Moving to Mexico with Pets: The Complete 2026 Import Guide (Dogs, Cats, and More)

The Good News First

Mexico is genuinely pet-friendly. Dogs are welcome in most restaurants (outdoor seating), parks, and many markets. The import process for dogs and cats from the US and Canada is manageable — no quarantine required for healthy, vaccinated pets. The process is about paperwork timing, not hardship.

The Requirements (Dogs & Cats from US/Canada)

1. Health Certificate: Issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of travel. This is the critical timing requirement — the certificate must be issued in the 10-day window before your travel date. Get it too early and it expires. The certificate must include: pet's name, species, breed, age/weight, microchip number, vaccination history, and a declaration of good health.

2. Rabies Vaccination: Must be current. At least 30 days old at time of travel (cannot be administered within 30 days of crossing), and no more than 12 months old. Update vaccination well in advance. 3. Microchip: Strongly recommended. Most vets include microchip info on the health certificate. 4. No quarantine: Mexico does not require quarantine for dogs and cats from the US or Canada meeting these requirements.

Flying with Pets to Mexico

In-cabin: Most US airlines allow pets under 20 lbs (in-carrier weight) in the cabin on Mexico routes. Fee: $95–150 USD typically. Book early — most airlines limit 2–4 pets per flight. Best airlines for Mexico pet travel: American, Delta, United (check their Mexico route pet policies — these change). Cargo/checked: Larger pets travel as checked baggage or cargo. Some airlines won't accept cargo pets on Mexico routes. Temperature restrictions apply. Consider driving if your pet is large.

Arriving at the Border with a Pet

At the airport: Declare your pet at customs. Present your health certificate to the SENASICA (agriculture ministry) inspector. They may do a brief visual inspection. The process is typically 10–20 minutes. Driving across the border: Present health certificate at the SENASICA inspection point (usually just after customs). Most border crossings have these inspectors. Some crossings have variable hours for animal inspection — cross during daylight hours at major crossings.

Veterinary Care in Mexico

Excellent in major cities. Private veterinary clinics are widespread in all 10 expat cities. Cost: routine visit $25–50 USD, vaccinations $15–30 each, emergency care significantly cheaper than US. Pet insurance: available through Mexican insurers but not widely used by expats — costs are low enough that most self-insure. Flea/tick/heartworm prevention: essential in tropical/humid areas (PV, Playa, Mérida). Products like Frontline and Heartgard are available at Mexican pharmacies and online via Amazon México.

Pet-Friendly Living in Mexico

Most landlords accept pets — but confirm before signing. Add a pet clause to your rental agreement. Security deposits for pet-owning tenants are common ($200–500 USD extra). Best cities for pets: Querétaro and CDMX have the most developed pet culture, with dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, and good veterinary infrastructure. Most challenging: colonial cities with steep cobblestones (hard on older dogs' joints). Pet relocation is covered in the 180-Day Relocation Planner ($37) including a pre-move health certificate timeline worksheet.