Requirements, regulations, and essential steps for traveling with dogs and cats to Canada
For many families, emigrating to Canada not only means changing countries but also relocating another member of the household: their pet. Canada has strict regulations for the entry of domestic animals, especially since the updates implemented in 2024 and 2025, in order to maintain health and animal welfare standards.
If you are planning to travel with your pet, it is fundamental to understand the rules of the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), the CBSA, and the policies of each airline. In this complete guide, we explain all the requirements, from vaccines to approved travel kennels, types of transport, prohibited breeds, and precautions when making layovers.
General requirements to enter Canada with pets
Requirements depend on the species (mainly dogs and cats), age, country of origin, and flight conditions. For dogs and cats, Canada requires:
✔ Valid rabies vaccine It must include:
Owner's details
Animal identification (breed, color, sex, age)
Veterinarian’s name and signature
Brand, lot number, vaccination date, and expiry date
It must be valid upon arrival in the country
✔ International Veterinary Certificate Issued by an accredited veterinarian and validated by the corresponding health authority (SENASA, SAGARPA, ICA, etc.).
✔ Pre-travel health exam To ensure the animal can travel without risks.
✔ CBSA Inspection upon arrival Payment between 30–60 CAD depending on the type of inspection.
Modes of transport: Cabin, Checked Baggage, or Cargo
The transport method depends on the animal's size, airline policies, and flight conditions.
A) Pets in-cabin Only small animals whose soft kennel can fit under the front seat are allowed. Common requirements:
Maximum weight pet + kennel: 7–10 kg (varies by airline).
Flexible kennel approved for cabin use.
Advance reservation (2–4 pets per flight). Airlines that usually allow it: Air Canada, WestJet, Aeromexico, Latam, Copa Airlines (depending on the route).
B) Pets as checked baggage For medium-sized pets that cannot travel in the cabin but can go on your flight in the pressurized cargo compartment. Requirements:
Rigid transport crate approved by IATA (International Air Transport Association).
Ventilation, size, and safety conditions.
Additional health verification. Limitations:
Not all airlines allow it.
Some prohibit transporting animals during months of extreme weather (summer/winter).
C) Pets sent as cargo The safest option for large breeds, robust animals, or when the airline does not allow pets in cabin/baggage.
Operated through air cargo services like Air Canada Cargo.
Ideal for large dogs, special breeds, or very long flights.
Higher cost, but greater safety and space.
Breeds NOT allowed in Ontario and special restrictions
It is crucial for owners to know that Ontario prohibits the entry, breeding, sale, transfer, and possession of certain breeds categorized as "dangerous" under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA).
The PROHIBITED breeds in Ontario are: Pit Bull-Type Dogs, including:
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff)
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy)
Any dog that presents physical characteristics similar to the above, even if it is a mixed breed.
Important: Even if Canada allows the dog's entry at a federal level (meeting CFIA requirements), Ontario can confiscate them upon arrival if the pet is considered to fall into the prohibited category.
Conclusion: If your pet belongs to or resembles any of these breeds, it cannot reside in Ontario.
Brachycephalic breeds: Airline restrictions
Airlines also impose limits on dogs and cats with short snouts because they have a higher risk of suffering respiratory distress during the flight.
Many airlines do NOT transport in the hold:
Bulldogs (English and French)
Pugs
Boston Terriers
Shih Tzu
Boxers
Persians (cats)
Himalayans (cats)
Some even prohibit transporting them in any modality, especially in hot climates.
Recommendation: Call the airline directly to verify if they allow this breed in the cabin.
Avoid long flights or layovers with them if possible.
Verify the policies of each airline: Not all accept pets
A common mistake is thinking that if Canada allows it, all airlines will too. In reality, each airline has its own regulations:
Weight allowed in cabin
Kennel dimensions
Climate restrictions
Number of pets per flight
Allowed species
Rules by connection country
How to verify correctly?
✔ Check the website → “Travelling with pets” section
✔ Confirm via phone before buying the ticket
Layovers: Your pet must meet the requirements of ALL transit countries
. IATA-approved transport crate (Mandatory in baggage/cargo)
Indispensable requirements:
✔ Adequate size (the animal must be able to stand up and turn around)
✔ Resistant material
✔ Side and front ventilation
✔ Metal door with secure latches
✔ Water container attached
✔ Identification labels
If the crate does not comply, the airline will refuse boarding, even if you have all the correct documentation.
Final checklist for immigrating with your pet
30–60 days before the flight:
Veterinary consultation
Update vaccines
Request international certificate
Verify airline rules
Buy IATA crate
15–20 days before:
Confirm transport modality (cabin, baggage, or cargo)
Review layover country requirements
Prepare printed and digital documents
48–72 hours before:
Health exam (if required by the airline)
Prepare kennel with absorbent pads
Check arrival time for CBSA inspection
Your pet is migrating too: take care of their physical and emotional health
The trip can represent stress for both you and your pet. Consider:
Training them to be in the kennel
Consulting about approved sedatives (only if authorized by the veterinarian)
Organizing arrival with pet-friendly housing
Adaptation to the cold Canadian climate
Pets also require time and patience to adapt to Canada.
Immigrating with your pet requires planning, but it is completely possible
The key is to anticipate, review every regulation, and comply with both the CFIA and the airline you use.
At Global Opportunities, we guide you so that your migration process —and your pet's— is safe, legal, and without setbacks.