Although dogs don’t need passports to go to Canada, you’ll need to show vaccination records and documentation that you are the pet owner, regardless if you are traveling by car or plane. Dogs are welcome to visit our northern neighbor, but they must be vaccinated against rabies, and otherwise in good health.

Can I bring my dog to Canada by car?

You and your dog will be stopped at the border crossing and based on the dog’s age, be asked to share vaccine records. If your dog is under 8 months old, you will need to show a health certificate outlining what vaccines he’s received. If your dog is over 8 months old, you will only need to show his Rabies Vaccine Certificate. This should be the official document given to you by your vet clinic on letterhead, which identifies your dog, lists you as the owner and is signed by your veterinarian.

Dogs younger than 3 months old are not required to be vaccinated for rabies, but the pet parent will need to provide proof of the dog’s age, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the organization that sets the policies for bringing pets into the country. There is no quarantine period and no waiting period required after vaccinations, so you are free to travel with your dog as soon as he is vaccinated against rabies.

Can I bring my dog to Canada by plane?

Check the airline’s policy for pet travel to Canada as different fees or rules may apply. And depending on where you are traveling, research dog breed restrictions. Although Canada as a country doesn’t ban any breed of dog, certain provinces or cities have more breed-specific rules. For example, Pit Bull breeds are banned in Ontario, Canada’s largest province, and Winnipeg, the capital city in the province of Manitoba. You won’t be able to bring a Pit Bull breed through an airport in those areas.

Returning to the U.S. from Canada with my dog

The same requirements will be necessary for entering back in the U.S., so be prepared to show the your dog’s vaccine records upon arrival.

For more information on traveling with your dog to Canada, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s website.