What To Put On A Dog Tag: Keeping Your Dog Safe

Their Dog's Name

This one’s pretty straightforward: as you’re exploring what to put on a tag, don’t forget the pet’s name. Put it in either bold letters or a larger font right at the top of the tag.

A dog’s eyes might get big and they might bark or whine, but dogs think about their situation. They can be trained extensively and can learn. So even if a stranger calls their dog's name, your pup is likely to recognize it and be more obedient. If that dog's name is front and center on the pup’s tag, it makes things easier for everybody.

Additionally, your dog may be less nervous with their temporary babysitter if they can call them by their dog's name. This might make the experience less stressful for everyone involved

Phone Number

Obviously, when you’re exploring what to put on a tag, your contact number should be at the top of the list. While not everyone likes giving out their contact number, it is the most convenient and immediate method for someone to contact you should they find your dog. 

You may even want to put a few different phone numbers on the tag to ensure that someone else could be contacted if you are away from your phone. 

You don't pay by the letter with our tags, so you can put multiple phone numbers on a single tag if you'd like. Keep in mind, the more info you want to add to the tag, the bigger the tag may need to be to maintain legibility. 

Home Address

So what to put on a tag may differ from region to region. If you live in a small town, then your dog may not get far, so you can be a little more vague with your address, but the larger the area, the more specific you may need to be, potentially all the way up to the postal code and country.

In some situations, a full address may not be all that helpful, like if you are vacationing with your dog in another province or country. In this case, a city and country may be enough to help someone get your dog back to you.

Email Address

An email address, provided it’s not overly long, is also a great answer to the question “what should I put on dog tags?” If someone can’t call you, email is a great way to go. Email also allows them to send you something, like a video or a picture, through email to verify that they have your pet without incurring any costs that may be associated with texting these multi-media and social media messages.

Your email may be too long to fit on dog tags, so it's not a necessity, but if it fits, it's a good idea. Don't stress too much about fitting everything on the tag, and instead, think more about putting the most important information that will legibly fit on the dog tag.

Medical Needs

Many dog lovers forget medication when they’re considering what to put on a dog. Especially given the variety of breeds out there, and how those breeds are made, it’s considerable that some pups have “built-in”, if you will, medical issues.

If you can fit pertinent information on there, you should. It could be very helpful; especially if your pup is lost for a while. Think of their tag as a medic alert bracelet. Conditions like diabetes or food allergies can be noted to ensure that whoever finds your dog knows they may need to be cautious about what they feed your pet. 

Other Relevant Information

Lastly, you want to be sure any other relevant info is included when you’re thinking about what to put on a tag. Any behaviours that your dog may show that might surprise a stranger could be added to the tag. 

For example, if your dog is reactive around cats, that might be something a fellow pet lover might want to know before potentially bringing your dog home if they need to.

What an Effective Dog Tag Looks Like

Not everything listed above needs to go on every tag. You pick the information that is most relevant to your dog and your dog's situation. If you want your dog tag to be thorough, then what to put on a tag may require a little strategy. This is a possible template:

Front

Back

Now certainly, that’s a lot of info to fit on a tiny tag, so you want to be strategic. You may have to condense things, stick to tags that allow engraving on both sides, or buy two tags. Perhaps instead of putting the full dog's name of a medication, you just put the words - meds needed. 

Even with some abbreviations, you may still need to cut out information to fit the most relevant info on the tag.  Maybe pull out the email or the special advisements if they aren't absolutely required. A lot of times, pet owners use just a dog's name and cell number to make sure it's easy to read.

Ideally, you'd want a little more info than that, but if you have a very small dog, they'll need a very small tag, which means you can only put a very small amount of info on it. Additionally, you can certainly have multiple tags printed if more information is required. 

Dog Microchips

A very common practice for dog owners is microchipping their pets. This involves a small microchip being injected under your dog’s skin with a needle. This small chip is then registered, allowing any vet’s office to scan the chip, pulling up the animal’s contact info. 

