What to put on a dog tag?

There's nothing worse than losing a furry family member: fact. Unfortunately, it's a real worry for us pet parents - 1 in 3 pets will be lost during their lifetime, and a staggering 10 million pets are lost every year, according to The Humane Society of the United States. 

Try as we might, our pets are notorious escape artists - and it can only take a split second for your dog to dart off during a walk, or else slink out of the backyard. Avoid the heartbreak that comes with losing a pet, and invest in a trusty pet ID tag. As well as being a legal requirement in many places around the world, it can also help to reunite you with your precious furbaby - should the unthinkable happen. Without further ado, then, let’s dive on in to what to put on a dog tag...

Why is a dog tag so important? 

While microchipping, lost pet apps, and social media can all help in finding a lost pet, a dog tag is arguably one of the cheapest, fastest, and most effective ways of finding a lost pooch. Dog tags also indicate to strangers that yes, your dog is somebody's pet - and reduces the chances of people mistaking them for a stray. 

Not to mention, it may also be a legal requirement to have a dog tag - depending on where you live. For example, in the UK, dogs are required by law to wear a pet tag with their owner’s name and address on it, while across the pond in the USA, some states require pets to wear proof of rabies vaccination.

In our (humble) opinion, dog tags are an essential part of your pet parenting toolkit, and should be used for all kinds of pets - from puppies to seniors, and not forgetting our feline friends, either! 

What info to put on a dog tag?

With a typical pet ID tag often no larger than the size of a quarter, when it comes to what to put on a dog ID tag, maximizing the amount of space you do have is key! Consider including the following:

• Your name and address - either your full street address or just your town/city/state*
• Your contact information - such as your phone number and/or email address
• Whether your dog is microchipped - you may also want to attach a second tag to your pet’s collar with their microchip information, including the name of the microchip company and your pet's microchip number
  

* Note that in the UK, it is a legal requirement to include your full home address on your pet's tag

If you have a double-sided dog tag, you can maximize the amount of information listed on your pet’s tag by making use of the back, too. When it comes to what to put on the back of a dog tag, it’s a good idea to include:

• Whether your pet is spayed/neutered - this can be a good deterrent to ward off potential dog thieves, looking for pets to breed or sell
• Whether your dog has any health conditions or needs daily medication - if applicable, this can also add a sense of urgency to whoever finds your missing pooch! 

What *not* to include on your dog's ID tag

The eagle-eyed dog owners amongst you will have already noticed that we haven’t included ‘your pet’s name’ on our list of what to put on your dog tag. Why? Well, unfortunately, dog theft is on the rise, and while we’d hope that whoever finds your dog has nothing but good intentions, knowing your dog's name could help a potential thief gain your pet's trust, or pass off your pet as their own. Unless there's a specific reason you need your pet's name on your tag, we'd avoid it.

What type of dog tag should I get? And other helpful tips 

Firstly, think material. Most dog name tags on the market are made of sturdy metal enamel, making them durable and long-lasting. Look for a lightweight tag that won't be too large for your dog to ensure their ulti-mutt comfort. From there, though, the choice is really yours! With so many options out there - from colored and personalized tags to bone and heart-shaped ones, the world of doggy ID tags is truly your oyster.

Some dogs will take to their dog tag immediately, but for others - especially our more nervous pooch pals - it may take a few goes and a bit of patience. Introduce your dog to its new tag gradually, and use positive reinforcement (aka, treats!) to help them feel more comfortable with their new safety accessory. We’d also recommend looking into tag silencers, which can be especially helpful if your pooch gets spooked by the sound of its tag. If your pooch really struggles with a hanging tag, you could always consider stitching your contact information into your dog's collar, instead.

If your escape artist canine happens to wander off fairly frequently, you might also be interested in investing in a GPS dog collar, which you can often link up to a mobile app to accurately track your pooch's whereabouts.

Finally, you may want to consider using a temporary tag if you’re planning on going on holiday or taking a road trip with your dog, with the details of your temporary accommodation and an up-to-date cell phone number that you can be contacted on while you’re away. 

How to prevent your pet from going missing

Did you know July is Lost Pet Prevention Month? Swot up on our helpful blog articles below for everything you need to know - from how to find a lost pet to the best GPS trackers, we’ve covered it all...

• How to find a lost dog
• What to do when a pet doesn't return home
• 5 ways to stop cats from escaping the garden
• Best GPS cat trackers for kitties about town