Taking Pets to Mexico: How to Bring a Dog or Cat to Mexico
- Last Updated: June 26, 2026 by Ann Reid
- Categories:
- Driving to Mexico, Pets, Tips
Taking your dog or cat to Mexico can make the trip even better. Road trips are more fun with a tail wagging in the back seat or a cat silently judging your navigation skills from the carrier.
The process is straightforward if you know the rules going in. Mexico does not require a health certificate for dogs or cats entering from the United States or Canada, but all pets must pass a physical inspection at the point of entry to check for parasites and injuries. Pets with fresh or healing injuries are not permitted to enter.
Most people driving into Mexico skip the inspection checkpoint and are never asked to present documentation, but you should have the required documents on hand. Bring proof of your pet’s rabies vaccination and parasite treatment within the past 6 months (including fleas and ticks). Airlines may also have their own pet requirements on top of Mexico’s, so check with your carrier before you travel. Dogs returning to the U.S. from Mexico also need a certification assuring they are screwworm-free, from an authorized veterinarian in Mexico.
2026 Update: New World Screwworm Alert
Pet owners traveling to Mexico with dogs should be aware of the New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak. Since 2023, NWS has been spreading northward through Central America and Mexico. In June 2026, the USDA confirmed the first U.S. animal cases.
New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into the living tissue of warm-blooded animals through open wounds. Pets with any cuts, sores, or wounds are particularly at risk.
What This Means for Dog Travel to Mexico
Following the first confirmed U.S. cases, USDA/APHIS briefly suspended pet dog exports to Mexico, then reversed that restriction. Dogs may travel to Mexico, but with the following requirements confirmed by USDA/APHIS:
- Dogs must be free of disease and show no open wounds. Dogs with fresh or healing injuries are not permitted to enter Mexico (per Mexican Embassy, March 2026)
- Dogs must be transported in clean cages
- Dogs re-entering the United States from Mexico must obtain a screwworm-free certification, issued by an authorized veterinarian in Mexico.
For the most current travel requirements, check the USDA APHIS Pet Travel page for Mexico before your trip, as guidance may be updated.
Protecting Your Pet from Screwworm
Veterinarians recommend the following precautions when traveling to Mexico:
- Inspect your pet regularly for any wounds, cuts, or sores. Open wounds are the primary entry point for screwworm larvae.
- Use an approved preventative. Flea and tick preventatives containing afoxolaner, lotilaner, or sarolaner (the active ingredients in products such as NexGard and Bravecto) have been shown to actively prevent and treat New World Screwworm larval infestations in pets.
- Seek veterinary care immediately if you notice unusual wound activity, swelling, or signs of infestation.
For more on the outbreak, see the CDC New World Screwworm Situation Summary and the AKC’s guidance on NWS and dog travel.
Pet Health Considerations in Mexico
You want to keep your pet as healthy as possible while in Mexico. Below are some guidelines for keeping your dog or cat in tip-top shape.
Food and Water
Mexico only allows you to bring enough bulk food for a day, OR up to fifty pounds of sealed, unopened bagged food.
Grocery stores carry standard pet food. If you are feeding a premium food, many veterinarian offices carry popular brands. You can also find Petco stores in larger cities.
If the tap water where you are staying is not safe for you to drink, it should not be considered safe for your pet. If you are drinking exclusively bottled or purified water, give that to your dog or cat, as well.
Vaccines
Vaccine recommendations for your pet can vary by location. Mexico is a low-risk country for rabies in dogs and cats, but the rabies vaccine is still required. Treat your pets for fleas and ticks. Ehrlichia (a tick-borne disease) has been found in dogs in Mexico.
It is also recommended that Dog(s) be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza, as those diseases are found throughout the country.
Cats should be vaccinated for Feline panleukopenia (Distemper), Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Leukemia.
Heartworm prevention is also advised, as heartworm is present in some regions of Mexico.
Driving to Mexico with Your Dog or Cat
If you are driving into Mexico, you are supposed to visit the nearest Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office (OISA) upon entering the country.
Even though this is the regulation, very few people stop, and this is not enforced. The occasional person who does stop for an inspection is usually met with a confused look by the inspectors. If you do stop, bring your rabies vaccine certificate and proof of parasite treatment within the past 6 months.
Assuming you skip the inspection, there is not much else you need to do regarding your pet upon arrival. However, your pet must remain under your control while in Mexico.
Note: If you are going to an area that requires a TIP (Temporary Import Permit), pets are not allowed in the buildings. If it’s hot, you’ll need to plan ahead to keep your pet safe in your vehicle.
Flying to Mexico With Your Dog or Cat
Mexico does not require a health certificate for dogs or cats coming from the United States or Canada. Pets coming from other countries must present a health certificate issued by an official or licensed veterinarian. Mexico will only accept this certificate if issued within 15 days before travel to Mexico. Note that airline policies may still require a health certificate regardless of origin. Be sure to check with your airline before traveling.
In 2020 the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued new regulations for service animals. As a result, U.S. airlines are no longer required to recognize ESAs (Emotional Support Animals). ESAs are now considered pets and must conform to the airline requirements for animals in the cabin. However, most Mexican airlines still allow ESAs with a note from a psychiatrist (NOT a psychologist).
When you land in Mexico with your pet, you will be directed to the OISA office for a pet inspection. You must provide a rabies vaccine certificate, and proof of parasite treatment within the past 6 months. If you do not have both, a veterinarian will administer the required treatment at your expense. Note that pets with fresh or healing injuries are not permitted to enter Mexico.
Finding Pet Friendly Lodging in Mexico
Finding pet-friendly lodging in Mexico is not hard. Many hotels allow pets. Websites like BringFido.com list pet-friendly hotels. A Google search for “pet friendly hotels” in the area you’ll be visiting will return many options. Always call and confirm with the property, as some internet listings can be outdated or incorrect, or the pet rooms are taken.
Wrapping It Up
It’s easy and straightforward to travel in Mexico with your pet. By paying attention to a few details, including the current New World Screwworm situation, you and your dog(s) or cat(s) should have an enjoyable adventure exploring Mexico. Here’s a summary of our tips for taking your pets into Mexico.
What’s Required:
- Proof of a rabies vaccination for each pet you bring to Mexico
- ONLY enough food for one day OR up to 50 pounds of sealed, unopened, bagged food for your pet
- Dogs must be free of disease, show no open wounds, and be transported in clean cages per current USDA APHIS requirements
- Dogs re-entering the U.S. from Mexico must have a screwworm-free certification from an authorized veterinarian in Mexico
- IF FLYING:
- A health certificate if your airline requires it
- Upon landing in Mexico, take your pet to the Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office (OISA)
- Have proof of rabies vaccination
- Have proof of flea, tick, and parasite treatment within the past 6 months
Recommended:
- Vaccinate dogs against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.
- Vaccinate cats against Feline panleukopenia (Distemper), Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Leukemia.
- Treat pets for heartworms (unless you know there is no problem in your Mexico destination).
- Treat your pet for fleas & ticks. Consider a preventative containing afoxolaner, lotilaner, or sarolaner, which also protects against New World Screwworm larvae.
- Inspect your pet regularly for open wounds, especially while in Mexico.
Read the official Mexican government pet import requirements, updated March 2026 on the Mexican Embassy website.