Canada does not require an import permit for every dog. Travellers must declare all animals they bring into Canada, and according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA, 2026), import permits are needed only in some cases. The deciding factors are the dog’s purpose, age and country of origin. The CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) shows whether a specific import needs a permit or a border inspection, so checking AIRS before travel is the first step. According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA, 2022), most dogs need only a veterinary health certificate from the country of origin and/or a rabies vaccination certificate.
Does Canada require a permit to import a dog?
Permit need depends on purpose and origin
The same dog can require different paperwork depending on why it is imported. The CFIA’s published rules distinguish between travellers and commercial shipments, and between dogs from the United States and other origins.
| Situation | Requirement stated by CFIA |
|---|---|
| Traveller bringing a dog into Canada | A permit is needed only in some cases |
| Commercial dog from the United States for resale, including adoption | USDA Kennel License still required (CFIA, 2021) |
| Commercial dog under 8 months for breeding or resale, including adoption | Separate single-entry permit regime (CFIA, 2021), outside the scope of this section |
A permit is the exception for most individual imports, not the default.
Applying through the My CFIA portal
Where a permit is required, the application is submitted through the My CFIA portal (CFIA, 2026). The official sources consulted do not specify processing times or fees, so these should be confirmed directly on the portal before a planned move.
Checking whether a permit applies
- Identify the purpose. Personal relocation, travel and commercial trade follow different rules.
- Identify the country of origin. Origin determines whether the US Kennel License rule or other conditions apply.
- Book border inspection if flagged.
- Carry the health and rabies certificates.
CFIA rules for personal pets
For CFIA, the reason a dog is imported determines which rules apply. A dog brought in as a companion falls under the general requirements. Commercial dogs under 8 months imported for breeding or resale, including adoption, follow separate CFIA rules, which are outside the scope of this section.
Where the personal-use boundary sits
The CVMA names three variables that shape the requirements: purpose, age and country of origin. Purpose is the first test.
The consulted sources do not state whether the high-risk country restriction applies to personal dogs. The official sources consulted do not specify an equivalent rule for personal dogs from those countries.
Dogs travelling with their owners
The CVMA estimates that 9,000 to 17,500 dogs per year were imported into Canada from 2013 to 2019, a rise of over 400%. This figure covers all imported dogs, not only dogs travelling with their owners.
Relocating a household with pet dogs
The official sources consulted do not specify a separate CFIA procedure for households relocating with their dogs. The general personal-use framework applies. Confirm that each dog is travelling as a personal companion, not for resale or adoption.
What changes for commercial dogs under 8 months?
Canada applies a stricter set of CFIA rules to commercial dogs under 8 months old that are imported for breeding or resale, including adoption. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2021), these rules took effect on May 15, 2021. Three obligations set them apart from the general requirements: parasite treatment before export, rabies vaccination at least 28 days before export, and a single-entry permit for each shipment.
Parasite treatment before export
Under the 2021 rules, commercial dogs under 8 months must be treated for both internal and external parasites before they leave the country of origin (CFIA, 2021). The official sources consulted do not specify the products, dosing or treatment intervals. Confirm the treatment protocol with a veterinarian in the exporting country before scheduling transport.
Rabies vaccination at least 28 days before export
These dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 28 days before export (CFIA, 2021). Plan the vaccination date backwards from the planned departure, and keep the rabies vaccination certificate with the dog’s other documents.
The breeder exemption
The 28-day rabies vaccination requirement does not apply to recognized breeders (CFIA, 2021). The official sources consulted do not specify how a breeder obtains that recognition, so importers should check CFIA’s current guidance on this point rather than assume eligibility.
Single-entry permit and stated dog count
Each shipment requires a single-entry permit, and the importer must state the number of dogs on the shipment (CFIA, 2021). A permit covers one shipment, so a second group of dogs needs its own permit. Make sure the number declared matches the animals actually travelling.
Are dogs from high-risk rabies countries allowed in?
Commercial dogs from countries at high risk for dog rabies are no longer permitted entry into Canada, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), on its pet imports page. The restriction traces back to a related CFIA notice dated 2022. The ban targets commercial dogs specifically, so it does not apply in the same way to every dog movement. Rabies is the central concern.
What the ban covers
- Dogs in scope: commercial dogs originating from countries classified as high-risk for dog rabies.
- Outcome: entry into Canada is not permitted for these dogs under the current CFIA position.
- Not covered here: the separate rules for commercial dogs under 8 months, which the CFIA addresses in its 2021 requirements.
Verifying a country’s current risk status
The official sources consulted do not list which countries are currently classified as high-risk, so the classification must be checked at the time of travel. Confirm whether the origin country is classified as high-risk on the current CFIA pages.
Rabies vaccination and health certificate basics
This section covers the two documents most dogs need, the rabies vaccination record and the health certificate.
Rabies vaccination record
The rabies vaccination record is the document that shows the dog’s rabies status at the time of travel. Before departure, check that:
- the record identifies the dog clearly enough to match it to the animal travelling with you;
- the vaccination entries are complete, with no blank fields or unexplained gaps;
- the original document, not only a photograph, is available for the trip.
The official sources consulted do not specify the validity period of a rabies vaccination record for dogs entering Canada, so this should be confirmed directly with CFIA before booking travel.
