Do cats get a tattoo when microchipped? - The Environmental Literacy Council (2025)

The short answer is no, cats do not typically get a tattoo when microchipped. While both microchipping and tattooing are methods used to identify and protect cats, they serve different purposes and are usually performed independently of each other. A microchip is a tiny electronic device implanted under the skin, while a tattoo is an ink marking on the skin itself. It’s essential to understand the distinctions between these two procedures and when they are used to ensure the well-being and identification of your feline companion. Let’s delve into the details.

Understanding Microchipping in Cats

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a small, rice-grain-sized electronic device that is implanted just beneath the skin, usually between a cat’s shoulder blades. It contains a unique identification number that can be read by a special scanner. This number is then linked to your contact information in a national database. This helps shelters, veterinary clinics, and animal control facilities quickly identify your cat if it ever gets lost.

How is a Microchip Implanted?

The process of implanting a microchip is quick and relatively painless for the cat. It’s similar to a vaccination injection, and no anesthesia is typically required. The chip is inserted using a hypodermic needle, and it’s designed to last for the lifetime of your pet.

What Information Does a Microchip Contain?

The microchip itself does not store your personal information directly. Instead, it contains a unique identification number. This number is linked to your contact information—typically your name, phone number, and address—in a national registry database. Keeping this information updated is crucial for ensuring a lost cat can be reunited with its owner quickly.

Understanding Tattoos in Cats

What is a Tattoo for Cats?

Unlike microchips, tattoos are visible ink markings applied to a cat’s skin. In the context of feline health, they’re most commonly used to indicate that a cat has been spayed or neutered (desexed). These tattoos are not a form of personal identification in the same way as a microchip.

Where Are Tattoos Typically Placed?

Desexing tattoos are typically placed on a cat’s left ear or on the abdominal incision site made during surgery. The size is usually small and can look like a single line, letter, or symbol (often a small “X” or “O”). These tattoos are crucial to visibly indicate if a cat is sterilized, preventing unnecessary anesthesia and surgery.

Purpose of Desexing Tattoos

Tattoos for desexing purposes help to avoid unnecessary stress and risks. A clear tattoo allows animal shelters or vets to quickly determine if a cat has been spayed or neutered without needing to perform invasive procedures or blood tests.

Tattoos vs. Microchips: Key Differences

Why Not Get a Tattoo During Microchipping?

While both procedures benefit cats, the reasons for them being separate are clear. A microchip’s primary purpose is to permanently link a cat to its owner through a database. A desexing tattoo, on the other hand, serves as a quick visual cue. Applying a tattoo during the microchipping process would not add any additional identifying power but would be redundant. Furthermore, placing a tattoo near the microchip implant site would be impractical as microchips are placed between the shoulder blades, an area unsuitable for a visible marker like a tattoo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does a microchip tattoo look like?

A microchip tattoo does not exist. The text you’ve referred to actually mentions a desexing tattoo, which is different. Sometimes a tattoo may be placed at the incision site where the microchip was inserted but this is extremely uncommon and often that tattoo is the sterilization marker, not a marker specific to the microchip. The desexing tattoo is typically small, around the size of two grains of rice and located on the incision site for neutering or spaying.

2. Should I microchip or tattoo my cat?

You should absolutely microchip your cat, as it is the most reliable form of permanent identification. While desexing tattoos are helpful for shelters or vets to quickly see if a cat has been sterilized, they cannot track the cat back to you. Both procedures are complementary, not alternatives.

3. What information is provided with a cat microchip?

A cat microchip primarily contains a unique identification number. This number is linked to your contact information in a registry database, including your name, phone number, and address. Make sure to keep this information up-to-date with any changes.

4. Why does my cat have a tattoo?

Most likely, your cat’s tattoo is a sterilization marker indicating they have been spayed or neutered. These tattoos are placed to avoid unnecessary procedures and identify that the animal has undergone surgery.

5. Do all fixed cats have a tattoo?

No, not all fixed cats have a tattoo. While it’s a common practice, particularly in shelters and spay/neuter programs, many private veterinary practices do not routinely tattoo owned animals during sterilization.

6. Can a phone read a cat microchip?

No, a smartphone cannot read a cat’s microchip. Microchips require a specific scanner that emits a radio frequency to activate the chip and read its unique ID. There are no apps available for smartphones that can perform this function.

7. Can a cat feel a microchip?

No, a cat should barely feel a microchip. They are typically about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted between the shoulder blades, a relatively insensitive area. Cats usually don’t even notice that it’s there.

8. What can a vet see on a microchip?

A vet can see the unique identification number on the microchip using a special scanner. This number allows them to retrieve your contact information from a national registry database.

9. What are the potential disadvantages of microchipping?

While rare, potential disadvantages of microchipping include adverse tissue reactions, implanted transponder migration, electromagnetic interference, and a very slight cancer risk. However, the benefits of microchipping far outweigh these rare risks.

10. How long do microchips last in cats?

A microchip is meant to last for the entire lifetime of your cat. They are designed to be permanent and don’t require battery changes or maintenance.

11. Why does my cat have a tattoo in her ear?

A tattoo in your cat’s ear is another common sterilization indicator. Placing it in the ear makes it easily visible and helps those who care for animals recognize that your cat has already been fixed.

12. Should you microchip an indoor cat?

Yes, absolutely. You should microchip an indoor cat. Even if your cat isn’t allowed outside, they can still escape through an open door or window. Microchipping ensures that your cat can be identified and returned to you if they get lost.

13. Can a cat’s body reject a microchip?

Microchips are made from biocompatible materials, and rejection is extremely rare. Over time, the chip becomes encased in the body’s tissue, further preventing it from moving or causing problems.

14. Does PetSmart scan for microchips for free?

Yes, PetSmart stores with a Banfield veterinary clinic inside will scan cats for microchips for free. This is a useful resource if you find a stray cat and want to see if it is microchipped and registered to an owner.

15. Does a microchip prove ownership?

A microchip does not definitively prove ownership. While it identifies the pet and connects it to the person registered on the database, legal ownership can depend on other documents. Think of a car VIN; the VIN identifies the vehicle but doesn’t make one the legal owner. However, it’s incredibly helpful when paired with other factors in proving ownership.