Moving to Mexico with Pets: SENASICA Rules for Dogs and Cats

Mexico's National Service of Agro-Food Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) controls animals entering the country. For dogs and cats traveling as pets with their owners, the process is simple:

• No health certificate is required by SENASICA for dogs and cats. Instead, an inspector from SENASICA's agricultural health inspection office (OISA) checks the animal when you arrive.
• The inspection looks for external parasites such as ticks and fleas, wounds, and signs of infectious disease.
• If the inspector finds a problem, the animal must be treated by a vet, at your cost, before it is released. Serious cases can lead to further measures.
• Crates and food. Bring the pet in a clean carrier. Bring only a small amount of pet food for the trip; open bags and meat-based products can be refused at inspection.

These rules can change. Check SENASICA's pages before you travel.

Even though Mexico does not ask for a certificate for dogs and cats, prepare as if someone will:

1. Visit your vet a few weeks before the move for a checkup and parasite treatment.
2. Keep vaccinations current, especially rabies, and carry the records. You need them for airlines, for boarding and grooming in Mexico, and to travel back.
3. Microchip your pet and register the chip with your current contact details. It is required for dogs entering the US.
4. Get a health certificate if your airline asks for one. Many airlines require one issued within a set number of days before travel.
5. Carry copies of all records, plus a recent photo of your pet.

Airlines set their own rules, and they are often stricter than Mexico's:

• Cabin or cargo. Small pets may fly in the cabin in an approved carrier. Larger animals fly as checked baggage or cargo, depending on the airline.
• Breed limits. Many airlines restrict short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds of dogs and cats because of breathing risks.
• Heat limits. Airlines may refuse animals in the hold during hot months or to hot destinations.
• Limited spaces. Book the pet's spot when you book your own ticket.

On arrival, collect your pet and go to the SENASICA inspection point before customs.

At land crossings, SENASICA inspects pets at the port of entry, often at the same stop where you get your immigration document and, if you need one, your vehicle permit. See temporary vehicle import permits.

Keep water and shade available while you wait, and carry vaccination records in the car.

Animals other than dogs and cats, such as birds, rabbits, ferrets, reptiles and fish, follow separate SENASICA import requirements and may need a certificate or import permit. Protected species can also require permits under wildlife and CITES rules managed by Mexico's environment authorities.

Check SENASICA's import requirement system for your species well before you travel. Bringing an animal that needs a permit without one can lead to it being refused entry.

• Vets are widely available in cities, including specialty clinics. Rural areas have fewer options.
• Rabies vaccination campaigns are held nationally, and many municipalities offer free rabies shots.
• Renting with pets. Many landlords limit pets or ask for an extra deposit. Ask before you sign. See renting in Mexico.
• Heat and parasites. Ticks and heat stroke are common risks in hot, humid regions. Ask a local vet about prevention.
• Moving household goods. Pet supplies you ship with your belongings are handled with your menaje de casa.

• United States. Since August 1, 2024, dogs entering the US must meet CDC requirements, including being at least 6 months old, microchipped, and having a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Requirements depend on where the dog has been. Check the CDC and USDA APHIS pages before you travel. See moving to Mexico from the USA.
• Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) sets import rules, including rabies vaccination proof for dogs and cats in most cases. See moving to Mexico from Canada.
• Other countries. Some countries require blood tests or waiting periods that take months. Plan early if you might move on from Mexico.