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Our favorite ways to keep your pet's vital information easily accessible beaded leash factory
The Spruce Pets / Marcus Millan
Dogs can’t ask for help for themselves when they get lost. That’s why it’s essential to protect your pet with an ID tag, so they will always have a way to reunite with you.
“All pets should be wearing identification tags, even if microchipped,” says veterinarian Debbie Chew, DVM, owner of East Greenbush Animal Hospital in East Greenbush, New York. “An ID tag that attaches to the collar, flat against the collar, and collars imprinted or embroidered with your pet’s information are all options.”
We researched the best ID tags for your dog with advice from Dr. Chew, reviews, and manufacturer warranties.
Lots of space for personal information (eight lines)
Text is easy to read
Font is quite small when you use all the lines of text
Laser engraving not as permanent
These tags are made of stainless steel—which won’t rust—and they are available in two sizes. Plus you also get your choice of eight shapes, including bow ties, bones, flowers, hearts, and stars. Two-sided engraving means there’s room for up to eight lines of text, such as your name, multiple phone numbers (including your vet’s), allergies, and your address. The tags are practical, serviceable, and reasonably priced, with enough customization options that you have meaningful choices without feeling overwhelmed.
It also helps that GoTags are so widely available, including on Amazon, Chewy, and Petco retail sites. If you want a very specific design, color, or material, look elsewhere, but GoTags are easy to design, affordable, and practical.
Tag Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 1 inch, 1.33 inch | Shapes: Bow tie, flower, heart, house, badge, rectangle, circle, star | Colors: Not applicable
Front and back engraving available
These engraved ID tags are made from flimsier aluminum instead of stainless steel, but the Providence Engraving tags make up for it with their incredible price. Plus, they’re available in eight shapes and nine different color options for a surprising variety of possible customizations.
Providence Engraving Pet ID Tags are easy to get engraved with your dog’s info—there’s a customization form built right into the Amazon page!—and can be engraved on both the front and back, for a total of eight lines of data.
Tag Material: Aluminum | Sizes: 1 inch (small), 1.25 inch (large) | Shapes: Bone, circle, GI tag, paw, heart, cat face, star, hydrant | Colors: Blue, red, pink, black, silver, purple, orange, green, gold
Makes Apple AirTags waterproof and durable
Uses tiny screws, making it a little tricky to affix
Too bulky for very small dogs
Apple’s AirTags are some of our favorite dog tracking devices, since you can find an AirTag’s location—using the Find My app—with either your own device or via proximity to any other iPhone or iPad on the Find My network. In cities, where you’re surrounded by iPhones all the time, an AirTag can perform even better than GPS. However, AirTags are only water-resistant (not waterproof) and not really designed for the rigors of a dog’s life.
Enter ElevationLab’s TagVault Pet, a waterproof and armored enclosure for attaching AirTags to any dog collar. The TagVault Pet will fit any collar up to a thickness of 0.2 inches. The TagVault uses custom “self-tapping” screws and comes with a little tool you use to mount it on your dog’s collar. Despite the robust protection it offers, the TagVault has thoughtful design elements that still let you access AirTag features, including the ability to hear the AirTag chime. There’s also a second set of screws on the front of the TagVault which lets you change the AirTag battery without having to fully remove the mount.
Tag Material: Stainless steel, composite | Size: 5.87 x 4.84 x 0.55 inches | Shapes: Rectangle | Colors: Black
Room for a lot of information
Get any state ID, and many countries too
Tags are bulky and dangle
These novelty tags mimic state driver's licenses and can hold way more information than your typical ID tag, including a photo of your pet, date of birth, breed, gender, eye color, special traits, and all the standard information you’d expect to find on an ID tag.
Not only is there a design available for every U.S. state (some states have multiple design options), but there are also versions of the ID mimicking a wide range of identification cards from around the world. There’s also an FBI (Federal Barking Investigation) version of the tag, but you probably shouldn’t give your dog that much authority without careful consideration.
Made from a combination of aluminum and polycarbonate, Drivers License ID Tags are lightweight and waterproof, with three different sizes to choose from. TagsForHope also offers a lifetime warranty, and will replace your tag for any reason—all you need to pay is a shipping and fulfillment fee.
Manufacturer TagsForHope is also deeply involved in charitable work, offering grants to animal shelters and supporting non-profit rescues through nearly 500 partner programs.
