For most of us, our dogs are part of the family, which is why losing them is an extremely painful experience. As such, we would do everything we can to ensure that they remain safe and sound at home with us. However, unexpected things might occur, and our precious canine friends can sometimes get far away from home.
Therefore, to ensure that our beloved pet dogs return home as quickly and as safely as possible, the best dog tags can certainly help. To help you with that, we have prepared a quick buying guide as well as reviewed some of the products in the market which we believe are among the best.
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There are a few factors you need to consider when deciding about which dog tags to get for your pet. They’re as follows:
Engraving
First and foremost, the engraving on your dog’s tags should be readable. This way, the person who will find your dog once he’s lost will have an easier time reading the information on the tag and call you immediately. Although regular engraving should be enough, a more long-lasting method is embossing. It’s a bit pricier than regular engraving but is way more durable.
Durability
You need to ensure that the tags are durable enough so they will stay on the collar even when your dog wanders off and gets lost. This is especially important for very active dogs because there’s a higher chance of their tags falling off due to their hyperactive personality.
Materials
It’s also important to take into account the materials of which your dog tags are made. The material determines the durability of the tag. The most common materials used for dog tags are:
Stainless Steel – stainless steel tags are the most common types of dog tags because they’re durable, resistant to rust, and easy to engrave. Moreover, they’re more affordable and lightweight, making them perfect for pups and small dogs.
Aluminum – another option is aluminum tags; however, since aluminum is more reactive than stainless steel, it is often painted or nickel-coated. Like stainless steel, it is affordable and easy to engrave.
Style
Dog tags are usually pieces of flat metal that are attached to your dog’s collar via a split ring. However, there are also other styles of dog tags that are slid onto the collar itself, kind of like a belt buckle. These types of dog tags are less likely to fall off.
Design
Although dog tags are primarily functional, they can be stylish as well. Many dog tags, especially aluminum ones, can be found in different colors which will allow you to match your dog’s ID tags to his dog leash and collar.
Durable with a Double-sided Engraving
The GoTags stainless steel tags are made of premium stainless steel, making them durable and less prone to daily wear and tear.
Moreover, since they’re made of stainless steel, they are unlikely to wear thin and break, making them longer-lasting than aluminum tags. It comes in 9 different shapes and is available for engraving of 4 lines on each side.
Why We Like It:
- Its stainless steel material makes it more durable than usual
- There are 9 different shapes which will allow you to pick the best one suited to your dog’s style
- Can be engraved on both sides
- Its durability makes it unlikely to wear thin
What We Don’t Like:
- Many customers have noted that the engraving quality is inconsistent.
Affordable and Fully Customizable
The Providence engraving pet ID tags are made of high-quality anodized aluminum which makes it a great and affordable choice for dog tags. It’s customizable and comes in different shapes and colors, allowing you to match it with your dog’s collar and leash.
Why We Like It:
- Fully customizable
- Come in many different shapes and sizes
- Made of aluminum material, making them more affordable.
- The tags are made of high-quality anodized aluminum
What We Don’t Like:
- Reviews state that the colors of the tags rub off after a while
Easy to Attach and Doesn’t Fall Off
The GoTags slide-on pet ID tags are made of durable stainless steel which is perfect for even the most active of dogs. Each of the tags slides on easily on a single-thickness dog collar, ensuring that it won’t fall off. The style of the tag depends on the collar type. Information can be engraved on the tag via laser engraving, with each one allowing for 4 lines on one side.
Why We Like It:
- Suitable for more active pets due to its durability
- Easily slides onto most collars
- Comes in many different sizes, giving you more options for collars
What We Don’t Like:
- Users have noted that the engraving on the tags fades over time
Stylish and Affordable
Made of high-quality aluminum, these pet tags are thick and anodized, making them extremely durable while still maintaining an affordable price. They come in different shapes and colors, allowing for engravings of up to 4 lines of text. The engraving is done via laser and is easy to read, making it easy for those who find your beloved pet to contact or find you.
The only downside with the engraving is that many have said that it’s not deep enough, allowing it to fade and become unreadable over time. Despite this, the Vet Recommended tags are still considered to be among the best dog tags for pets.
Why We Like It:
- Made of thick and high-quality aluminum
- Come in different shapes and colors
- The tags are fully customizable
- The aluminum is anodized, making the tags incredibly durable
What We Don’t Like:
- Customers say the engraving isn’t deep enough, with it fading after a while.
The GoTags custom tags are made of stainless steel and fashioned like the standard US Military dog tags worn by soldiers. These tags come in pairs and can accommodate up to 5 lines of text each. They come with silencers, and both the tags and silencers can be found in different colors.
Why We Like It:
- Comes with a classic look
- Includes silencers in the package
- Both the tags and silencers come in different colors
What We Don’t Like:
- The metal used is too thin which can be easily bitten off by your dog
LuckyPet Rivet-On Pet ID Tag
Lifetime Guarantee to Ensure Quality
This durable and silent pet ID tags come in either stainless steel (matte or mirror finish) or polished brass colors and can accommodate up to 5 lines of custom laser engraving. They have a lifetime guarantee but you won’t need it as it is chew-proof.
Its curved design allows it to rest comfortably on your dog’s collar and reduces the chances of it falling off easily.
Why We Like It:
- Durable and silent
- Comes with a classy design
- Features a lifetime guarantee
- It’s chew-proof so you don’t have to worry about your dog accidentally choking on it
- Comes in a curved design which perfectly fits on your dog’s neck
What We Don’t Like:
- User reviews say that the rivets tend to fall out and they have to look for replacements themselves.
FAQ
Q: Which is better: microchips or dog tags?
A: Many dog owners prefer microchips because they’re more permanent and are nearly impossible to lose. Moreover, many prefer them together with an invisible dog fence because they think these are enough to keep their dogs safe at home.
Nevertheless, dog tags are still necessary so that people may identify that a dog is a pet and not a stray immediately upon sight. People are also more likely to help pets over strays, increasing the likelihood of your pet getting help once found.
Furthermore, dog tags also allow people to immediately contact the owner once they find the dog, increasing the chances of your pet coming home to you as soon as possible. Microchips and dog tags work in tandem to keep your dog safe and sound in the event that they wander off and get lost.
Q: What should I put on my dog’s tags?
Here are generally what you should put on your dog’s pet ID tags:
- Your dog’s name
- Your name
- Contact number
- Your address or area if you’re not comfortable disclosing your full address
Final Thoughts
As pet owners, making sure that our beloved companions get the best that we could offer, especially when it comes to their safety and security, is important. Dog tags are a great way to ensure that your dog can be easily identified and returned to you in the event that they get loose and wander off.