Bringing a pet to Mexico

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Mexico is relatively lenient for pet dogs compared to island nations or rabies-free countries. There is no quarantine for dogs arriving from any origin, provided the animal has a valid rabies vaccination and an official health certificate. Mexico does not require a rabies titer test (FAVN) or an import permit for dogs from any country, including CDC high-risk rabies regions. The main friction is paperwork: an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and proof of current rabies vaccination. Owners should verify current requirements with Mexico's SENASICA before travel, as airline and border officials may apply additional checks.

Requirements for your pet

Mexico applies the same dog import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip

Not required

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 veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Mexico does not have nationwide breed-specific bans for dogs. However, some airlines flying to Mexico may restrict brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers due to respiratory risks. Check with your airline. Additionally, some Mexican states or municipalities may have local regulations, but these are not typically enforced at the border for visiting pets.

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by a government veterinarian

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~$30-50 (not required but recommended), health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or import permit fees apply. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASICA.

No quarantine, titer test, or import permit. Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Rabies vaccination must be current (at least 21 days before travel).

SENASICA Mexico

Microchip

Not required

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 veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by a government veterinarian

Rough budget

No quarantine, titer test, or import permit. Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Rabies vaccination must be current (at least 21 days before travel).

SENASICA Mexico

Microchip

Not required

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 veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US-origin pets, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by a government veterinarian

Rough budget

No quarantine, titer test, or import permit. Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Rabies vaccination must be current (at least 21 days before travel). Mexico does not impose additional restrictions based on the origin country's rabies status.

SENASICA Mexico

Frequently asked questions

No. Mexico does not require a rabies titer test for dogs from any country, including those considered high-risk for rabies by the CDC. A current rabies vaccination certificate is sufficient.

No. Mexico does not quarantine dogs upon arrival, regardless of the origin country's rabies status. Your dog can enter immediately after border inspection.

You need two documents: (1) a rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year, and (2) an official health certificate issued by a government veterinarian within 10 days of travel. The health certificate must be endorsed by the USDA APHIS for US-origin pets or equivalent authority.

Mexico allows up to 5 pets per traveller for non-commercial purposes. If you are bringing more than 5 dogs, you may need to comply with commercial import regulations and obtain additional permits from SENASICA.

Yes. Mexico does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from import requirements. All dogs, including service animals, must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate and an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Airlines may have additional documentation for service dogs, but border officials require the same veterinary documents.

No. Mexico does not require a microchip for dogs entering the country. However, a microchip is recommended for identification and is often required by airlines for international travel.

Mexico does not have nationwide breed-specific bans. However, some airlines may refuse to transport brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers) due to health risks. Check with your airline before booking.

Mexico applies the same cat import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip

Not required

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 veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

International Health Certificate for Small Animals (Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación de Animales de Compañía) issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days and no more than 12 months before travel
Proof of internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days of travel

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only, verify locally: health certificate ~$50–150, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, parasite treatment ~$20–40. No import permit or titer test fees apply. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASICA.

Mexico does not require a microchip for cats from any origin. The health certificate must be endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK). No quarantine on arrival if documents are in order.

SENASICA Mexico

Microchip

Not required

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 veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

International Health Certificate for Small Animals (Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación de Animales de Compañía) issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days and no more than 12 months before travel
Proof of internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days of travel

Rough budget

Same requirements as free-tier origins. No microchip, titer test, or import permit required for cats from low-risk countries. The health certificate must be endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority. No quarantine on arrival if documents are in order.

SENASICA Mexico

Microchip

Not required

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 veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

International Health Certificate for Small Animals (Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación de Animales de Compañía) issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days and no more than 12 months before travel
Proof of internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days of travel

Rough budget

Mexico applies the same requirements to cats from high-risk rabies countries as to low-risk countries. No titer test, no import permit, no quarantine. The health certificate must be endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority. Cats are not subject to the stricter rules that some countries apply to dogs from high-risk origins.

SENASICA Mexico

Frequently asked questions

No. Mexico does not require a microchip for cats entering the country. The health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate are the key documents. If your cat already has an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, that's fine, but it is not a condition of entry.

At least 21 days before arrival in Mexico, and the vaccination must be valid (not expired) at the time of travel. The vaccine must have been given when the cat was at least 12 weeks old. A rabies vaccination certificate showing the date of vaccination and the vaccine's validity period is required.

No. Mexico does not require a rabies titer test for cats from any country, including high-risk rabies countries. This is different from the EU or UK rules for dogs from high-risk countries. Save the $100–250 and skip the titer test unless your airline or a transit country requires it.

Mexico does not publish a specific numeric limit for non-commercial pet cats in the same way some countries do (e.g., the EU's 5-pet rule). In practice, SENASICA officials assess whether the movement is non-commercial based on the number of animals and the traveller's circumstances. Bringing 1–3 cats is routinely treated as non-commercial. If you are bringing a larger number, expect to be questioned and potentially required to follow commercial import rules, which involve additional permits and inspections. Confirm with SENASICA before travelling with more than a few cats.

