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If you’re planning a road trip to Mexico, you might be wondering: can I take my dog to Mexico by car? What documentation will I need to drive across the border?
I love Mexico and have visited many times myself.
Although I considered taking my Dachshunds Summit and Gretel to Mexico, I always flew and they stayed at home in the United States.
But I know people who have crossed the border with and without their dog.
Although I haven’t done this trip myself, I hope to do a Mexico road trip one day with my dogs, so I decided to do some research to be prepared.
So that you don’t have to comb through all the rules and regulations yourself, I thought I’d share what I found with you here.
Can I take my dog to Mexico by car?
Yes! Mexico allows US travelers to cross with their pets (cats and dogs) as long as they are in good health.
If you have a dog that is suffering from a long-term illness, you may still be able to get through with the proper documentation, depending on their diagnosis.
You are allowed to cross with up to 2 dogs per person. This means that a traveling couple can cross up to 4 pets in total.
Note: These rules apply to pet dogs, not dogs imported for sale in Mexico.
What documents are needed to cross the US-Mexico border with your dog?
Americans crossing the border do not need to provide a canine health certificate for Mexico.
However, your dog can be inspected by an official from SENASICA (the Mexican National Service for Health, Safety and Quality of Agrifood) before you are allowed to cross.
At this point you may be asked to provide an up-to-date rabies certificate, so make sure you have one handy when crossing.
During this inspection, they will seek to confirm that your pet:
1. Has no signs of infectious or contagious disease
2. Is free from parasites (like ticks)
3. Has no fresh wounds or open wounds that are still healing
I suggest checking your dog carefully at home before heading to the border.
If the inspector finds parasites, wounds, skin lesions or other areas of concern, your dog may be held up at the border while you contact a local veterinarian for treatment.
Dogs with pre-existing injuries and health issues
If you have a dog with pre-existing injuries, infections, lesions or health issues that will be identified during the inspection, you may still be able to cross the border.
But you will need to provide a letter from your veterinarian on letterhead with the diagnosis and treatment instructions.
The documentation should clearly state your veterinarian’s professional registration number.
Border officials are working to keep any disease that might be transmitted out of Mexico.
So documentation from your veterinarian addressing these concerns, while not required, can also help.
Especially if it’s a less common medical condition that they may not be aware of.
Regular travelers can apply for the “Pet Program – Frequent Traveler”
If you live near the border and plan to make frequent trips to and from the border, you can register in the “Pet Program – Frequent Traveler”.
This is a free program that will allow you to speed up the process when crossing the border.
The application will ask you to submit the following documents, not older than 6 months:
- A valid health certificate from a licensed veterinarian
- Evidence of current rabies vaccination
- Evidence of treatment against ectoparasites (parasites that live on the outer surface of hosts) and endoparasites (parasites that live inside them)
The pet passport will be valid for 6 months, at which time you can submit your documentation to have it renewed once more.
Are the rules the same if I travel with a puppy?
Since puppies under three months old are too young to have been properly vaccinated, there is no vaccination requirement.
But you may need to prove your puppy’s age if you are asked for proof of rabies vaccination.
The rules for crossing the Mexican border with a puppy are different from those for an adult dog.
An easy way to confirm your pup’s age and avoid any complications while traveling is to bring a valid health certificate from a licensed veterinarian with you.
Yes, I said before that you don’t have to bring your dog to Mexico, but I was talking about adult dogs then.
Traveling to Mexico from the United States with an assistance dog
Assistance dogs can always be inspected by a SENASICA officer to ensure that they are healthy and free from disease and parasites at the border crossing of your choice.
During this check, the official may request a copy of an up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate.
Unlike in the United States where the Americans with Disabilities Act protects service dog owners from having to provide certification, resorts and businesses in Mexico may require proper documentation from an assistance dog organization. recognized assistance.
Some areas of Mexico do not recognize the concept of assistance dogs as seen in the United States.
Be prepared that there might be some confusion or limitations as to where you can go with your dog when you are there.
Rabies Vaccination Requirements for Dogs to Return to the United States
The good news is that Mexico is not considered a “high risk” country for rabies by the Centers for Disease Controlmeaning that the federal government will not restrict the entry of a healthy, vaccinated dog.
You will need to confirm at the border that your dog has not been to a country considered to be at high risk for rabies in the 6 months prior to crossing.
Your state may have its own requirements.
For example, the state of California requires all dogs over 4 months old to have proof of current rabies vaccinations.
Meanwhile, Michigan has no specific rules regarding the international entry of dogs.
Make sure you check your state requirements before crossing.
Dogs entering the United States that have traveled to a high-risk country must have proof that they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before arriving at the border.
If your dog’s last vaccination was a booster, this waiting period is removed.
Can you transport dog food and treats across the border?
If you’re planning a dog-friendly vacation to Mexico with your dog, you’re probably looking for the answer to some important questions about what supplies your dog needs.
The most popular question I hear is “Can you bring dog food to Mexico?”
The quick answer is yes, you can bring dog food with you.
But there are rules about how much food can go through (and it’s not a lot).
Bringing Dog Food and Treats to Mexico from the United States
When crossing the Mexican border with a dog, you are allowed to travel with enough food for one day.
Of course, that means you’ll need to find your dog’s food after crossing so you can buy enough for the rest of your trip.
Many of the kibble diets available in the United States are also available in Mexico.
If you plan ahead, you can also buy your dog’s food online and have it delivered to your hotel or a PO Box so you can pick it up after crossing.
But be prepared for the fact that dog food prices in Mexico are often much higher.
Bringing Dog Food and Treats to the United States from Mexico
Just like crossing the border from Canada into the United States with your dog, if you are crossing the border into the United States with dog food, it must be unopened and in its original packaging.
The packaging should clearly display a list of ingredients and where the food was produced.
There are some ingredient restrictions.
For example, products containing sheep, goats and lamb are prohibited.
Any food must also be “shelf stable” when crossing, meaning it does not require refrigeration.
This means that raw pet food is not allowed without obtaining an import permit.
You are limited to a total of 50 pounds of pet food per vehicle when crossing a land border.
All dehydrated, freeze-dried, or sun-dried foods must be clearly labeled as a product of Canada or the United States to be permitted in the country.
Traveling to Mexico with a responsive dog
One thing you may want to consider when bringing your dog to Mexico is the large number of stray dogs that you will often see in the area.
Although these dogs generally keep their distance, they can cause a reactive dog a great deal of anxiety.
If your dog reacts to others, even if he is not actively moving around in his personal bubble, Mexico may not be the best vacation destination to choose.
Final Thoughts
The easy answer to the question “Can I take my dog to Mexico by car? is yes! But, you will need to make sure you have all the required documents before crossing.
There are many beautiful and interesting parts of Mexico to explore, and who doesn’t love traveling with their dog?
Schedule a visit to the vet before you leave to make sure your dog is safe to travel.
Pack only the day’s worth of food allowed and plan to have more after you have safely crossed.
Try to be calm when speaking with border officials and answer their questions honestly. They are trained to spot nervous travelers or hiding the truth.
Although crossing the Mexican border with a dog can be a stressful experience for some, a little preparation can make the whole process easier.
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