Bringing a pet to Canada

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Canada’s pet import rules are moderately strict and vary by the animal’s origin rabies-risk category, so you must check the specific requirements for your pet’s country of departure. There is no routine quarantine for pets arriving from low-risk countries, but animals from high-risk regions face stricter documentation and may be subject to inspection or isolation at the border. Plan ahead for health certificates, rabies vaccination records, and microchipping, as these are common across all three species.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Canada.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (CFIA form 5096 or equivalent)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the CFIA.

No additional requirements for free-tier origins.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (CFIA form 5096 or equivalent)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the CFIA.

No additional requirements for low-risk origins.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (CFIA form 5096 or equivalent)
  • Import permit from CFIA
  • Rabies titer test results

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$25–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the CFIA.

Dogs from high-risk countries must have an import permit from the CFIA and a rabies titer test with a 90-day wait after vaccination.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Frequently asked questions

A dog must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination, which is required for entry. There is no separate minimum age for travel, but the rabies vaccine must be given at or after 12 weeks of age.
The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before arrival in Canada. This applies to all origin tiers.
Yes, if your dog originates from a high-risk rabies country, a rabies titer test (FAVN) is required. The blood sample must be taken at least 90 days after the rabies vaccination and sent to a CFIA-approved laboratory.
Canada does not have a strict limit for non-commercial pet travel, but if you bring more than 3 dogs, you may be subject to commercial import rules. Contact the CFIA for guidance if bringing multiple dogs.
No, emotional support and service dogs are not exempt from standard import requirements. They must still meet microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and any other applicable rules based on origin.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the dog's arrival in Canada. It must be completed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the official government authority of the origin country.
An import permit is required only for dogs coming from high-risk rabies countries. Dogs from free or low-risk origins do not need a permit.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Canada.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (CFIA/APHIS Form 7001 or equivalent)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the CFIA.

No quarantine for cats from rabies-free origins. Microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (CFIA/APHIS Form 7001 or equivalent)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the CFIA.

No quarantine for cats from low-risk origins. Rabies vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (CFIA/APHIS Form 7001 or equivalent)
  • Microchip documentation
  • FAVN titer test result
  • Import permit from CFIA

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the CFIA.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries require a CFIA import permit and a FAVN titer test. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Frequently asked questions

Yes. A FAVN titer test is required for cats from high-risk rabies countries. The test must be performed at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and no more than 12 months before travel. The result must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/mL.
Canada does not have a strict numeric cap for non-commercial cat imports, but bringing more than 3 cats may be considered a commercial shipment by CFIA and require additional permits. For personal travel, 1-2 cats is standard.
No. Canada does not exempt emotional support or service cats from standard import requirements. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit rules.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days before your cat's arrival in Canada. For cats from the United States, the certificate must be endorsed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and issued within 10 days of travel.
Yes, most airlines allow cats in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat and the cat is at least 8-12 weeks old. Check the specific airline's pet policy, as weight limits (typically 8-10 kg including carrier) and breed restrictions (brachycephalic breeds may be banned in cargo) vary.
No. Cats from the United States do not need a CFIA import permit. A valid rabies vaccination certificate and a USDA-endorsed health certificate (APHIS Form 7001) issued within 10 days of travel are sufficient.
Your cat must have a valid rabies vaccination at the time of travel. If the vaccine expires before arrival, you need a booster shot and then wait 21 days before travel. The microchip must be implanted before the booster.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Canada.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or CFIA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and CFIA.

Ferret must be individually identified by microchip. Rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before travel. No titer test or quarantine required for free-origin countries.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or CFIA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and CFIA.

Same as free tier. Canada does not differentiate between free and low-risk origins for ferrets — no titer test or quarantine required.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 21+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory 30-day quarantine at a CFIA-approved facility. Owner pays all costs.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian endorsed by CFIA · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip documentation
  • FAVN titer test results
  • CFIA import permit

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$30-50, quarantine costs ~$500-1500 depending on facility. Confirm current prices with a local vet and CFIA.

High-risk origin ferrets face stricter rules: titer test required, import permit required, and 30-day quarantine at owner's expense.

CFIA Travelling with Pets

Frequently asked questions

Yes, all ferrets entering Canada must have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel. The vaccine must be given when the ferret is at least 12 weeks old. No exemptions for age or health.
Canada does not set a specific numeric cap for non-commercial pet ferrets, but if you bring more than 5, CFIA may classify the shipment as commercial and require additional permits and inspections. For 1-2 ferrets, standard rules apply.
Yes, an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is mandatory. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If your ferret's microchip is not ISO-compliant, you must bring your own scanner.
Yes, for ferrets originating from high-risk rabies countries, a FAVN titer test is required. The blood sample must be taken at least 21 days after vaccination and show a titre of at least 0.5 IU/mL. The test must be done at a CFIA-approved laboratory.
No. Canada does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of role, must meet the same microchip, vaccination, health certificate, and quarantine rules.
The health certificate must be issued by a CFIA-endorsed veterinarian within 10 days of the ferret's arrival in Canada. If travel is delayed, you may need a new certificate.
CFIA may quarantine the ferret at the border at your expense, or deny entry entirely. In some cases, the ferret may be returned to the origin country. Always carry all required documents during travel.

Good to know

All dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Canada must be at least 3 months old and microchipped before rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccine must be administered after the microchip is implanted, and the certificate must be in English or French. If your pet is from a country not classified as rabies-free, additional serology testing or waiting periods may apply.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Canada, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Canada's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.