What to put on your dog's ID tag (and what to leave off)
Updated 28 October 2026 · 4 min read
On your dog's ID tag, the essential thing is a phone number where you can always be reached, ideally a second contact, and the fact that it is microchipped. Don't put your full address. Whether to include its name is up to you: there are pros and cons, and we go through them here.
The essentials
- Your mobile number. It is the only thing that is truly needed: whoever finds your dog wants to call you.
- A second number, of someone in your household or someone you trust, in case you don't answer.
- That it is microchipped (“I'm microchipped”). If they can't reach you by phone, they will know a vet or the police can read it.
If you travel abroad with your dog, write the number with the country code (+34 for Spain), so whoever finds it in another country can call you without guessing.
What can also help
- A health note if needed: “I need medication”, “I'm diabetic”, “I have epilepsy”. It makes the finder call you sooner and handle it with more care.
- “I'm shy, don't chase me”, if your dog tends to run from strangers.
- “Reward”, if you like. It isn't necessary, but some people see it as an incentive to call.
What to leave off
Your full address isn't needed: whoever finds your dog will call you, not turn up at your door, and anyone can read the tag. If you want to hint at the area, the neighbourhood or town is enough. Don't add your ID number or other personal details either.
Should I include its name?
There is no single answer. For: whoever finds it can call it by name, and a frightened dog calms down sooner when it hears it. Against: a stranger who knows its name finds it easier to lead the dog away without it becoming wary.
If your dog is calm and sociable, including it helps. If you worry more about it being taken, put just the phone number. Both choices are reasonable.
Material, size and attachment
- Engraving lasts longer than printing. With daily wear, a printed tag can become unreadable within months.
- Choose a size that suits your dog: a big tag bothers a small dog, and a tiny one on a big dog is hard to read.
- If it wears several tags, the jingling may bother it. Silicone covers or tags that sit flat on the collar avoid that.
- Check the ring from time to time: it is the first thing to open or wear out, and a tag that falls off is useless.
Engraved, QR or NFC tag
- Engraved: readable with nothing at all, no phone or signal. But little fits on it, and if you change your number you need a new one.
- QR: the finder opens the camera and sees a profile with more information that you can change at any time. It needs a phone with data, and the code has to be focusable.
- NFC: the finder holds their phone near it and the profile opens, no camera or app. It can also be updated at any time and needs a phone with data.
With QR or NFC you can include far more than on an engraved tag: a button to call you, its allergies or its vet, a lost notice or a button the finder can use to alert you. That is why some owners combine both: an engraved tag with the phone number and another that can be scanned.
Keep the details up to date
An old phone number on the tag is as good as no tag. When you change number, update it, and check that your microchip details in the registry are up to date too: that is what traces you if the tag gets lost.