Bringing a dog or cat from Canada to the United Kingdom
Under the United Kingdom's rules, pets from Canada are in the group “From listed non-EU countries”. A dog from Canada needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About the United Kingdom: Pets from the EU and listed countries face no quarantine if microchipped, rabies-vaccinated 21+ days, and dogs are tapeworm-treated 1-5 days before arrival. Pets must use approved routes, and from unlisted countries need a blood test plus a 3-month wait.
From listed non-EU countries Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: Wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or last dose of the primary course) before travel.
Step by step
Use an approved route
Check your airline, ferry or rail route is approved for pet travel into GB (not needed from Ireland or within the UK).
Microchip, then vaccinate
Microchip before the rabies vaccine, then wait at least 21 full days after the first vaccination before travelling.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A vet must give a praziquantel-based treatment 24-120 hours (1-5 days) before arrival and record product, date, time, stamp and signature. Not needed if travelling directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.
Get a GB pet health certificate
Signed, stamped and dated by a government-authorised official vet. The pet must enter GB within 10 days of issue.
Complete the pet travel declaration
Declare you will not sell or transfer ownership. If the pet travels more than 5 days apart from you, or you bring more than 5 pets (not for a show/competition), stricter commercial (Balai) rules apply.
Non-compliant pets may be quarantined for up to 4 months at owner's cost, or refused entry if arriving by sea.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same as dogs, except cats need no tapeworm treatment. Cats from Australia also need an Australian Department of Agriculture certificate.
- Banned breeds
- Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully (only with a Certificate of Exemption)
- How many pets
- Up to 5 pets per person under non-commercial rules; more only for competitions, shows or sporting events, otherwise commercial (Balai) rules apply.
- Parasite treatment
- Dogs: tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) treatment with praziquantel by a vet 24-120 hours before arrival, every trip; exempt when arriving directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. For trips of 5 days or less the dog can be treated before leaving GB if it returns within 120 h; treat again within 28 days of return. None for cats.
- Arrival
- Must use an approved route (specific airlines, ferries, rail) unless travelling from Ireland or within the UK. Guide/assistance dogs have their own approved routes list.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Canada to the United Kingdom?
Canada counts as "From listed non-EU countries" for the United Kingdom. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. Wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or last dose of the primary course) before travel. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Canada to the United Kingdom?
No. Pets from Canada do not need a titer test for the United Kingdom if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in the United Kingdom?
Not if every rule is met. Non-compliant pets may be quarantined for up to 4 months at owner's cost, or refused entry if arriving by sea.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from Canada.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same as dogs, except cats need no tapeworm treatment. Cats from Australia also need an Australian Department of Agriculture certificate.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain
- GOV.UK: Which pet travel document
- GOV.UK: Rabies blood tests
- GOV.UK: Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
- GOV.UK: Great Britain pet health certificate
- GOV.UK: Pet passport
- GOV.UK: Approved routes
- GOV.UK: Banned dogs
- GOV.UK news: New EU rules for pet travel for GB residents (21 Apr 2026)
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: United Kingdom pet import rules.