Tag Material: Aluminum, polycarbonate | Sizes: 1.2 x 1.6 inches (small), 1.5 x 1.9 inches (regular), 1.7 x 2.2 inches (jumbo) | Shapes: Rectangle | Colors: Based on ID design
Lettering is easy to read
Four shapes: bone, circle, heart, and star
Engraving only on one side
The Lucky Pet Glow-in-the-Dark Pet ID Tag is made out of photo-luminescent plastic that is a muted off-white color during the day and then emits a bright green glow at night to make it easier to spot your dog in the dark.
After a few minutes in the sunlight, the tag quickly recharges its glow-in-the-dark properties that can last for several days. There is space for engraving on the tag simply by selecting the size and shape you want and clicking the "Customize Now" button to add your information.
The Lucky Pet tag comes in four shapes: circle, bone, heart, and star, and in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The tags are lightweight and durable and come with a lifetime guarantee from Lucky Pet. There is space for up to five lines of engraved text information on any given tag, but the engraving font is limited to all caps and is located only on the front side of the tag.
Tag Material: Plastic | Sizes: Small, medium, large | Shapes: Circle, bone, heart, star | Colors: Not applicable
Contact information saved on a chip accessible via QR code
No app or subscription needed
Not everyone will know how to use the tag to access your information
The Patpet Information Storing NFC Smart Pet ID Tag is a lightweight tag with a chip inside where you can store your contact information. Unlike traditional ID tags that are engraved, the information saved to the Patpet tag can be updated at any time and as often as needed.
If your dog gets lost, anyone who finds them can scan the tag via QR (Quick Response) code or by mobile phone NFC (Near Field Communication) to quickly get your information. However, not everyone is up to date on this technology, so there is a chance that the finder might not know how to access your contact information.
The tag is waterproof and comes with two stainless steel attachment rings. It is made of eco-friendly resin (a type of plastic) that's durable and able to withstand the elements, and there is no app to download or subscription required.
Tag Material: Stainless steel, plastic, metal | Size: 1 x 1 x 0.01 inches | Shapes: Circle | Colors: Not applicable
Tag and font sizes run small
Dangling metal dog tags may look cute, but the noises they make can be a nuisance, especially if you're a light sleeper or have an active dog. The sleek DOG iD dog tag lies flat so it won't jingle and resists snagging. You simply slide your dog's collar through the sturdy dual-ended elastic bands that safely secure the tag in place.
The tag is made from medical-grade stainless steel with room for four to six lines of engraved text, depending on tag size. It's available in three colors—graphite, slate, or rose gold—and in three sizes. Note that there is only enough room for four lines of custom text on the small tag. Also, the font might be hard to read, especially if there is a lot of text.
Tag Material: Stainless steel | Size: 1.25 x 0.5 x 0.125 inches (small), 1.25 x 0.75 x 0.125 inches (medium/large), 1.25 x 1 x 0.125 inches (x-large) | Shapes: Rectangle | Colors: Graphite, slate, rose gold
Free personalized embroidering up to 25 characters
Not very visible in low light conditions
With the GoTags Personalized Dog Collar, you can skip the tags altogether by putting your phone number and your dog's name directly on the collar. During our testing of dog collars, we found the lightweight, adjustable GoTag easy to use and its soft nylon webbing durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear.
You have a choice of four sizes, five collar colors (pink, orange, blue, red, and black), and 15 colors of embroidery thread for a customized look. The collar has room for up to 25 characters. While we love how affordable these collars are, we wish they had some reflective accents to make them visible in low light.
Tag Material: Nylon | Size: 8-12 inches (x-small), 11-16 inches (small), 14-20 inches (medium), and 18-26 inches (large) | Shapes: N/A | Colors: Pink, orange, blue, red, black
Lots of color and design options
Can be a bit too big for some pets
Silicone tags are another great jingle-free option. These bright fun tags from Besties Pets come in a broad range of colors, lettering, and designs. You have numerous ways to personalize your dog tag on both sides with a laser-engraved name, cute phrasing, and vital pet info like "Have your people call my people!" and "Microchipped" that's easy to read.
These tags are made of 100 percent silicone so they're flexible, durable, and easy to clean. One potential drawback to note is that the tag might be a bit big for some pets, making it easier for them to chew through the silicone.
