choose where your information is stored. Our friends at PetDatabase.com offer free updates for life, plus they provide a really simple and 100% secure switching service.  

What you can enjoy with PetDatabase.com:

• Free updates, for life
• Quick, safe and secure
• Free lost pet service
• ‘Safety Ping’ alerts whenever your chip is scanned
• No boring admin, they manage the transfer for you

Most pet owners know about the common parasite offenders including fleas, ticks, and roundworms. These are the parasites that most commonly afflict our beloved pets and can be seen with the naked eye. But what about the parasites you CAN’T see? Did you know there’s a whole host of parasites that can affect your pet that you won’t be able to see without a microscope?

In today’s blog, we’re going to cover some important facts about MITES in dogs & cats.

What exactly is a mite?

Mites are a class of parasites not so distantly related to spiders and ticks. They prefer to burrow into the skin and cause irritation. Typically these small parasites can’t be seen without taking a sample from the skin and looking under the microscope. Mites are the cause of what many people refer to as mange, a condition classified by itchy, red skin. 

How would my pet get mites?

Most mites are directly transmitted from pet to pet, and are species specific. This means that mites typically have a preferred host (dog vs. cat vs. rabbit, etc). Mites may also be found and contracted from the environment.

What are signs my pet might have mites?

Pets with mites are often itchy! They can also experience hair loss, dry/scaly skin, redness, and irritation of the skin where mites have made their home. 

Are there different kinds of mites?

There are several different species of mites that can affect our dogs and cats. Each of these behave a bit differently, and can cause different clinical signs. 

• Demodex: These mites like to bury themselves deep within the layers of the skin, particularly in association with hair follicles. Demodex is actually considered a NORMAL flora (normal organism) of the skin, however in patients that experience stress to the immune system, Demodex can overgrow and cause redness, hair loss, and dry skin. This is a common issue in young pets coming from rescues/shelters. Interestingly, pets with Demodex are often NOT VERY ITCHY! This differs from other mites. 
• Sarcoptes: Also known as “scabies”, sarcoptes mites like to make their home in the superficial layers of the skin. Animals with scabies are typically VERY itchy! These pets can experience severe hair loss, redness, scaling, and irritation. 
  • *Note: Scabies also has the potential to be ZOONOTIC, meaning people can be infested with sarcoptes as well!*
• Cheyletiella: This mite is also known as “walking dander”, because unlike our other mite species, owners may be able to see these mites on the skin. Cheyletiella mites can often be found on top of the skin wandering between hairs and resemble flakes of dry dead skin. Pets can be itchy and scratch frequently in response to infestation with this mite. 
• Otodectes: This may be the mite that most owners have heard of. Otodectes is a common cause of itchy, red, waxy ears in pets. These mites prefer the nice dark hiding spot to set up their home in the skin of the pinna (ear flap) and deep down into the ear canal. Ear mites are common in dogs/cats coming from rescues/shelters and have previously spent lots of time outdoors. 

How are mites treated? Can you prevent them?

Mites can be treated with a variety of options. These include medicated shampoos, medicated ointments, spot on parasite treatments/preventatives, and even oral parasite treatments/preventatives. Treatments are safe and effective, and should be used under direction of your vet. 

VetBox Top Tip: 

Prevention and awareness are always best! Keeping your pet on tailored, appropriate, regular parasite prevention is recommended by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the European Scientific Council for Companion Animal Parasites. 

Dr. Kirsten Ronngren, DVM MRCVS

A Look at Parasite Preventative Costs

We know that vet care costs can add up quickly, which can surprise pet owners who aren’t expecting it. Just like your pets food or vaccines, we like to think of parasite prevention as part of your normal planned “monthly pet budget”. While parasite prevention is essential to happy, healthy pets – it doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. VetBox is on a mission to provide safe, effective, and cost conscious parasite prevention to as many pets as possible. 

Our baseline subscription includes a monthly pipette of flea/tick spot on treatment, and a dose of oral wormer every three months. 

For most pets, this combination provides good broad spectrum parasite coverage that is safe and effective. It also follows the current standard adult parasite preventative recommendations from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the European Scientific Council for Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP). 

For cats and small dogs, our subscription cost is just £7.49 per month. This includes the monthly spot on flea/tick treatment, monthly treats to reward your furry family member for getting their treatment, shipping costs straight to your door, and an oral worming tablet every 3 months. We looked into some other subscription companies/online vet pharmacies and found that the same service cost anywhere from £10.50 up to £14.49 per month. Using VetBox means our customers are saving 40 – 55% every month. 

These cost differences are similar as pet size therefore monthly cost increases, and in some cases showed even larger gaps between VetBox prices and other companies. Our XL dog subscription (dogs weighing 40-60kg) is still just £9.49 per month.

We know that our standard subscription might not work for everyone. Some pets need monthly wormer due to higher exposure level/risk level, some pets need lungworm coverage, and some pets might need a change in how their treatments are given (think about your kitties that hate tablets). Our other options for parasite preventatives have also been shown to be consistently more cost effective as well, or at the very least equivalent to other companies or your vets office. That being said, ours also includes shipment straight to your door each month, making it easier for you and your pet!

There’s lots of options for parasite preventatives out there. It’s easy to get overwhelmed! Trust us, we’re all pet owners too and have gone through the struggles of picking the right preventatives for our own critters. If you’re looking for a way to appropriately protect your pet, be supported by a small dedicated animal loving staff, AND do it in an easy cost effective way – VetBox is your answer. 

Click here to start your VetBox journey today