What Actually ChangeD
Here's What Actually Matters
By Dez | My Deztination: Mexicos Trusted Residency + Relocation Expert
If you moved to Mexico with a pet a few years ago, or you've been reading older blog posts to prepare, here's the honest version: most of the basics haven't changed. Dogs and cats from the U.S. and Canada still don't need a health certificate. SENASICA still inspects on arrival. The process is still genuinely manageable.
But a few things *have* shifted in the last couple of years, and they're the kind of details that catch people off guard — especially around returning to the U.S. with a dog. This post covers what's new, what's stayed the same, and where people are getting confused.
For the full, regularly-updated breakdown of every requirement, document, and step — including an interactive checklist — see our complete guide: Moving to Mexico With Pets.
The short version
- Dogs and cats from the U.S. or Canada still don't need a health certificate to enter Mexico — just current rabies vaccination and a clean bill of health at inspection.
- The biggest change isn't about *entering* Mexico. It's about **coming home.** Since late 2024, dogs returning to the U.S. from Mexico need a screwworm freedom certificate in addition to the CDC Dog Import Form.
- The "free pets per person" limit and import fee amounts get repeated differently across blogs and forums. We'll explain why, and why we're not going to give you a number that might be wrong by the time you travel.
- Cats have it easier on the way back to the U.S. than dogs do.
What hasn't changed: entering Mexico
The core entry process for dogs and cats from the U.S. or Canada has been stable since the health certificate requirement was dropped back in December 2019. On arrival, SENASICA (Mexico's animal and agricultural health authority) checks that your pet:
- Has a current rabies vaccination record
- Appears free of fleas, ticks, and other external parasites
- Has no fresh wounds, infections, or signs of illness
- Is in a clean carrier with no bedding, toys, or food left inside
That's it for the inspection itself. No quarantine, no titer test, no import permit required for most pet owners. If you want the complete checklist, including what to pack and how to prepare for the inspection, our pet relocation guide walks through every step.
What's new: the screwworm certificate for dogs returning to the U.S.
This is the one almost nobody mentions, and it's the one most likely to actually disrupt your plans.
Since November 2024, Mexico has been classified by U.S. agriculture authorities as affected by New World screwworm — a parasite that the U.S. eradicated decades ago and is working hard to keep out. As a result, any dog entering or re-entering the United States from Mexico now needs a screwworm freedom certificate, issued by an authorized veterinarian within a few days of travel, in addition to the CDC Dog Import Form that's already required.
This applies even if your dog is a U.S. citizen's dog that simply went to Mexico and is coming back. It applies whether you're flying or driving across the land border.
What this means in practice:
- Build in time before your return trip to see an authorized vet for the screwworm exam and certificate — this isn't something you can do at the airport.
- The CDC Dog Import Form is separate and also required; the two aren't interchangeable.
- Cats are not subject to this requirement. If you're only traveling with a cat, this section doesn't apply to you.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued public reminders about this as recently as this year, which tells you it's still catching people off guard. Requirements like this can also continue to evolve, so if you have a return trip planned, this is worth confirming directly with USDA APHIS or CDC shortly before you travel rather than relying on any single blog post — ours included.
Need Help Moving to Mexico With Pets?
Pet relocation can involve airline rules, vet documents, arrival inspections, housing restrictions, and local support after you land. My Deztination offers pet relocation support within our Ultimate and VIP relocation services.
Ultimate Experience
Best for relocators who want structured support and practical guidance while managing parts of the pet relocation process themselves.
- General pet relocation planning guidance
- Basic direction on what to prepare before travel
- Airline and travel-day considerations to keep in mind
- Referrals to trusted pet-related providers when available
- Pet-friendly housing considerations during your relocation planning
- Arrival support as part of your broader Ultimate relocation experience
Ideal if you feel comfortable handling the paperwork yourself, but want expert guidance so you are not planning in the dark.
Book UltimateVIP Experience
Best for relocators who want hands-on project management, deeper guidance, and coordinated support for the pet relocation process.
- Full pet relocation planning within your wider VIP relocation timeline
- Guidance on required documents, vet preparation, and travel readiness
- Coordination support for airline, arrival, and provider logistics
- Compliance guidance based on your route, pet type, and relocation plan
- Support preparing for arrival inspection expectations in Mexico
- Pet-friendly housing strategy and rental considerations
- Provider coordination for vets, groomers, boarding, walkers, or other pet needs where available
- Integration support so your pet can settle into daily life in Mexico more smoothly
Ideal for families, multiple-pet moves, nervous travelers, senior pets, complex routes, or anyone who wants fewer moving pieces to manage alone.
Apply for VIPImportant Pet Relocation Note
Pet travel requirements can vary depending on your country of origin, airline, route, number of pets, breed, and whether you are flying or driving. Government requirements and airline requirements are not always the same, so it is important to confirm the latest rules before booking travel.
External costs such as airline pet fees, veterinary appointments, certificates, crates, pet transportation, boarding, medication, and third-party provider fees are separate from My Deztination package fees.
Why we're not going to quote you a fee in pesos
You'll see a specific peso figure for the "extra pet" import fee on a lot of pet travel blogs — and you'll notice they don't all agree on the number. That's because SENASICA's fee schedule is tied to Mexico's federal fee structure, which is reviewed and updated annually. A number that was accurate last year may already be out of date.
