What to Put on a Dog Tag: Dos and Don'ts for Identification

A quick and easy guide to creating an effective ID tag for your dog

Co-authored by Jennifer Damon and Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 References

What to Put on a Dog Tag

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Dog Tag Example

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How Tags Help

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Where to Buy

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Safety Tips

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Expert Interview

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Tips

If your dog ever runs off or gets lost, having the right information on their tag can help get them back home to you a lot faster. Dog tags have limited space, though, which means you have to be choosy about what you include! So, what's the best approach? In this article, we'll explain exactly what you need to put on your dog's tag to keep them safe if you get separated. We'll also touch on where to buy a tag and share a few other safety tips for protecting your furry friend.

Things You Should Know

Put at least one phone number on the tag so anyone who finds your lost dog can contact you immediately.
Include your dog’s name on the tag so good Samaritans can gain your lost dog’s trust and return them to you quickly.
If your dog has medical issues, add a brief phrase like, “Needs daily medication" to create more urgency around their return.

Section 1 of 5:

What to Put on a Dog Tag

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Your dog’s name Lost dogs tend to be scared and confused in unfamiliar surroundings, so your dog may not be okay with a stranger handling them. If the person is able to use your dog’s name, though, they'll probably feel more comfortable around them and be more likely to cooperate.^{[1]
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- If your dog is an expensive breed and you’re concerned about theft, a stranger could use your dog’s name to gain their trust. Feel free to leave their name off the tag and put your name instead.^{[2]
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Your phone number and/or email address If your dog gets lost or wanders off and someone finds them, you want that person to be able to get in touch with you right away. Your mobile number is the best option since you probably have your cell phone on you at all times. You can also include a second number and/or an email address just in case.^{[3]
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- Make sure at least one of the phone numbers is set up with voicemail.
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Your city or home address With your address on the tag, someone can hand-deliver your lost dog straight to you! If privacy or personal security is a concern for you, though, you can absolutely leave your full home address off. Even including basic geographical info like your city/state can be helpful.^{[4]
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- If you live in the UK, your home address must be on the dog tag by law.^{[5]
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Health issues or medical needs Including this info is a good idea if your dog has a health issue that requires regular care, like daily medications, since it creates a sense of urgency about returning them to their owner. There’s not a lot of room on a dog tag for details, though, so stick with a super simple phrase like “Needs Daily Medication.”^{[6]
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Microchip information You could add a simple phrase like “I’m chipped!” to alert whoever finds your dog that they’re essentially registered to you (which might deter pet theft). Including microchip info may also motivate someone to bring your pup to a vet or shelter if you happen to miss their initial call.^{[7]
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- Be sure to keep your info up to date with the microchip company! If your dog's chip is scanned by a vet or shelter, they'll expect the registered info (especially the name) to match what you provide before they'll release the dog to you.
- Some pet owners like to include the microchip number on the tag itself, while others discourage this due to theft concerns. With access to the microchip number, a thief could potentially try to re-register your dog under their name.^{[8]
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Spay/neuter information If your dog is a special or expensive breed, theft can be a concern. Thieves typically want to steal these types of dogs and use them for breeding, so including a simple phrase like, “I’m neutered!” on the tag may potentially deter a thief.^{[9]
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Reward This is completely up to you, but if you’re able to afford a reward, including that incentive on the tag may encourage folks to return your dog to you even faster. Just make sure the reward is something you can feasibly afford.^{[10]
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Dog Tag Example

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Front of the tag Spike 1234 Clover Lane New York, NY 10001 555-555-5555
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Back of the tag Yourpersonalemail@gmail.com Needs daily medications I'm microchipped!

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How Tags Help

A dog tag can get your lost dog returned to you more quickly. The idea of losing a dog is upsetting for any dog owner. Since a dog tag is essentially an external form of ID attached to your dog’s collar, any good Samaritan who finds them will be able to get in touch with you right away. It's a super simple way to minimize your anxiety (and your dog’s) if you get separated from each other.^{[11]
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Where to Buy

You can order a customized dog tag online or through any pet retailer. Amazon offers a wide variety of styles, colors, and printing options for dog tags. You can also see if local pet retailers like PetCo and PetSmart have a dog tag engraving machine on-site and use that. If you want something extra special, you can even find unique and hand-made dog tags on sites like Etsy.

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Safety Tips

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Get your dog microchipped. A microchip is a small, electronic chip that’s implanted under your dog’s skin and encoded with your contact information. If your dog gets lost, a vet or shelter can scan the microchip and get in touch with you immediately so you can be reunited.^{[12]
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- Your vet can microchip your dog quickly and easily during a routine office visit. Getting the chip implanted isn’t painful for your dog and no surgery or anesthesia is required.
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Invest in a GPS collar. If your dog gets spooked easily or tends to wander (or run!) off pretty frequently, a GPS collar can be super helpful! You’ll be able to use a mobile app to track the exact location of your dog at any time.^{[13]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
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