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Travelling to Canada with your pet

For pet dogs and cats travelling with you, Canada mainly asks for a rabies vaccination certificate in English or French. There is no quarantine, titre test or import permit, but the rules change for unaccompanied puppies and for animals meant for sale or adoption.

To leave you need these documents

Vaccinations

Rabies certificate in English or French

Dogs and cats aged 3 months or older need a rabies vaccination certificate in English or French, signed by a licensed vet in the country of departure.

  • It must clearly identify the animal and show the vaccination is currently valid.
  • Alternatively, an antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml is accepted.
  • Without valid documents, the inspector can order the pet to be vaccinated in Canada at your expense.

Pets from a country recognised as rabies-free (for example Ireland, Finland or Sweden) have extra options. Ask your vet for a certificate in English in addition to the EU pet passport.

Minimum age

Under 3 months: no rabies requirement

Dogs and cats under 3 months do not need to show rabies vaccination to enter Canada.

Keep a document proving your pet's age at hand, such as the EU pet passport or a vet certificate: at the border the rules apply according to the age on arrival. Remember that airlines often have their own minimum age for carrying pets.

Identification

Microchip not required, but recommended

For pet dogs and cats travelling with their owner, Canadian rules do not require a microchip.

The rabies certificate must, however, clearly identify the animal: the microchip number is the easiest way to link pet and documents. Make sure it is recorded correctly in the passport and on the certificate.

Special documents

Unaccompanied puppies and commercial dogs

Stricter rules apply to dogs under 8 months not travelling with you and to dogs meant for sale, adoption, fostering, breeding or shows.

  • An unaccompanied dog under 8 months needs a vet health certificate: minimum age 8 weeks, vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza, arriving within 72 hours of the exam.
  • Commercial dogs under 8 months need an import permit.
  • Since 2022, commercial dogs from countries at high risk for dog rabies are not allowed.

Special documents

Arrival check and inspection fee

At the border your pet's documents are checked: without the right documents you may face delays and your pet may not be allowed into Canada.

  • Dogs and cats arriving from countries other than the United States are subject to a CFIA inspection fee, updated every year.
  • Keep the originals and the English or French certificate in your hand luggage.

For your exact case, use the CFIA online tool, which asks for species, age, purpose of travel and country of departure.

Which pets and how many

Ferrets and other animals: check case by case

The rules described here apply to domestic dogs and cats. For ferrets, non-domestic or hybrid cats, birds, rodents, reptiles and other animals, the CFIA has specific requirements, sometimes with dedicated permits or certificates.

Some species may also fall under protected species rules (CITES). Before leaving, check your case with the CFIA online tool.