Tattoo or microchip for cat?

QUESTION: After my cat went missing for a week and I thought that I’d lost him for good, I decided it’s time to officially link him to me by a microchip or tattoo. I am debating between the two, which one do you believe is better?

ANSWER: First thing and the easiest method of identification is putting a name tag on a collar. I prefer putting the collar on cats that have the special buckle that opens automatically when gets pulled hard enough. This type of collar is safer for cats with outdoor excess, because they can get caught on various objects in the environment. Having this type of collar allows them to break loose if they get caught.

Having said that, you can’t really trust the name tag to stay on your cat then. A tattoo or a microchip are both good methods for permanent identification.

Each has its pros and cons, and there is no one true answer to the question which one is better. The tattoo advantage is that it is easily seen. The tattoo is placed inside the cat’s ear and whoever finds it knows how to locate the owner.

As for the microchip, one has to think about the option when they find a lost pet and take the pet to be scanned.

Not everybody is even aware of the microchip option.

The disadvantage of the tattoo is that it has to get done under anesthesia. We normally place the tattoo when we perform an elective surgical procedure under anesthesia such as spay/neuter or a dental cleaning.

It is hard to justify the risk of putting the animal under anesthesia just for the sake of placing a tattoo. The tattoo might fade with time and might become hard to read.

The microchip on the other hand, is injected to the space under the skin by a special syringe and does not require any form of tranquilization of the animal. As for the cost, tattoo is generally cheaper. I hope this gives you enough information to make a decision on a permanent identification that will best suit you and your cat.

QUESTION: I’ve decided to upgrade my dog’s diet and bought him a bag of food that is considered a premium food. I only fed it to him once and he got diarrhea.

Should I conclude that this food is bad for him and go back to his previous food. I am interested in changing his diet but I can’t afford trying all sorts of foods until I find the right one. Any suggestions which food will be my best bet to try?

ANSWER: Kudos for deciding to upgrade your dog’s diet. Please don’t get discouraged. Diet changing should not be done abruptly, but rather gradually. Dogs in general, but some more than others, have a sensitive gastrointestinal system. When introducing a new diet, it is important to do it gradually by mixing a little a bit of the new food with the previous food, and slowly increase the amount of the new food while decreasing the amount of the old food over a course of a week or so.

If your dog does not have any food allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the food’s ingredient, he should tolerate well most of the common commercial diets.

In any event, some places allow you to bring back the food you purchased and get a refund if the food is not to your or your dog’s liking.

Dr. Noa Oz is a veterinarian at Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital.