Does my dog or cat need a microchip?

For dog and cat owners who need to know the UK microchipping rules.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

All UK dogs must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old. In England, cats must be microchipped by 20 weeks old, even indoor cats.

You can be fined up to £500 if not.
Use a government-approved database and keep details up to date.
Dogs must still wear a collar and tag in public.
Beware scam emails from unlisted databases.

Key facts

Dogs by 8 weeks
Cats by 20 weeks (England)
Fine up to £500

The rules in each part of the UK

Where you live	Dogs	Cats
England	Must be chipped and registered by 8 weeks old	Must be chipped and registered by 20 weeks old, including indoor cats
Scotland	Must be chipped and registered by 8 weeks old	Optional
Wales	Must be chipped and registered by 8 weeks old	Optional
Northern Ireland	Must be chipped by 8 weeks old, and before you apply for a dog licence	Optional

Even where it is optional, chipping your cat gives you a better chance of getting it back if it is lost or stolen.

How to get your pet chipped

Ask your vet, local council, or a local rescue and rehoming centre if they can do it. Some charge a fee.
The chip must be fitted by a trained professional.
The chip holds a number. When your pet is scanned, that number shows up and links to your details.
Register your details on a government-approved database. GOV.UK keeps a list of the approved databases.

Keeping your details up to date

You are responsible for keeping the details linked to the chip correct. If you move house or change your phone number, contact the database company. They may charge a fee to update it.

Watch out for scams. If you get an email from a database that is not on the government list asking for money to register your pet, it could be a scam. GOV.UK has removed at least one database (Track Your Paws) from the list for not meeting government standards.

Collar and tag rules for dogs

A microchip does not replace a collar. In a public place, your dog must still wear a collar and tag with your name and address.

Buying or rehoming a pet

Before you take on a dog or cat, ask for proof that it has been chipped. This could be a microchip certificate, vet records or a pet passport. Once the pet is yours, keep the database details up to date.

Fines

You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not chipped when it needs to be.

Northern Ireland: dog licences too

In Northern Ireland, most dogs also need a dog licence, and the dog must be chipped before you apply.

Licence	Fee
Standard (lasts 12 months)	£12.50
Owner aged 65 or over (one dog)	Free
Owner on certain income-related benefits	£5
Neutered dog (with vet proof)	£5

Puppies under 6 months still kept by the keeper of their mother, and assistance dogs, are among those that do not need a licence. Owning an unlicensed dog can lead to a warning, a caution, a fixed penalty or prosecution, with fines of up to £1,000.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check a microchip

Common questions

Who can microchip my dog or cat?

The chip must be fitted by a trained professional, and vets, local councils and rescue centres often do it, sometimes for a fee.

How do I update my pet's microchip details?

Contact the database your pet is registered with, for example if you move house; they may charge a fee.

How do I find out which database my pet is on?

Use the online lookup service, or ask a vet, dog warden or rescue centre to scan your pet for its microchip number.

Do cats need a microchip in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No, it is optional for cats there, but in England cats must be chipped by 20 weeks old.

Source: Get your dog or cat microchipped

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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