The Canine Ledger

Taking Your Dog From Canada Into the US

For a dog that has only been in Canada, the US needs one free CDC form, a microchip, a healthy dog and an age of 6 months. What the CDC says, and the catch.

Written by thecanineledger

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“For dogs that have not been outside Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., you will only need to fill out the CDC Dog Import Form online.” That’s the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in its dog import FAQ, updated 27 August 2026 (CDC, Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations).

While you’ll find longer checklists elsewhere, the CDC’s own rules for a dog that has only been in Canada are short. There’s one catch, for dogs that have recently been somewhere else, and on that point two government pages disagree. This page sets out both.

This page is about entering the US from Canada. Coming home is Canada’s rule, not the CDC’s. See §5.

1. If your dog has only been in Canada

Canada isn’t on the CDC’s list of high-risk countries for dog rabies, which was updated on 15 April 2026 (CDC, High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies). The CDC says that “If the country is not listed on the website, it is considered a dog rabies-free or low-risk country.”

For a dog that has been only in low-risk countries for the past 6 months, the CDC lists four things (CDC, Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries):

RequirementThe CDC’s wording
The formA receipt for a CDC Dog Import Form.
Healthy“Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival.”
Age“Dogs must be at least 6 months old at time of entry or return to the U.S.”
Microchip“Dogs must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.”

Such dogs “can enter the U.S. at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing.”

The age rule catches people out. A puppy under 6 months can’t enter, even for a short visit.

2. The form

The CDC answers the common questions on the same page:

  • Cost: “Free”.
  • One per dog: “Each dog must have its own form.”
  • When: “You can fill out the form on the day of travel.”
  • How long it lasts: “The receipt is valid for 6 months from when it’s issued”, unless your dog visits a high-risk country or a different low-risk country in that time.
  • Showing it: printed or on your phone.

The CDC gives the Canada example itself: “if the dog travels frequently between the U.S. and Canada, the same form can be used for travel from Canada until the expiration date listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.”

Our note: Third-party sites may charge to “process” this form. The CDC form itself is free.

3. The catch: dogs that have been elsewhere

If your dog has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, different rules apply. Here two government pages disagree.

The CDC’s FAQ (updated 27 August 2026): “U.S.-vaccinated dogs can arrive at any port of entry if they have all required paperwork and the port of entry is the one listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months are not allowed to enter the U.S. at a land border crossing.” Those dogs “must arrive at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), page last modified 1 August 2024: “At this time, dogs from Canada that have also been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies during the 6 months before travelling to the U.S. are not eligible to enter the U.S. directly from Canada.” It says such dogs must “either wait 6 months in Canada prior to entering the U.S. or enter the U.S. directly from the country at high-risk for dog rabies” (CFIA, Dogs travelling to the United States).

The CFIA page is older and says the two agencies were still working out a process. The CDC sets the US rules, so its newer page is likely to be current. If your dog has been anywhere high-risk, check both and ask before you travel.

Our note: The CDC and CFIA pages conflict for dogs that have been in a high-risk country. We give both and lean on the CDC as the US authority.

4. Driving through, and the rest of the rules

Passing through still counts. The CDC says “All dogs entering the United States at a land border must meet CDC entry requirements even if the dog will be in the vehicle most of the time and will not be spending the night or staying in the United States.”

The CDC isn’t the only rule-maker. Its main page says “you must comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) and your U.S. destination’s regulations” (CDC, Bringing a Dog into the U.S.). The CFIA notes it “does not play a role in U.S. State level requirements.”

Our note: We haven’t researched US state rules. Check your destination state.

5. Coming home to Canada

The CFIA reminds owners: “if your dog is returning to Canada, it will still need to meet Canada’s import requirements, such as a valid rabies vaccination certificate.”

A rabies vaccine isn’t on the CDC’s list for low-risk dogs, but your dog may need one to come back. Plan for both directions before you leave.

Our note: Canada’s rules for returning dogs vary by age.

6. What we could not verify

Commonly saidWhat we found
“You need a vet health certificate to cross into the US”Not for a dog only in Canada, per the CDC. One form, plus the conditions in §1.
“You can bring a puppy for the weekend”No. The CDC requires dogs to be at least 6 months old.
“The CDC form costs money”It’s free, the CDC says.
“Driving through doesn’t count”It does. Land-border dogs must meet the rules even in transit.

Sources

Always confirm with your vet before acting on anything on this page.