Introduction
Microchipping pets is a common practice that helps reunite lost animals with their owners. However, many pet owners wonder what happens to the microchip if their pet is cremated.
This article explains the fate of a microchip during the cremation process and provides insights into the cremation procedure.
The Cremation Process
How Pet Cremation Works
Pet cremation involves subjecting the pet’s body to high temperatures in a specially designed furnace. The process can be divided into several stages:
- Preparation: The pet’s body is placed in the cremation chamber.
- Heating: The chamber is heated to temperatures ranging from 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 980 degrees Celsius).
- Combustion: The intense heat reduces the body to bone fragments and ash.
- Cooling: The remains are allowed to cool before being processed.
- Processing: The bone fragments are further reduced to a fine ash.
Impact on the Microchip
What Happens to the Microchip?
A microchip is a small, electronic device encased in a glass capsule, typically implanted under the pet’s skin. When a pet is cremated, the high temperatures affect the microchip in the following ways:
- Melting: The glass casing of the microchip melts due to the extreme heat.
- Destruction: The electronic components inside the microchip are destroyed as they cannot withstand the high temperatures.
Essentially, the microchip is rendered non-functional and is typically destroyed during the cremation process.
Considerations for Pet Owners
Before Cremation
- Identification: Ensure the pet’s identification details are updated with the microchip company before cremation if the pet is lost.
- Removal Requests: Some pet owners may request the removal of the microchip before cremation for sentimental reasons or to keep as a memento.
After Cremation
- No Trace: Post-cremation, there will be no identifiable trace of the microchip in the remains.
- Ashes Handling: The ashes returned to the pet owner will not contain any microchip remnants, as they are typically fine and uniform.
Conclusion
During the cremation of a pet, the microchip is subjected to extreme temperatures, causing it to melt and its electronic components to be destroyed.
As a result, the microchip does not survive the cremation process. Understanding this can provide clarity and peace of mind to pet owners who have had their pets microchipped.
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