Taking a dog or cat into Mexico
Reviewed September 19, 2026. Plan both the trip into Mexico and the return border crossing. Requirements depend on the animal, its travel history and where it is coming from.
Dogs travelling from the United States
The former blanket advice that dogs need no certificate is out of date. USDA APHIS now states that, effective August 3, 2026, pet dogs travelling from the United States need a New World screwworm inspection certificate issued within five days by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. APHIS endorsement is not required for this document.
Dogs must also undergo SENASICA inspection on arrival. Consult the current instructions for carrier cleanliness, parasites, wounds and permitted food. Download the current dog form and arrange the examination before departure through the official USDA APHIS Mexico pet-travel page.
Cats travelling from the United States
APHIS says pet cats do not need a health certificate or screwworm inspection document for entry into Mexico, but they remain subject to SENASICA inspection. Do not include a cat on the dog or bird form. Read the cat-specific section of the APHIS page above.
Travellers starting in Canada
Check CFIA’s Mexico guidance and SENASICA’s current requirements. Tell your veterinarian if you are driving through the United States: direct travel from Canada and entry from the United States must not be treated as the same itinerary.
Returning to or travelling through the United States
Dogs: check both CDC and USDA requirements
For a dog that has spent the previous six months only in countries classified by CDC as dog-rabies-free or low-risk, CDC requires a Dog Import Form receipt. The dog must appear healthy, be at least six months old and have a readable microchip. Each dog needs its own form. Other travel histories require a different process. Use the CDC instructions and country-risk checker before travel.
The CDC form does not replace USDA’s separate screwworm requirement. For dogs coming from Mexico, APHIS requires certification of an inspection within five days before shipment to the United States. In Mexico, this may be issued by a clinical veterinarian authorized to sign on behalf of the government veterinarian. Use APHIS’s dog-import guidance and linked directory of authorized Mexican veterinarians to arrange the return examination.
Cats, other pets and onward travel
Do not apply the dog checklist to cats or other species. Consult CDC’s animal-import guidance and APHIS pet-travel information, then check any destination-state requirements. Canadian travellers should also use CFIA’s travelling-with-pets information for the return to Canada.
Before you leave
- Give your veterinarian the complete itinerary, species and travel dates.
- Arrange examinations within the required time windows for both directions.
- Keep forms and veterinary records accessible at the border.
- Check airline or carrier requirements separately if any part of the journey is by air or sea.
Use the linked official pages again shortly before departure; this guide is a planning summary, not a substitute for the requirements applying to your animal.