Bringing a dog or cat from the United States to Canada
Under Canada's rules, pets from the United States are in the group “All other countries (including US and Mexico)”. A dog from the United States 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 Canada: One of the easiest destinations: personal pet dogs and cats 3 months or older need only a vet-signed rabies vaccination certificate in English or French. There is no microchip, titer, waiting period or quarantine. Commercial dogs (sale, adoption, rescue) from CDC-style high-risk rabies countries are banned.
All other countries (including US and Mexico) Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: No waiting period after vaccination for personal pets.
Step by step
Vaccinate against rabies
Dogs and cats 3 months or older need a current rabies vaccine. Pets under 3 months are exempt but must show proof of age if asked.
Get the rabies certificate
A licensed vet issues it in English or French. It must identify the pet (breed, colour, weight), give the vaccine name, serial/lot number and duration of immunity, and be signed and dated.
Extra papers for unaccompanied young dogs
Dogs under 8 months travelling without their owner also need a vet health certificate. It must be issued within 72 hours before import, after an exam at 8 weeks or older, and show distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza vaccination.
Present at the border
Show the certificate to the Canada Border Services Agency. CBSA or CFIA may inspect the pet.
No quarantine for pet dogs or cats. If the certificate is missing or invalid, an inspector can order rabies vaccination at the owner's cost.
Good to know
- Cats
- Cats under 3 months have no restrictions. Cats 3 months or older need a rabies certificate, a rabies-free origin certificate or a titer (0.5 IU/ml or more, 30+ days after vaccination). No health certificate is needed. Wildcat hybrids have separate rules.
- How many pets
- No federal number limit found for personal pets. USDA says the pet rules cover up to 2 dogs travelling with their owner. Dogs under 8 months for sale, adoption or breeding are commercial imports and need a permit.
- Parasite treatment
- None for personal pets
- Arrival
- Any CBSA port (air or land). There is no federal ban on cabin travel. Airline rules apply. Commercial dogs must enter at the port named on the permit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from the United States to Canada?
The United States counts as "All other countries (including US and Mexico)" for Canada. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No waiting period after vaccination for personal pets. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United States to Canada?
No. Pets from the United States do not need a titer test for Canada if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Canada?
Not if every rule is met. No quarantine for pet dogs or cats. If the certificate is missing or invalid, an inspector can order rabies vaccination at the owner's cost.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from the United States.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Cats under 3 months have no restrictions. Cats 3 months or older need a rabies certificate, a rabies-free origin certificate or a titer (0.5 IU/ml or more, 30+ days after vaccination). No health certificate is needed. Wildcat hybrids have separate rules.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Canada pet import rules.