Mexico is still one of the more workable destinations for dogs and cats — if you follow the current SENASICA process for your country of origin. The failure mode is usually the airline, a dirty carrier, or (for US dogs) a missing screwworm inspection document. Part of our moving to Latin America with pets series.
This page follows SENASICA’s current traveler pages (English and Spanish, dated 4 August 2026) and the USDA APHIS Mexico pet-travel file. Both changed around the New World Screwworm outbreak. Do not use a 2019–2025 blog that says “US dogs need no documents.”
Table of Contents
Official sources (re-check before you fly): SENASICA — English · SENASICA — Spanish · USDA APHIS — US to Mexico. Airline cabin/cargo rules are a separate gate and can be stricter.
Which Source to Trust
SENASICA is the animal-health authority at the border. Use the English traveler page or the Spanish original (both dated 4 August 2026) plus the APHIS Mexico file if you are leaving the United States. Download the CZI application form before you land if you want to fill it on the plane.
Consulate pages can lag. The Mexican Consulate in Montreal “Taking Pets to Mexico” page still tells travelers to bring a 15-day veterinary health certificate for dogs and cats. That is the other-countries checklist. Current SENASICA language for origin Mexico or Canada, provenance Canada is physical inspection only — no certificate of good health or vaccination booklet. If a consulate page and SENASICA disagree, follow SENASICA at the port of entry and re-read it the week you travel.
If Your Pet Is Coming From the United States or Canada
Dogs from the United States are not on the old “no paperwork” rule anymore. SENASICA and APHIS now split dogs, cats, and birds, and they split US/Canada origin from everyone else.
Dogs (and birds) originating in and proceeding from the United States
On arrival, go to the Agricultural and Livestock Health Inspection Office (OISA) with the animal in a clean carrier. SENASICA inspects that it shows no signs of infectious disease, is free of ectoparasites, and has no fresh or healing wounds.
New World Screwworm document: present an inspection document verifying the dog or bird is free of New World screwworm. SENASICA’s English page and APHIS both say it must be signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within the 5 days prior to travel. APHIS dates the rule 3 August 2026. Template: NWS Inspection Certificate for pet dogs. Cats are exempt from this extra document.
SENASICA still says that for this US-origin path you do not need to present a general certificate of good health or a vaccination booklet at entry — the NWS inspection document (dogs/birds) plus the physical inspection is the government checklist. Your airline may still demand a health certificate. Meet the stricter of the two.
Cats from the United States
APHIS and SENASICA: no health certificate is required for pet cats entering Mexico from the US. Take the cat to OISA for the same physical inspection (disease signs, ectoparasites, open wounds). Screwworm paperwork does not apply to cats on the current files.
Canada (origin Mexico or Canada, provenance Canada)
SENASICA’s English page: physical inspection on arrival to confirm there are no health risks. It is not necessary to present a Certificate of Good Health or a vaccination record on that Canada path. Same procedure if you enter via the border zone or on a cruise and stay only for the vessel’s itinerary.
If a Canadian clinic or the Montreal consulate page still prints a 15-day certificate, it will not hurt you at OISA — it is just not what SENASICA currently requires for that origin/provenance pair. Do not skip the physical inspection because a forum said Canada is “document-free.”
If Your Pet Is Coming From Another Country
At the port of entry, SENASICA does a document review and a physical inspection. You must present a certificate of good health issued no more than 15 days earlier (original + simple copy) that includes:
- Issued by an official veterinarian, or a private vet on letterhead with professional-license number (or a copy of the license)
- Name and address of the exporter (origin) and the importer (destination address in Mexico)
- Rabies vaccination date and validity — animals under 3 months are exempt from rabies on this list
- Statement that the animal was clinically healthy at the pre-travel inspection
- Statement that the animal was dewormed internally and externally within the previous six months and is free of ectoparasites
If you arrive without that certificate, SENASICA says you must use a private veterinarian in Mexico to apply treatments and issue a certificate of good health before release. Official personnel or an Authorized Specialist Third Party (TEA) may, after evaluation, certify the animal’s good state of health.
What Happens at OISA
You request the Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) at SENASICA offices at ports, airports, and land borders. Ask staff for the dog/cat form on arrival, or download the CZI application (help guide is in Spanish and English). The officer inspects the animal and the carrier.
- The carrier must be clean. Officials spray a preventive treatment on it.
