There’s no doubt that dog ID tags are an essential and very common accessory for responsible dog owners. Regardless of the time of day, whether you are going for a walk with your dog, going to a park, traveling, having an ID tag can really be a saviour if your dog is lost. Although pet ID tags are strongly suggested for pet safety reasons, some pet owners may question whether pet ID tags for dogs are safe or not.
In this article we will be taking a closer look at Dog ID tags and their safety, from their benefits to their potential risks as well as best practices to guarantee that they are amidst the safest options for your dog. In the review, you will see the easiest way to choose the safest and most effective pet ID tag by the end of the day.
The Benefits of Pet ID Tags for Dogs
There are many benefits to using pet ID tags, why they are a tool that all dog owners should have. Among them are:
1. Improved Identification and Safety
An ID tag is mainly designed to quickly and easily identify your dog if he gets lost. A good Samaritan or animal control will be able to find your dog if they have a tag because you can put your phone number or your dog’s name on it so thry have immediate access to data.
This enhances the possibility of an easy and safe reuniting of you and your dog and lessens the risk and stress connected with a lost dog.
2. Emergency Contact Information
ID tags can also be customized to include your address, emergency contact information or other medical conditions which could be important to whomever finds your dog if they are not familiar with him.
This is especially true if you have special medical needs or behavioral concern dogs. If you include this information, those who find your dog will have information regarding how to deal with specific outcomes.
3. Peace of Mind
With an ID tag your dog has, it gives you peace of mind knowing that your dog has a way to contact you. With the confidence that if an emergency arises, your dog can be easily identified and returned to you, you can now take your dog for walks, visit public spaces, or let him play in the yard.
If your dog has a microchip (also an identification), an ID tag will be visible and thus very useful (especially if your dog isn't wearing a collar with a microchip reader around).
Are Dog Pet ID Tags Safe?
After having gone through all of the benefits that go with pet ID tags, let’s talk about the issue of safety. ID tags are generally safe for dogs to use, but there are certain factors to be aware of to keep your pet safe and to prevent any harm.
1. Risk of Choking or Injury
In fact, perhaps the biggest worry regarding pet ID tags is of choking or injury. During play the metal tag and its attached ring can catch on objects such as fences, tree branches or another animal. If the collar or tag gets stuck it can be stressful, injurious, and can even cause strangulation.
What steps you can take to avoid this risk: Ensure that your dog’s collar fits him properly, and is made of breakaway material (or has some quick release mechanism). Doing this will help, if it gets caught on something, to prevent injury.
2. Potential for Tag-Related Injuries
Particular dogs, especially dogs whose activities are quite rough, can chew its ID tags or the collar where the ID tags are attached. Less commonly, dogs may swallow pieces of the tag unintentionally and risk choking or issues with digestion.
If your dog likes to chew on his collar or you alienates the tag, then you may wish to select a collarless ID tag such as attach right on the dog’s leash or utilizes an implanted microchip. This helps to minimize your dog swallowing or chewing on the tag.
3. Material Considerations
The safety of the ID tags is dependent on their materials. The skin can be irritated with or allergic to the tags made of poor-quality or toxic materials.
To minimize the risk, be sure to select ID tags made of non toxic, hypoallergenic types of materials such as stainless steel or brass. Choose tags that are not plastic as these can break or degrade with time and if your dog is particularly active.
How to Choose the Safest ID Tag for Your Dog
To select the safest and most durable ID tag for your dog consider the safety and durability of the best options available. Here is a few tips for picking the safest of the most practical option.
1. Choose the Right Size
The appropriate size of your dog’s ID tag should relate to their breed and collar. A tag that is too large can be cumbersome, and may also cause discomfort; a tag that is too small will be hard to read or easily lost.
Bear in mind the size of your dog’s collar and choose an ID tag that is fitting enough not to hang loosely or get caught on things.
2. Use Engraving for Durability
Make sure that the information on the ID tag is engraved, not printed nor put on with a sticker. This form of labeling is more durable and last longer than other labeling meant, hence, keep the information readable despite years of wear.
A tip: use the latest contact data, including your telephone number and address. If you need to alter contact details or change locations then update the tag.
3. Reflective or Glow-in-the-Dark Tags
For an extra safety measure, consider placing a reflective or glow in the black dog ID tag. This is a feature that is truly effective when walking your dog at night or in low light conditions because it makes your dog more visible to others.
Typically, reflective tags are made out of materials such as bouncing light that will make it more visible while glow in the dark tags charge during the day and make it visible at night.
4. Breakaway Collars for Safety
A collar that will release under extreme pressure is a breakaway collar, this is wonderful to stop accidents from happening. However, if your dog collides with something, collars will break away instead of harming your dog or choking him.
For many dog owners, breakaway collars, along with an ID tag, are the most suitable collar option to ensure that your dog remains safe and recognizable even on outdoor adventures.
Common Misconceptions About Dog ID Tags
There are a number of myths surrounding dog ID tags which may prevent dog owner from using them at all. Here are some common misconceptions:
1. "If your dog has a microchip they don’t need an ID tag."
A microchip is a great form of permanent identification, however a scanner is needed to read it, which is not always available to read immediately. The ID tags are visible and it will help you get your dog back quicker and there is a higher chance of that happening if they are lost or found.
2. "It contains a tag but my dog’s collar is not strong enough to hold a tag."
There are many collars made to withstand the weight and pressure of wearing an ID tag. Choose a sturdy collar that will be comfortable and also able to carry an ID tag made of nylon, leather or polyester.
3. "The only time ID tags are necessary for dogs at all is for outdoor dogs."
However, even if your dog is an indoor pet, ID tags cannot be unsuccessful. In a nutshell, dogs can go out of the house, escape out the door all of a sudden or can get lost on trips to the vet or the groomer. In addition, a visible tag of their dogs helps keep them secure should their dog stray away from them.
Final Verdict: Are Pet ID Tags for Dogs Safe to Use?
It is indeed possible to attach pet ID tags and keep your pet safe. Vital safety benefits of microchips include the possibility of finding your lost dog and giving you the information you need in the case of an emergency. Like any pet accessory, however, it’s important to purchase a high quality, proper fitting ID tag and collar to prevent such risks as choking, injury or irritation.
Picking the right ID tag, making sure it’s safely attached to a good fitting collar and taking some precautions to avoid any possible incidents will guarantee that your dog is safe and easily trackable in case of a traumatic event, should one occur. A simple, cheap and effective way to protect your dog and give you peace of mind is to invest in a pet ID tag.