Unlike a dog ID tag, a microchip can be damaged or lost, so even if he loses his dog collar and tags, he can still be returned to you quickly. 

The cost to microchip a pet through your vet is usually around $70 in Canada, but you may be able to find a better price through your local SPCA. They often offer some basic services, like microchipping or spaying/neutering for cheaper to encourage pet owners and potential pet adopters to choose these responsible pet ownership practices. 

Today, microchipping technology uses something called an ISO standard. This allows microchips of different frequencies to be scanned by any microchip scanner. If your pet is lost in a different city, or even country, their chip should be scannable.

While microchips are very safe, they do have a downside. Microchips can shift under your dog’s skin, moving to a different location. Though it won’t harm your dog, it will make the chip harder to find and scan. Vets know to look in a wider search area when looking for a microchip, just in case it has moved. 

According to Dogsnaturallymagazine.com, there may be more serious side effects of microchipping your dog: 

"Medical reports and scientific studies reveal that dogs and cats have developed aggressive cancerous growths at the site of their microchip implants."

While this is concerning, it is extremely rare. Though microchipping is an effective method for identifying your pet, it's not your only choice. Talk to your vet if you have concerns about the safety of microchipping your dog. 

Dog Tattoos

Your dog might look pretty rad with some sweet tats, but the tattoos that we are talking about are for identification purposes only. This is a less common practice these days, but it’s absolutely still an option. 

The tattoo is written in code, so you may not know what it says, but the serial number will be registered, allowing a vet to look up the file associated with the phone number. 

You may not like a good idea of a tattoo for your dog. Rest assured, the procedure is minimally invasive, and not very painful. It’s often done with your dog fully awake. Though generally safe, there is a small risk of allergic reactions. It’s very rare, and usually not serious. 

Another factor is that just like human tattoos, the ink can fade and stretch with the skin, which could make it harder to read as your dog gets older. To make the ink easier to read, swipe a cotton swab with a small amount of rubbing alcohol across the tattoo. The ink will look a little clearer, allowing you to read the full code. 

Special ID tag for Travelling with Dogs

When the issue of what to put on a tag presents itself, you’ve got a lot of options. Ultimately, it’s up to you, but if you’re going to be traveling regularly with your animal, you want it to be easy for those in another city to contact you should your pooch decide to be mischievous and run off after a squirrel or something.

Your regular dog tag may have your home address or home phone number, but that won't be of much help in a different country. Cell phone numbers and email addresses are going to be much more relevant in these situations. 

If you are traveling in a country that speaks a different language, then you may want a tag engraved with your pet's information in the appropriate language. If whoever finds your dog doesn't speak or read English, then they may have a heck of a time returning your lost pooch. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why are pet ID tags important for my dog's safety? 

Pet ID tags are crucial because they provide a quick way for someone to contact you if your dog becomes lost or is found by a Good Samaritan, increasing the chances of a safe return.

What information should I include on my dog's ID tag?

Include your dog's name, your phone number, and your city or address.  Also, you can add other essential details like a secondary contact number or medical information if your dog has special needs.

Should I include my dog's name on the ID tag?

Yes, including your dog's name can help establish a personal connection with anyone who finds your pet, making it easier for them to comfort your dog and call them by name.

Can I use a microchip instead of an ID tag?

While microchips are valuable for permanent identification, they require a special scanner. ID tags are more immediate and visible, providing an easy way for anyone to contact you without special equipment.

How often should I update my dog's ID tag information?

Regularly check and update your dog's ID tag if any contact information changes, such as your phone number or address. This ensures that the information is always accurate.

What should I do if my dog loses their ID tag? 

If your dog's ID tag is lost or damaged, replace it promptly to maintain their safety. Temporary tags or collars with your contact information can serve as a backup while you obtain a new permanent ID tag.