What's stayed consistent: pet owners traveling with a small number of pets (typically up to two or three, depending on the source and your specific port of entry) generally pay no fee at all. Bringing a larger number of animals may shift your entry into a different process with its own fee, and in some cases may be treated differently by customs depending on whether it's considered a personal move versus a commercial shipment.
If you're moving with more than two or three pets, this is genuinely one of the situations worth getting guidance on before you book travel — both because the fee details can shift and because the process itself can get more involved. Our [VIP relocation support](/mexico-relocation-packages) includes this kind of pet-specific coordination if you'd rather not track it down yourself.
Cats vs. dogs: it's not the same process anymore
This is a distinction that's become more important since the screwworm certificate was introduced. Cats are not subject to:
- The screwworm freedom certificate
- The CDC Dog Import Form
- Microchip requirements for U.S. entry
If you're moving with both a dog and a cat, plan for two different return-trip checklists, not one shared one.
What this means if you're planning a move
None of this changes whether you should bring your pet to Mexico — it's still very doable, and thousands of people do it every year. What it changes is the planning window. A few years ago, "figure it out a week before you fly" was realistic for most pet owners. With the added vet appointment and certificate now required for dogs heading back to the U.S., that buffer needs to be longer, especially if your move includes trips back and forth.
If you're early in planning a move with pets, the best next steps are:
1. Read our full Pet Relocation Guide for the complete current requirements and an interactive prep checklist.
2. Take the Mexico Match Quiz to see which cities tend to be easiest for pet owners — climate and walkability matter more than people expect.
3. Download the Move to Mexico Checklist to see how pet planning fits into your broader move.
4. If you're managing a multi-pet move, a senior pet, or a tight timeline, book a free Discovery Call — this is exactly the kind of detail we help sort out as part of full relocation planning.
Pet Travel FAQs
Do dogs and cats still need a health certificate to enter Mexico from the U.S. or Canada?
No, this hasn't changed. For dogs and cats traveling to Mexico from the U.S. or Canada, a health certificate is currently not required by Mexico. However, your pet must still be inspected by SENASICA/OISA on arrival. Airlines, cargo companies, or transit countries may still require their own health certificate or fit-to-fly documents, so always check your route and airline before booking.
What vaccines and documents should I prepare for my pet?
Even when Mexico does not require a health certificate for dogs and cats arriving from the U.S. or Canada, it is still smart to travel with your pet's rabies vaccination record, general vaccine records, parasite prevention records, microchip details if applicable, airline pet reservation, and any medication or special-care notes. Your airline may ask for documents that Mexico itself does not require.
What does SENASICA check when my pet arrives in Mexico?
SENASICA is Mexico's animal and agricultural health authority. When you arrive, your dog or cat may be inspected at the OISA office or inspection point. Officials check that your pet does not show visible signs of infectious disease, external parasites, fresh wounds, or wounds in the healing stage. Your pet should arrive in a clean carrier.
Can I bring pet food, bedding, toys, or treats into Mexico?
Be careful with what you place inside your pet's carrier. SENASICA guidance notes that carriers should be clean and free from bedding, toys, treats, or other objects. If these items are found during inspection, they may be removed, destroyed, or the carrier may need to be disinfected. Only enough pet food for the day of arrival is generally permitted.
How many pets can I bring into Mexico without paying a fee?
Most pet owners traveling with a small number of pets pay no fee at all, but the exact threshold and fee amount are set by SENASICA's fee schedule, which is reviewed annually and can change. If you're traveling with several animals, confirm the current figure with SENASICA or a relocation advisor before booking, and allow extra time for inspection on arrival.
Can my service animal fly with me to Mexico?
Trained service dogs may be accepted in cabin on many flights, but the rules depend on the airline, country, and route. For flights to, within, or from the U.S., airlines are required to recognize trained service dogs under U.S. air travel rules. Airlines may require official service animal forms and may deny transport if the animal does not meet safety, behavior, size, or health requirements. Emotional support animals are generally not treated the same as trained service animals.
What are the rules for returning to the U.S. with a dog from Mexico?
For dogs returning to the U.S. from Mexico, current CDC rules require a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs must appear healthy, be at least 6 months old, and have a microchip that can be detected by a universal scanner. Because Mexico is currently treated as affected by screwworm for U.S. dog import purposes, dogs returning from Mexico also need screwworm freedom certification issued by an authorized veterinarian shortly before travel. Always confirm CDC and APHIS requirements before returning to the U.S.
Do cats have the same U.S. re-entry rules as dogs?
No. The CDC Dog Import Form and screwworm certificate requirements apply to dogs only. Cats are not subject to either one, though they may still be subject to airline, state, or other entry requirements, so check your airline and destination state before traveling back to the U.S. with a cat.
Can I bring an exotic pet, like a bird or reptile, to Mexico?
Mexico only treats dogs and cats as standard "pets" for this process. Birds, reptiles, and other species require separate documentation and, in some cases, additional permits or CITES authorization. Check with SENASICA directly if you're traveling with anything other than a dog or cat.
Where can I find the full, current list of pet entry requirements?
Our pet relocation guide is kept up to date with the complete entry process, document checklist, and an interactive planning tool you can use as you prepare for your move.