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Bringing a Dog from Canada to the USA: Requirements

Good news — this is one of the simplest pet moves on this site. The one hard rule: your dog must be 6 months old.

Rules last verified against official sources: 2026-07-24

Planning for a cat instead? See the cat version of this route →

Pick your travel date to get a dated, backward-planned checklist. (This tool needs JavaScript; the full requirements are listed below either way.)

Most of this site is about untangling long, strict sequences. Canada to the US is the opposite — and it's worth saying so plainly. Because Canada is a low-risk country for dog rabies, a dog needs no rabies vaccination or certificate to enter the US, can arrive at any airport, seaport or land crossing, and faces no quarantine and no waiting period. The only federal document is the free, online CDC Dog Import Form — you can fill it out the day you travel, and the receipt is valid for six months of repeat crossings.

The one rule that can actually stop you: since 1 August 2024 the CDC requires every dog entering the US to be at least 6 months old. There's no exception and no workaround but waiting — so if you're moving a puppy, that's the date that matters.

Minimum lead time: about 0 months (0 days). There's almost nothing to sequence here — no waiting period and no rabies certificate. The single gate is the CDC's rule that every dog entering the US must be at least 6 months old.

The requirements, in order

Order matters — several steps are only valid if the earlier ones were done first. This is the same sequence the planner above turns into dated deadlines.

  1. Your dog must be at least 6 months old
    The CDC requires every dog entering the US to be at least 6 months old — there is no exception, and no workaround but waiting. If your dog is younger, this is the only thing standing between you and travel.
    Official source ↗
  2. Microchip readable by a universal scanner
    Your dog must have a microchip detectable by a universal scanner. Any brand that a universal scanner can read is fine.
    Official source ↗
  3. File the CDC Dog Import Form (free, online)
    For a dog coming only from Canada (or other low-risk/rabies-free countries) in the past 6 months, this free online form is the ONLY document required. There's no fee and no waiting period — you can even fill it out the day of travel. The emailed receipt is valid for 6 months and can be reused for repeat Canada↔US trips as long as your country of departure doesn't change.
    No rabies certificate is required from Canada (a low-risk country) — though the CDC still recommends every dog be vaccinated.
    Official source ↗

The whole list, for a dog from Canada

At least 6 months old, a microchip readable by a universal scanner, appears healthy, and a submitted CDC Dog Import Form receipt (printed or on your phone) to show the airline and border officer. That's it — no vaccine record required from Canada, no vet endorsement, no permit.

Two things that are NOT federal but can still bite

First, your US destination state and your airline can require a rabies certificate or health certificate even when the CDC doesn't — check both before you fly. Second, if your dog has been in a high-rabies-risk country in the past 6 months, this easy path does not apply and stricter CDC rules kick in. Canada itself is not on that list.

Round trips

A US dog visiting Canada faces these same CDC rules coming home — but the same form receipt covers repeat Canada↔US trips for its six-month life, as long as the departure country doesn't change.

Official sources

These are the only authorities on this route. If anything here disagrees with them, they win — and please tell us.

Rather have a professional handle the whole move? Pet relocation companies manage the vet visits, paperwork, and bookings end-to-end. (Referral placement — link to relocation partner here.)
Traveling internationally with a pet? Vet visits abroad are out-of-network by definition. (Pet insurance affiliate placement here.)

FAQ

What do I need to bring my dog from Canada to the US?
Four things: the dog is at least 6 months old, has a microchip readable by a universal scanner, appears healthy, and you've filed the free online CDC Dog Import Form (the receipt is the only required document). No rabies certificate is required from Canada.
Is there a waiting period or quarantine?
No. There's no waiting period, no quarantine, and you can enter at any US airport, seaport or land border. You can even complete the CDC form the day you travel.
My puppy is under 6 months — can it enter?
No. The CDC requires every dog entering the US to be at least 6 months old, with no exceptions. You'll need to wait until it reaches that age.
Do I need a rabies vaccination certificate?
Not federally, because Canada is a low-risk country — though the CDC recommends it, and your destination US state or airline may require proof. Check those before travel.
Is it different for cats?
Much simpler — cats have almost no federal requirements: no CDC form, no age minimum, no microchip, no federal rabies vaccine. They just need to appear healthy on arrival. Your state or airline may still ask for a rabies certificate. Use the cat toggle in the planner.

Other dog routes

Disclaimer: Preflight Pet is a planning aid, not legal or veterinary advice. Import rules change; airlines add their own requirements. Always confirm every step with the official government sources linked on this page, and with your airline and accredited veterinarian, before booking travel.