No. Mexico does not exempt emotional support animals or service animals from the standard import requirements for cats. Your cat still needs a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and proof of parasite treatment. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin travel, but the Mexican animal health authority (SENASICA) applies the same rules regardless of the animal's role.

If the health certificate is missing, expired (older than 10 days), or not endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority, SENASICA may deny entry, require the animal to be returned to the origin country at your expense, or in some cases allow a veterinary inspection at the port of entry and issue a replacement certificate for a fee. There is no quarantine facility for cats at Mexican airports; the default is refusal of entry. Always carry the original documents, not copies.

No. Mexico does not require an import permit for non-commercial cats from any origin country. The only documents you need are the international health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority), the rabies vaccination certificate, and proof of parasite treatment. No permit application, no fee, no waiting period.

Mexico applies the same ferret import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Not required

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Licensed veterinarian, endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK, or equivalent EU member state authority) · valid 5 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

International Health Certificate for Small Mammals (Certificado Zoosanitario para la Importación de Animales de Compañía Exóticos) issued within 5 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority
Proof of origin (owner's passport, pet export document, or equivalent)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only, not a quote: health certificate approximately US$100–200; courier/endorsement fees approximately US$50–100. No microchip, rabies vaccine, or titer test is required for ferrets from free-tier origins, so those costs do not apply. Confirm current prices with a local veterinarian and SENASICA.

SENASICA treats ferrets as exotic pets, not under the standard dog/cat pet scheme. No rabies vaccination is legally required for ferrets from free-tier origins. Some airlines may require proof of rabies vaccination as a carrier policy.

SENASICA Mexico

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Not required

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

International Health Certificate for Small Mammals (Certificado Zoosanitario para la Importación de Animales de Compañía Exóticos) issued within 5 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority
Proof of origin (owner's passport, pet export document, or equivalent)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only, not a quote: health certificate approximately US$100–200; courier/endorsement fees approximately US$50–100. No microchip, rabies vaccine, or titer test is required for ferrets from low-risk origins, so those costs do not apply. Confirm current prices with a local veterinarian and SENASICA.

Ferrets from low-risk countries (US, UK, Japan, Australia, most of Europe) are not subject to rabies vaccination or titer testing for entry into Mexico. The health certificate must be issued within 5 days of arrival. Airlines may have stricter rules.

SENASICA Mexico

Microchip

Not required

Rabies vaccine

Not required

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

International Health Certificate for Small Mammals (Certificado Zoosanitario para la Importación de Animales de Compañía Exóticos) issued within 5 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority
Proof of origin (owner's passport, pet export document, or equivalent)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only, not a quote: health certificate approximately US$100–200; courier/endorsement fees approximately US$50–100. No microchip, rabies vaccine, or titer test is required for ferrets from high-risk origins, so those costs do not apply. Confirm current prices with a local veterinarian and SENASICA.

Even from CDC high-risk rabies countries, Mexico does not require rabies vaccination or titer testing for ferrets. The same 5-day health certificate applies. Some airlines may refuse ferrets from high-risk countries or require additional documentation.

SENASICA Mexico

Frequently asked questions

No. SENASICA does not require rabies vaccination for ferrets entering as pets, regardless of the origin country's rabies risk tier. This differs from dogs and cats, where rabies vaccination is mandatory. Some airlines may require proof of rabies vaccination for ferrets as a condition of carriage.

An International Health Certificate for Small Mammals (Certificado Zoosanitario para la Importación de Animales de Compañía Exóticos) issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK). It must be issued within 5 days of arrival in Mexico and state that the ferret is healthy and free of infectious diseases.

Mexico does not publish a specific numeric limit for ferrets, but SENASICA generally treats up to 5 pets per traveller as non-commercial. More than 5 may be classified as commercial, requiring an import permit and additional veterinary inspections. For ferrets, confirm with SENASICA in advance if you plan to bring more than 2–3.

No. Mexico does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. Ferrets, even if used as emotional support animals, must have the same health certificate and comply with SENASICA rules. Airlines may allow them in the cabin, but that does not waive the import documentation.

No. Mexico does not require a microchip for ferrets. Microchipping is only mandatory for dogs and cats under the pet travel scheme. If your ferret is microchipped, it can help with identification, and some airlines may require it for international travel.

No. Mexico does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from any country, including high-risk rabies countries. This differs from dog and cat import rules, where titer tests are required from high-risk countries.

If the health certificate is missing, expired (older than 5 days), or not endorsed by the official veterinary authority, SENASICA may deny entry, quarantine the ferret at your expense, or require return to the origin country. Fines can also apply. Carry the original certificate and a copy.

Good to know

Mexico does not impose quarantine on dogs, cats, or ferrets from any country. A health certificate endorsed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US-origin pets) is required. Rabies vaccination must be current. No import permit or titer test is required for dogs from any origin. Airlines may have their own rules (e.g., brachycephalic breed bans, age minimums).

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 Mexico, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).