The short answer: no, a standard microchip cannot track your cat. It does not show your cat’s location on a map or send location signals to your phone. Its purpose is different: to give your cat a unique identification number that can be read with a microchip scanner if someone finds them.
A microchip can therefore be a great help if your cat goes missing, but only if your cat is found, scanned and linked to up-to-date contact details. If you want to know where your cat is while they are out, you need a device that can actually send location information, such as a GPS tracker.
What is a cat microchip?
A microchip is a small identification chip that a vet inserts under your cat’s skin. It contains a unique code that can be read with a compatible microchip scanner. That code can be used to look up the information registered about your cat in a database.
The chip is a form of identification. It works more like a permanent ID number than a tracking transmitter. It has no GPS, does not show your cat’s movements and does not give you a map with their last known location.
Norwegian pet registry DyreID describes microchipping as a way to identify animals and explains that the chip can be read with a scanner. Read more about microchip identification at DyreID (in Norwegian).
How your cat’s microchip works
When someone finds a cat, they can take them to a vet, an animal welfare organisation or another place with a microchip scanner. The scanner reads the cat’s chip and displays its identification code. That code can then be used to find the relevant registry and look up the owner’s contact details, provided the information has been registered.
The chip does not directly tell the scanner who owns the cat, and it does not transmit the owner’s phone number. It provides an identification code that must be linked to information held in a registry. This is why it is important to check that your cat is actually registered and that your phone number and address are still correct.
You can read more about registration and managing contact details on DyreID’s page for pet owners (in Norwegian).
Can I find my cat from my phone using their microchip?
No. Having a microchip does not let you open an app and see where your cat is. The chip does not broadcast a location signal that your phone can pick up, and it does not update a position on a map.
A microchip mainly helps after someone has found your cat. It can make it easier to identify them and contact you, but it cannot tell you where to search.
This is the difference between identification and tracking:
- Microchip: helps identify your cat when they are found and scanned.
- GPS tracker: sends location information that you can view in an app, subject to the device’s coverage and features.
- Bluetooth tag, such as an AirTag: can report an approximate location when it is detected by devices in the relevant network.
Microchip, GPS or AirTag: what is the difference?
| Device | What it does | Can you follow your cat on a map? |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | Gives your cat a unique ID that can be read with a microchip scanner. | No. |
| GPS tracker | Uses satellite positioning and sends location data through a connection. | Yes, subject to coverage, battery level and the product’s features. |
| AirTag | Uses Bluetooth and Apple’s Find My network when nearby Apple devices can detect it. | It can show an approximate location when the network detects it, but it has no GPS. |
An AirTag does not have GPS. It cannot independently determine and transmit your cat’s location in the way a GPS tracker does. It relies on nearby devices in Apple’s network to detect the tag. If your cat wanders into an area with few people or few Apple devices, the location may be incomplete or may not update. See Apple’s information about AirTag technical specifications.
There are also practical considerations when attaching an AirTag to a cat. The tag is designed to help find belongings, rather than specifically for cats. You need a holder or collar that fits your cat, and the equipment must be attached safely without restricting them. A collar can also snag, so choose a cat collar with a safety release and check the fit regularly.
A GPS tracker is designed to report location, but it has limitations too. It needs power, and location updates can be affected by coverage, terrain and use. Read our explanation of how GPS tracking works and our comparison of GPS trackers and AirTags.
Is a microchip still useful if my cat has GPS?
Yes. A GPS tracker and a microchip do different jobs. GPS can help you see where your cat is, while a microchip can help someone else identify your cat if they are found without the tracker.
A tracker can run out of battery, become detached or fail to send a location in an area with poor coverage. The microchip sits under the skin and does not need a battery or mobile coverage to be read with a scanner. It still cannot show your cat’s location. The two devices can complement each other, but they cannot replace each other.
What should you do if your cat goes missing?
If your cat does not come home as usual, it is sensible to act early:
- Search the immediate area. Look under decking, in sheds, garages and other places where your cat may have become trapped. Ask neighbours to check their buildings.
- Contact vets and local animal welfare organisations. Explain what your cat looks like, when they went missing and how you can be reached.
- Check that the microchip details are up to date. Make sure the phone number in the registry is correct, and add other relevant contacts if the registry offers that option.
- Ask anyone who finds your cat to have them scanned. A microchip only helps if someone reads it and uses the identification code to find the registered owner’s details.
- Share a clear photo and description. Include distinctive markings, any collar or harness, and the area where your cat was last seen.
If your cat is used to going outdoors, a GPS tracker can be useful for following their movements while they are wearing it and the device can send location data. A correctly registered microchip remains important as an additional way to identify your cat.
Frequently asked questions about cat microchips
Can a vet track my cat by reading the microchip?
No. A microchip scanner displays a unique identification code, not your cat’s location. That code can be used to find registered information about the cat and their owner.
Does a cat microchip have GPS?
No. A standard identification microchip has no GPS and does not send location data to an app. It must be read with a microchip scanner.
Does it matter if my registered contact details are out of date?
Yes. Your contact details need to be correct. If the phone number is old or the owner’s details are missing, it may be harder to contact you when your cat is found. Check with your registry to find out how to update the information.
Is a microchip the same as a GPS tracker?
No. A microchip identifies your cat when someone scans it. A GPS tracker is a separate device that can show location information in an app. A tracker therefore does not replace your cat’s identification microchip.
A microchip identifies your cat, but it cannot track them
Your cat’s microchip is an important, permanent means of identification. If your cat is found and scanned, the identification code can be linked to the registered owner’s details. But the chip does not show where your cat is, and it cannot be tracked from your phone.
To follow your cat’s location, you need a separate tracking device. A GPS tracker can show location information in an app, while an AirTag has no GPS and relies on nearby devices in Apple’s network. Whichever option you choose, make sure your cat’s microchip is registered with up-to-date contact details.
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