Microchips in dogs are usually placed just under the skin in the middle of the back, between the shoulder blades along the spine.
Typical location
- Vets inject the chip into the loose skin over the dog’s upper back, between the shoulder blades, so it sits in the subcutaneous tissue (just beneath the skin, not in muscle or bone).
- This spot is chosen because it is less sensitive, easy to scan with a microchip reader, and helps reduce the chance of the chip moving.
Possible variations
- In some small dogs or special cases, a vet may place the chip slightly higher or lower along the back or neck, but still under the skin along the midline.
- Because chips can occasionally migrate a bit under the skin, shelters and vets usually scan the whole shoulder and upper back area when checking for a chip.
