How much does it cost to microchip a dog or cat in the UK?
Updated 24 September 2026 · 3 min read
Usually between £10 and £30 at a vet, according to PDSA, and some charities and councils do it for less or for free. It's the law for dogs across the UK and for cats in England, so here's what to expect and where to save.
What vets charge
PDSA says microchipping usually costs between £10 and £30, and the RSPCA says a vet will usually charge around £15 for a dog, though prices vary. For cats, Cats Protection says to expect £20 to £30, depending on where you live.
Some vets include a microchip in their pet health plans, so check yours before paying for it separately, and ask for the full price when you book.
Free and low-cost microchipping
- Some local animal charities, organisations and councils offer microchipping, and some do it free of charge. Ask your council and local rescues.
- Adopting? Rescues microchip their animals before they go home. At Cats Protection, for example, the microchip is included in the adoption fee.
- Buying a puppy? Every dog must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old, so it should already have a chip when you collect it. Ask the breeder for the number and move the record into your name.
When it has to be done
- Dogs: microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old, everywhere in the UK.
- Cats in England: microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. Our guide to cat microchipping law covers the rest of the UK.
- In England, you can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat isn't microchipped, or isn't registered on an approved database.
- A microchip must be fitted by a trained professional, so it isn't something to do yourself.
The costs people forget
- Keeping the record up to date. You must update it when you move house or change your number, and some databases charge a fee for changes. Our guide to updating microchip details shows how.
- Finding the right database. If you don't know where the chip is registered, our microchip number checker explains how to find out.
Why it's worth it
Microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner (GOV.UK, 2024). There are more figures in our lost and stolen pet statistics.
A chip can only be read with a scanner, which means a trip to a vet, a rescue or the council. A tag on the collar is what anyone can read on the spot, so the two work together: a QR code tag lets whoever finds your pet reach you straight away, for £10, paid once.
Quick answers
How much does it cost to microchip a dog in the UK?+
Usually between £10 and £30 at a vet, says PDSA, and the RSPCA says vets usually charge around £15. Some charities and councils do it for less, or for free.
How much does it cost to microchip a cat?+
Cats Protection says to expect £20 to £30, depending on where you live. PDSA puts microchipping in general at £10 to £30.
Can I get my pet microchipped for free?+
Sometimes. Some local animal charities, organisations and councils microchip for free, and rescues include it in the adoption fee. It's worth asking locally.
Does microchipping hurt?+
PDSA says that, like any injection, it can cause a tiny amount of discomfort, but it takes just a few seconds.
Do I have to pay to update my pet's microchip details?+
It depends on the database: some charge a fee for changes. Check with the one your pet's chip is registered on.
Sources
- Microchipping your dog (PDSA)
- Cat microchipping (PDSA)
- Dog microchipping (RSPCA)
- Microchipping your cat (Cats Protection)
- Get your dog or cat microchipped (GOV.UK)
This guide is general information, not legal or veterinary advice. How we write our guides