- Not allowed in the carrier: beds, diapers, newspaper, sawdust, rags, toys, treats, or objects made with ruminant ingredients. Those items are removed and destroyed.
- Collar and leash may stay with the pet.
- Food: SENASICA points to a separate animal-consumption / pet-food page. APHIS’s Mexico file allows only the portion of balanced feed for the day of arrival. Do not pack a crate full of open bags.
- If the pet is under medical treatment, read SENASICA’s pets undergoing medical treatment note and bring the vet letterhead + license number.
- If you ship the pet as cargo, SENASICA tells you to confirm airline rules and use a Foreign Trade Agent (customs broker) for release.
- Reptiles, songbirds, ferrets, turtles, and anything that is not a dog or cat: other companion animals — not this checklist.
If ectoparasites are found, you pay a veterinarian of your choice for treatment before release. If ticks are found, SENASICA verifies they are all removed and may hold the pet at OISA. Costs are on the importer.
If you enter Mexico with the same dog or cat more than three times a year from a country that still uses the 15-day certificate, SENASICA’s Frequent Traveler Companion Animal Program (PMVF) can replace a fresh certificate on later trips (registration is via CERTUR). Their PMVF page says US and Canada travelers often do not need that program because those origins do not use the CZI document stack — but a US dog still needs the NWS inspection certificate from 3 August 2026, even if you are already in PMVF.
Airline vs SENASICA
Book the pet slot before the human ticket is non-refundable. Airlines set crate dimensions, cabin weight, summer heat embargoes, and breed lists. Those rules are independent of OISA. A US dog with a perfect 5-day NWS certificate still does not board if the carrier is too big for cabin or the route is on embargo.
Land border: declare the animal and go to OISA when directed. Do not assume the vehicle lane is a free pass. Air: collect the pet, then OISA (often near baggage claim), then exit. Cargo pets can sit for hours — do not book a tight connection.
Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation call — we’ll map out the right path for your situation.
After You Arrive
Find a local veterinarian in the first week — for a Mexico-readable record, parasite prevention, and a contact if OISA flagged anything. Rental buildings in CDMX, Playa, and Puerto Vallarta often restrict large or bully-type dogs; get pet permission in the lease, not a WhatsApp promise. See how to move to Mexico for the human side and Mexico residency if you are staying past a tourist visit.
Returning to the United States
Mexico is treated as screwworm-affected. APHIS warns that dogs — including US-origin dogs coming home after Mexico — must meet screwworm-freedom certification on re-entry, and CDC is the primary authority for dog imports into the US. Build the return file before you leave, not at the airport home.
Moving to Mexico Yourself?
Pet paperwork is one file. Residency is another. We handle consulate prep through INM card delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a USDA health certificate to take my dog to Mexico?
For US-origin dogs, the current official extra document is the NWS inspection certificate signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 5 days — not the old generic “international health certificate” story many blogs still repeat. Your airline may still want a health certificate. Cats from the US do not need a health certificate for SENASICA on the current APHIS file.
Is there quarantine for dogs entering Mexico?
Routine US/Canada dogs and cats are inspected at OISA and released if they pass. SENASICA can hold an animal if ticks or other risks show up. That is not a standard multi-week quarantine for a healthy pet.
Can I bring two pets?
SENASICA inspects each animal. Airlines often cap how many pets travel with one passenger. Do not assume “Mexico allows it” means the flight does.
Are pit bulls banned in Mexico?
Federal entry rules for dogs/cats are about health inspection, not a national bully-breed ban. Airlines and landlords are the usual blockers.
What about ferrets or rabbits?
Different file. APHIS currently states Mexico is prohibiting ferret exports from all US states because of screwworm, and non-research rabbits from the US have a long-standing refusal. SENASICA’s other companion animals page is the starting point — not this dog/cat checklist.
The Montreal consulate says I need a 15-day health certificate from Canada. Who is right?
SENASICA’s current English page (4 August 2026): Canada origin/provenance is inspection only — no certificate of good health or vaccination record. The Montreal consulate page still reprints the older 15-day certificate list. Follow SENASICA at the border. A leftover Canadian clinic certificate will not hurt; it is not the current Canada requirement.
Related: Moving to Latin America With Pets · Colombia with pets · Panama with pets · How to Move to Mexico · Mexico Residency · Best Places to Live in Mexico
