Your dog is the ultimate companion, so it makes sense that you want to do everything you can to keep them safe, comfortable, and happy. Finding them the right dog collar has a significant impact on your dog’s safety and comfort, which, of course, affects their happiness! That is why it’s important to look for only the best dog collars.
At TheUltimateLeash.com, we offer an incredible selection of unique dog collars, all of which are designed and handcrafted with your furry companion in mind. One of the many advantages of purchasing dog collars from TheUltimateLeash.com is that many of our styles and designs, such as our martingale collar and other buckle collars for dogs, can be engraved with the essential information you need. While microchipping is important, wearable identification is the quickest way to identify a lost pet. Our engraved collars display the information you need on the buckle, eliminating the need to add one of those dangling ID tags to the collar. In this blog, we’ll share some ideas on what you should have engraved on your dog’s collar.
What To Engrave on Pet ID Tags
The engraved buckles on the unique collars from TheUltimateLeash.com work in the same way that your standard engraved ID tags that you can get at the local pet store do. Like the tags, the buckles have a limited amount of space, so you need to choose what information you want to display carefully. If you’re struggling with what to engrave on your dog’s ID, this post will help. Ideally, you want to include information that would be helpful in the event that your dog got loose and ran away. Our engraved dog collars have three lines of space, as do most ID tags — we share our recommendations on what to add below.
TheUltimateLeash.com Recommendations
Your Dog’s Name
This has been somewhat of a controversial topic in recent years, but adding your dog’s name to their ID buckle or tag is something we recommend. Sadly, dog stealing is very much a real thing, and many dog owners argue that adding a name to a pet ID could potentially make it easier for a stranger to take someone’s pet if they were to get loose. However, one could argue that adding the name could help a well-minded rescuer have more success gaining trust in a lost pet and get them back to their owner.
If you are concerned about adding your dog’s name to their ID buckle or tag, we cannot recommend microchipping enough. Microchipping increases the chances of your dog being returned to you, whether they have a name on their ID or not. That’s one of the main reasons why we see no harm in adding the name. Your dog will be with you most of the time anyway — adding the name to their collar or ID tag gives them a personality and allows kind strangers to connect with them on a personal level when they ask you if they can meet your dog.
Your Phone Number
Whether you’re getting one of our engraved collars or are going the traditional ID tag route, you should definitely include your primary contact information. Make sure that this is a number that, when called, someone will answer even if the caller is unknown. This will increase your chances of someone contacting you if your dog gets loose. Additionally, you should add a secondary phone number. If you have a spouse or significant other, adding both your number as well as theirs is a great way to ensure that someone will be reached if your dog is found.
Other Considerations
City, State
Some pet owners like to add their city and state to their pet’s ID buckle or tag. Some even include their entire address. While this is a great way for someone to pin down exactly where a pet came from, adding your entire address to your pet’s ID is definitely a personal preference. We think the city and state would suffice, especially if there is a phone number on the ID as well.
Microchip Information
As mentioned, microchipping is a safe and effective way to ensure that you’re the first person contacted in the event that your pet gets loose. Thankfully, most rescues and even some breeders require microchipping before they send people home with a new K9 companion. Some pet owners whose pets are microchipped prefer to include information about that on their ID tags for collars. Something as simple as engraving ‘Microchipped’ on the buckle or tag will let any good citizen know that a dog has an owner to which they can be traced back. Additionally, it lets any suspicious person know that, well, the dog is traceable.
According to the American Kennel Club, pets with microchips are up to twenty times more likely to be reunited with their owners than pets that aren’t microchipped. If your dog isn’t microchipped, contact your veterinarian. They will likely be able to implant the grain-of-rice-sized chip. Each microchip contains a registration number that can be traced back to you. If you choose to microchip your pet, this can be added as part of the ID engraving — simply list “Microchipped.”
Medical Information
If your dog has specific medical needs, it may be worth including medical information on their ID. Many pets need to take daily medication and letting the person finding your pet know that adds a sense of urgency to ensure they are safely and promptly returned home. Listing other physical conditions such as blindness or deafness also serves as valuable information for someone attempting to help your dog get back to you should they get loose.
If your dog’s medical needs would add urgency in getting them back home, consider getting a separate medical ID tag. There are red tags, marked with the universal medical symbol, available that allow you to engrave critically important medical information about your pet on the back. These tags are easy to add to collars and give owners added peace of mind that their pet’s medical needs will be considered in the event that they got free and ran off.
Personal Message
If you have an extra line of space available and aren’t sure what to add, why not include a personalized message on the engraved collar or ID tag? Sometimes a personal touch can go a long way. It’s really up to you on what you want the message to say, but keep in mind that it needs to be short. If you’re adding a personal message to the collar, we recommend making it something that would be helpful in getting your dog returned to you in the event that they get free — that’s the point of pet IDs, right?
Some examples of effective personal messages to engrave on pet IDs include:
- I’m friendly but lost
- If I’m alone, I’m lost
- Call my human
- Please call my parents
- Help me get home safe
It’s important to carefully consider the information you want to include on your pet’s ID buckle or tag. Again, we think adding your pet’s name and two primary phone numbers gets the job done. When you order engraved dog collars from TheUltimateLeash.com, what you choose to add to your dog’s collar is completely up to you! Shop our selection of products to learn more information about our custom collar engraving.
