Bringing a dog or cat from Ireland to Malaysia
Under Malaysia's rules, pets from Ireland are in the group “Scheduled (rabies-free) countries”. A dog from Ireland needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, an import permit 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 Malaysia: Pets need an import permit from MAQIS, an ISO microchip and a health exam within 7 days before export. Pets from 22 'scheduled' (rabies-free) countries skip quarantine. Everyone else does at least 7 days' quarantine, and pets from Australia and Indonesia have their own tougher rules. Malaysia bans or restricts many large dog breeds.
Scheduled (rabies-free) countries Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: No titer. The rabies vaccine just has to be given before export; no minimum interval is stated.
Step by step
Microchip the pet
Use an ISO 11784/11785 chip.
Vaccinate
Give an approved rabies vaccine before export, and other core vaccines within the 12 months before export.
Get a MAQIS import permit
Apply to MAQIS before travel. The permit is valid for about 30 days, and a pet may not arrive without one. Restricted breeds need written approval from the MAQIS Director General first.
Health certificate
A government vet examines the pet and issues the certificate within 7 days before export. It must state the country was rabies-free and that the pet was not imported into it in the previous 6 months.
Fly direct
Fly direct to the airport named on the permit and declare the pet to the quarantine officer on arrival.
No quarantine if the pet is healthy and documents are complete (DVS FAQ). DVS may extend or impose quarantine after a risk assessment.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same documents as dogs. First- to fourth-generation Bengal and Savannah cats and their crosses are banned (Indonesia document). Later generations need proof of ancestry.
- Banned breeds
- Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pit Bull types incl. American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boerboel (in Indonesia/Australia documents), Perro de Presa Canario (banned in Indonesia/Australia documents; restricted in scheduled/non-scheduled documents)
- How many pets
- No DVS limit on pets per person (DVS FAQ). Local councils limit dogs per household.
- Parasite treatment
- Australia and Indonesia origins: external and internal parasite treatment 2-7 days before export. Not stated for other origins in the current documents.
- Arrival
- Fly direct to the landing place on the permit. Pets that need quarantine land only at KLIA (Sepang), Penang International Airport or Padang Besar (Thai border). DVS FAQ says pets enter as cargo only, declared to a quarantine officer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Ireland to Malaysia?
Ireland counts as "Scheduled (rabies-free) countries" for Malaysia. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No titer. The rabies vaccine just has to be given before export; no minimum interval is stated. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Ireland to Malaysia?
No. Pets from Ireland do not need a titer test for Malaysia if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Malaysia?
Not if every rule is met. No quarantine if the pet is healthy and documents are complete (DVS FAQ). DVS may extend or impose quarantine after a risk assessment.
Do I need an import permit?
Yes. Malaysia requires an import permit.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same documents as dogs. First- to fourth-generation Bengal and Savannah cats and their crosses are banned (Indonesia document). Later generations need proof of ancestry.
Sources
- DVS – Regulations for importation of dogs and cats, Scheduled countries (notice 11 Dec 2025)
- DVS – Regulations for importation of dogs and cats, Non-scheduled countries (notice 11 Dec 2025)
- DVS – Requirements for dogs and cats from Indonesia
- DVS – Requirements for dogs and cats from Australia
- DVS – Import regulations cats and dogs (2019 consolidated, older)
- DVS – FAQ Import Haiwan Kesayangan
- Malaysian High Commission Canberra – Import of cats and dogs
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Malaysia pet import rules.