Flying a dog from the United States to Canada
Last verified Sources checked 7 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Scope and research limits
This release covers personal dogs and domestic cats travelling with their owners from the US mainland, Great Britain or the EU, using the rabies-vaccination-certificate pathway or the young-animal proof-of-age exception. Departures to those destinations are also covered. Commercial imports, assistance-dog exemptions, hybrid animals, antibody-test alternatives, medical rabies exemptions and unaccompanied puppies, other unaccompanied pets and country-freedom certificates are outside this planner. Provincial and local requirements have not been researched.
This guide covers the journey and pathways stated here. Residence, travel history and connections may change which requirements apply. Confirm these before using the countdown.
Yes
A dog can enter Canada from the United States without quarantine when every condition is met.
To meet the entry rules
- a valid rabies vaccination certificate if aged 3 months or older
- a healthy appearance and humane transport
If a requirement is missed: A pet that does not meet the applicable requirements may be refused entry.
Full answer
A dog can enter Canada from the United States without quarantine when every condition is met. It needs a valid rabies vaccination certificate if aged 3 months or older and a healthy appearance and humane transport. If any is missed: A pet that does not meet the applicable requirements may be refused entry. Last verified 24 September 2026.
- Rules allow in cabin
- Airline decidesConfirm cabin, checked-pet or cargo acceptance with the operating airline before booking. Canadian border paperwork does not establish that an airline will transport the animal.
- Quarantine
- Noneno post-import quarantine for pet dogs
- Rabies titer
- Not required
- Lead time
- 0 days
Your deadlines, counted back from arrival
None of these steps is a hard deadline. Each step says how long before arrival it falls. Pick an arrival date and your browser works out the calendar dates; it fetches nothing.
Lead time: 0 days
Pick an arrival date to see the calendar date of each step.
Arrival day
Requirements without a countdown
These conditions still apply. Choosing an arrival date does not check them.
For an owner-accompanied personal dog from a covered origin, carry a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. Dogs younger than 3 months need proof of age instead. This page follows the vaccination-certificate pathway; ask CFIA about the antibody-test alternative or medical exemptions before relying on different documents.
Fails if: The dog is old enough to require rabies documentation and lacks a valid certificate.
Carry proof of age for a dog or kitten younger than 3 months. For a dog, obtain the proof from a veterinarian. Being eligible for Canadian entry does not establish airline acceptance or eligibility for a return journey.
Fails if: A young animal’s age cannot be documented.
The rabies certificate must be legible, in English or French, and identify the animal. It must record the vaccination date, vaccine trade name and serial number, duration of immunity, and the veterinarian’s name, signature and signing date. An existing microchip or tattoo number is recorded if applicable.
Fails if: Required identity, vaccination or veterinary signature information is missing or illegible.
The dog must appear healthy and meet humane transportation requirements when it arrives. Entry paperwork does not replace fitness to travel.
Fails if: The dog appears unhealthy or does not meet humane transportation requirements.
Ask the operating airline which health documents and carrier it requires. A border health-certificate exemption does not waive the airline’s conditions.
This planner covers dogs travelling with their owner. An unaccompanied dog younger than 8 months needs a separate veterinary health certificate and examination within 72 hours before Canadian arrival; use the official requirements for that journey.
Before leaving the US, check the return route. US entry requires dogs to be at least 6 months old, have a readable microchip and meet the CDC travel-history and import-form requirements, even when Canadian entry permits a younger puppy.
For the covered owner-accompanied personal-dog journey, USDA says proof of current rabies vaccination is sufficient for the border health paperwork. Confirm carrier requirements separately. Unaccompanied puppies follow a different certificate procedure.
This plan assumes one air journey, with every step done before you leave. Unless you give a departure date, it assumes you leave the day before arrival or on arrival day. Times are local to Canada (America/Toronto).
Which airlines carry dogs on this route
The only airline in our sources gives no plain Yes for dogs on this route.
This is what airlines offer. An airline can offer less than the rules allow.
Hold means checked baggage. Manifest cargo is a separate booking, even when the animal travels in the same aircraft hold.
| Airline | Cabin | Hold (checked baggage) | Manifest cargo | Fee from | Snub-nosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Not published | 50 USD |
- Air Canada: Register the pet through Air Canada Reservations after booking the owner’s flight. Unregistered pets are not accepted at the airport. Confirm the operating airline for every segment.
- Air Canada: Hold carriage can be unavailable above 29.5°C (85°F). The seasonal destination embargo also covers specified US airports; check the current list before booking.
- Air Canada: From November 1 to March 31, and whenever temperatures are at or below 0°C (32°F), pets under 4.5 kg (10 lb) are not accepted in the baggage compartment. Aircraft restrictions also apply.
- Air Canada: From December 18 to January 4, Air Canada publishes a peak-period embargo on pets as checked baggage or cargo. Confirm your travel dates directly with the carrier.
- Air Canada: Listed short-nosed dog breeds cannot travel in the baggage compartment. This is a hold restriction; cabin eligibility for a small dog still depends on the cabin conditions and carrier confirmation.
- Air Canada: Air Canada publishes a baseline minimum age of 10 weeks with the animal fully weaned. Destination entry rules can require an older animal; confirm both the airline and government requirements for the journey.
- Air Canada: For checked pets, the pet and kennel together may weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb). The maximum kennel linear dimensions are 292 cm (115 in), measured as length plus width plus height. Larger kennels need a separate Cargo inquiry rather than a checked-pet booking.
- Air Canada: Air Canada says pets cannot travel on an itinerary that includes its marketed flights operated by a codeshare partner. Confirm the operating carrier for every segment before booking.
No rule changes recorded since
We have recorded no change to the rules on this page since , when our log began. See every recorded change.
Where every rule above came from
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/rabies-free-low-risk-countries.htmlBefore leaving the US, check the return route
- Canadian Food Inspection Agencyinspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/imports/import-policies/general/reference-documentFor an owner-accompanied personal dog from a covered origin, carry a valid rabies…; Pet dogs are not subject to post-import quarantine in Canada
- Canadian Food Inspection Agencyinspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets/robots-testFor an owner-accompanied personal dog from a covered origin, carry a valid rabies…; Carry proof of age for a dog or kitten younger than 3 months; The rabies certificate must be legible, in English or French, and identify the animal; The dog must appear healthy and meet humane transportation requirements when it arrives; and 2 more
- Canadian Food Inspection Agencyinspection.canada.ca/en/travelling-pets-food-plants/travelling-petsAsk the operating airline which health documents and carrier it requires; A pet that does not meet the applicable requirements may be refused entry
- Government of Canadatravel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/petsConfirm cabin, checked-pet or cargo acceptance with the operating airline before booking
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-canadaFor an owner-accompanied personal dog from a covered origin, carry a valid rabies…; Before leaving the US, check the return route; For the covered owner-accompanied personal-dog journey, USDA says proof of current…; USDA says pet cats do not require a border health certificate for Canada
- Air Canadaaircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.htmlAir Canada: route, cabin, hold (checked baggage), manifest cargo, fee from, snub-nosed; Register the pet through Air Canada Reservations after booking the owner’s flight; Hold carriage can be unavailable above 29.5°C (85°F); From November 1 to March 31, and whenever temperatures are at or below 0°C (32°F), pets…; and 5 more
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.
Related pages
See everything that applies in Canada, or what changed across the site.