{"id":2428,"date":"2025-04-07T14:01:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T13:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/?p=2428"},"modified":"2026-01-04T23:27:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T22:27:47","slug":"czip-u-kota-dlaczego-warto-i-jak-wyglada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kotkikedziorki.pl\/en\/czip-u-kota-dlaczego-warto-i-jak-wyglada\/","title":{"rendered":"Microchip in a cat \u2013 why is it worth it and what does it look like?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like many of our guides\/articles, this one too began with a question that came to us – \u201ewhat this cat chipping is all about<\/em>\u201d and then a few additional detailed questions and discussion about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence today's topic – a chip in a cat (chipping cats<\/strong>). We'll write about: what a chip is, how it works, what a new Parent should know about it, what the costs look like, what microchipping cats involves (and whether it is painful), whether there are legal requirements for microchipping, whether every cat can\/should have a chip, a few myths about chips, how catteries approach it, how we approach it, and finally two examples of how to use chips in a cat in an interesting way \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is a chip and how does it work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A chip is a tiny electronic element (the size of a grain of rice) enclosed in a special protective capsule, which it is implanted under the animal's skin<\/strong> \u2013 most often between the shoulder blades. The procedure lasts a few seconds and is comparable to an ordinary injection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705<\/strong> The chip does not emit waves\/radiation, does not hurt the cat, does not move about, does not require a battery (or its replacement), is completely maintenance-free for the owner and for the cat it is for a lifetime<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udeaa Contains a unique identification number for the cat<\/strong> (and only this number, nothing more!). It's a bit like a human PESEL [national ID number]. Practically every vet should have readers for these chip codes, and if a cat is found, the vet can check this \u201efeline PESEL\u201d. Such readers are also held by border services, animal shelters, and sometimes the police or municipal guard. It works from a distance of about 5-8 cm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun fact: We have a chip reader in our cattery<\/strong>, so if you feel like it, ask us at collection or during a visit to check the chip number of a chosen cat or several of our cats \ud83d\ude42 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The code in the chip consists of 15 digits<\/strong> – those sold in Poland should start with „616”<\/strong>. There can be various chip manufacturers, but their production is supervised by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR), which assigns numbers to all producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f VERY IMPORTANT:<\/span><\/strong> However the chip itself is just a number<\/strong>! It contains NO data about the cat, breeder or owner! That is why, for it to fulfil its task – very important is its registration<\/span><\/strong> (more on it in a moment). Remember that a chip without registration is practically useless!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PS. We have also come across other suggestions for identifying a cat – a tattoo or a pendant (an address tag). But both these options have big drawbacks – a tattoo has to be done under anaesthesia and may fade over time, and a tag can be dangerous<\/strong> (the cat may choke or get its collar caught, e.g. on a fence).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should\/must every cat have a chip?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, this is an interesting question – because it is here that the important the differences between chipping as a legal obligation and the requirements of feline organisations<\/strong> (i.e. those that issue pedigrees).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc6e Do breeders have to chip cats?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polish law does NOT impose a general obligation to chip cats<\/strong>, even in the case of their sale. This means that in theory a person breeding cats (not necessarily acting in accordance with breeding rules!) may sell a cat without a chip. Also, of course, many non-pedigree cats („moggies”) do not have a chip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 But\u2026 most feline organizations REQUIRE a chip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, if the cattery operates legally<\/strong>, under the auspices of a recognised organisation (such as FIFe\/FPL, TICA, WCF, etc.), the microchip number is mandatory in the cat's documentation<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most often:<\/p>\n\n\n\n