Travelling with pets to the United States (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: A dog entering the United States needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a detectable microchip and to be at least 6 months old. Dogs that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies face extra steps. Cats only need to appear healthy and have no rabies-proof requirement from CDC.

RuleWhat applies
Identification and passport or certificateTravelling with a dog, cat or ferretA dog entering the United States must have a microchip that a universal scanner can detect. CDC does not require a general health certificate for pets, but a state or an airline may. [1]
Rabies vaccinationTravelling with a dog, cat or ferretCDC does not require cats to have proof of rabies vaccination. A dog that has been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months needs only the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. A dog that has been in a high-risk country must be vaccinated against rabies; a foreign-vaccinated dog then also needs a valid rabies serology titer report. [2]
Entry from outside the EU or the usual regionTravelling with a dog, cat or ferretA dog must have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (online, free, one per dog). A foreign-vaccinated dog from a high-risk country also needs a foreign rabies vaccination and microchip certificate endorsed by an official government vet, a titer report, a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility and an arrival by air at that airport. A dog from a low-risk country can arrive at any airport, seaport or land crossing. [3]
Number of animals per travellerTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret⚠ Not yet verified
Breed or other restrictionsTravelling with a dog, cat or ferretA dog must be at least 6 months old and must appear healthy on arrival. Cats must appear healthy and can be inspected at the port of entry. Cats arriving in Hawaii and Guam, even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to local quarantine rules. [1]

Notes

  • States, territories and airlines can set their own extra rules, for example a health certificate.
  • No national limit on the number of pets per traveller was found in the CDC pages. Check with the destination state and the airline.

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Bringing an Animal into the U.S. (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.