Tag Material: Silicone | Size: 1.25 x 2 inches | Shapes: Hexagon | Colors: 24
A pound of dog food donated to rescue shelter for each order
Crafted from nickel-free stainless steel, The Foggy Dog Pet ID Tag has a shiny gold finish that gives it a chic, understated look. It comes in three sizes with a matching split ring and a choice of six design options to embellish the custom lettering. You can engrave your pup’s name on the front from a selection of fonts and add optional contact information on the back.
You may find that the font size difficult to read, particularly on the small size tag. Additionally, some embellishments, such as the wildflowers, might not be as distinguishable. The Pet ID tag is also available in bone, heart, or flower shapes.
Tag Material: Stainless steel | Size: Small, medium, large | Shapes: Circle, bone, heart, flower | Colors: Gold
Our favorite dog ID tag is the GoTag Stainless Steel Dog Tag, which is easy to customize online, comes in a wide range of options, and is made of durable stainless steel. If you’re sick of the dangling and the jangling, check out DOG iD tags, which fit flush against your dog’s collar.
Your dog’s ID tag should be large enough to show your pet’s name and phone number. If possible, an address should also be displayed, because most dogs are lost close to home, says Dr. Chew. The size should also be proportional to your pet: Toy dogs should have tags an inch or less in size, while larger dogs can wear a tag that’s 1.25 to 1.5 inches or so.
Pet ID tags typically are made of metal or plastic; both have pros and cons. Metal, such as stainless or aluminum, is typically more durable and less likely to break off than plastic, but it also has a tendency to jingle and make more noise up against other tags. In addition, both print and engraving can wear off over time on either type of material, so check tags frequently to make sure they’re still in good shape.
If the print is too tiny or fancy, it’s tough to read. Opt for the largest font size possible on a tag so it can be read quickly and easily, and stick with block typefaces, not script, which is sometimes difficult to interpret.
Some collar tags come with scannable QR codes, which makes it easy to get all the owner info at a glance. However, there’s no way of knowing if the person who finds your dog will know what to do with it (remember, people have varying levels of tech-savviness), and cell service might be limited if you’re on a camping trip, for example. Technology is great for enhancing your dog’s protection, but old-school still wins when it comes to being able to get owner information from your dog’s ID tags at a glance.
Absolutely! “This is the first thing an animal control officer or person who has found your lost pet will look for to find an owner,” veterinarian Debbie Chew, DVM, told The Spruce Pets. “Microchips are helpful, but only shelters and animal hospitals have scanners, and oftentimes, they don’t scan easily, information isn’t updated, or the animal may make it difficult to wave the scanner over them when they’re scared.”
Your dog’s ID tag should have their name and a phone number in large print. If there’s room, an address is also helpful because most pets are lost close to home. “It’s also important to make sure the information is current because I’ve often been called into the office to check on a lost pet because they have on one of our rabies tags but no ID,” says Dr. Chew.
The metal key ring-type loops are okay to attach to the collar, but there are risks. “These loops can tangle in the long hair of some dogs, and toes and toenails can be lodged in the ring as well,” says Dr. Chew. “I prefer flat tags that attach to the collar, which decrease the risk of the tag getting caught on something. For example, tags can become lodged between the bars of the kennel or grates on the bottom of the kennel. The same risk occurs with dogs crated at home.”
Yes! Microchips and ID tags work together to protect your dog and bring your fur baby safely home to you if lost. ID tags provide instant identification, while microchips provide permanent identification if ID tags are lost. But make sure both forms of ID are updated if your phone or address changes, says Dr. Chew. If you adopt a pet with a microchip, make sure to register your own information with the manufacturer when you bring your baby home, and update it if your address or phone number changes.
If you haven’t microchipped your pet yet, don’t worry that microchipping is painful. It’s often done at the time of a spay or neuter so your pet never feels the needle. Even if awake, the chip is the size of a grain of rice, and it’s similar to the amount of time it takes to give a vaccine, says Dr. Chew. It’s really a moment of discomfort to make sure your fur baby is identified for life. Microchips also are required for international travel.
cat pet id tags This article was written by Arricca SanSone, a lifelong dog lover who shares her home with two microchipped and ID tag-wearing papillons. She chooses collars with embroidered ID to prevent the risk of entrapment, or she removes collars before bedtime or when crating her boys if they’re wearing ID tags. She researched the market with tips from veterinarian Debbie Chew, DVM, reviews, and manufacturer warranties.