Health certificate and issuing veterinarian
The health certificate is issued in the country of origin, so the examining veterinarian works under that country’s rules, not Canada’s. The official sources consulted do not specify accreditation or endorsement requirements for the issuing veterinarian. Ask the veterinarian to confirm that the certificate matches the dog’s current health and vaccination status on the issue date.
Record language and format
The official sources consulted do not specify language or format requirements for these documents. As a general precaution, keep every page of the record and certificate together, ensure dates and signatures are legible, and carry copies in case a document is requested at entry.
Dogs from high-risk countries
For personal travel, the sources consulted do not state whether the high-risk country restriction applies. Check the CFIA pet imports page and AIRS for your country of origin before booking.
Border declaration and inspection
Declaration does not by itself mean an animal will be inspected.
When inspection is required
Some animals must be inspected at the border. The CFIA (2026-05-21) states that the appointment must be arranged at least 24 hours before arrival. The official sources consulted do not specify how far in advance the appointment can be booked.
Commercial shipments: route and timing
The CFIA’s 2021 rules for commercial dogs under 8 months old, including those imported for adoption, add stricter steps. Under these rules (CFIA, 2021-05-04):
- The importer must state the travel route, including the entry airport or land border crossing.
- A CFIA inspection at the entry point must be scheduled before the shipment leaves the country of origin.
- Air shipments must go to a pre-approved post-import quarantine facility approved by the CFIA.
| Situation | Required step | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Animal flagged in AIRS | Book inspection at least 24 hours before arrival | CFIA, 2026-05-21 |
| Commercial dog under 8 months | Give route and entry point; book entry inspection before departure from origin | CFIA, 2021-05-04 |
| Commercial dog by air | Use a CFIA pre-approved quarantine facility | CFIA, 2021-05-04 |
What should you check with a vet after arrival?
An imported dog should be examined by a licensed Canadian veterinarian soon after arrival. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (2022) recommends this because imported dogs can carry pathogens not commonly found in Canada, including rabies virus, Leishmania, Brucella canis and heartworm. The official sources consulted do not specify a deadline for this first visit or a list of clinical signs. The points below therefore describe general veterinary practice and should be confirmed with your vet.
Warning signs that need prompt veterinary attention
Contact a vet without waiting for the signs to pass if an imported dog shows any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing, pale or blue-tinged gums, or collapse
- Seizures, stumbling, disorientation or sudden unusual aggression, since rabies virus is among the pathogens the CVMA names
- Repeated vomiting, or diarrhoea containing blood
- Lethargy combined with refusal of food or water
- Persistent coughing or reluctance to exercise
- Any bite or scratch from the dog, which should be reported promptly to a doctor and a vet
Parasite and pathogen follow-up to discuss with your vet
The arrival examination is the point to ask which tests apply to this particular dog. Bring any export and travel documents, since the vet needs them to judge the dog’s history.
| Pathogen named by the CVMA | Question to raise at the arrival visit |
|---|---|
| Rabies virus | Whether any bite or scratch exposure changes the plan, and whether the vet wants to review the dog’s vaccination record |
| Leishmania | Whether testing is appropriate, given the dog’s country of origin |
| Brucella canis | Whether testing is appropriate, given the dog’s breeding or sourcing history |
| Heartworm | Whether testing is advised now, and what prevention schedule the vet recommends |
The CVMA’s recommendation for examination on arrival is intended to catch these conditions early, so ask the vet to record the follow-up schedule in writing.
Settling stress and feeding changes
A recently imported dog may hide, eat less, drink less or have changes in toileting during the first weeks. To separate normal adjustment from a health problem, keep a daily log covering:
- Food and water intake
- Stool consistency and frequency
- Sleep and activity level
- Any vomiting or coughing
Share the log with your vet so they have a baseline to compare against.
When changing the dog’s food, transition gradually rather than switching abruptly. Ask the vet how quickly to adjust the diet for this specific dog, especially if the dog has digestive signs. Reduced appetite that lasts beyond the early settling period, or any change in stool that persists, is a reason to see the vet rather than wait.
Where to confirm current rules in AIRS
Verification involves three places: AIRS for the inspection question, My CFIA for permit applications, and the CFIA pet imports page for the written rules.
Searching AIRS by country and animal
Run the search using the country you are importing from and the species, which here is dog. Treat the result as the answer for that exact combination, because the outcome depends on both the origin and the animal. Do not reuse a result saved from an earlier enquiry. Run the search again close to your travel or shipping date, and record the date you ran it.
Checking the page’s last-modified date
The CFIA pet imports page carries a last-modified date, which the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2026-05-21) gives as 21 May 2026. Compare that date with the date you last read the page. If the page has changed since your last check, reread the sections that bear on your case before acting. Notices on the page can carry their own dates. Check whether a notice has been updated, not only whether it exists, because the page-level date does not show which paragraph changed.
Contacting CFIA for unclear cases
If AIRS and the pet imports page do not give a clear answer for your situation, contact CFIA directly before booking travel or arranging a shipment. Have these details ready, since they are the variables that change the outcome:
- the species and the dog’s age
- the country of origin
- the purpose of the import
- the planned entry point
Keep the written reply with your travel documents. The official sources consulted do not specify response times, so allow a margin before any deadline.
| Check | Where | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection requirement | AIRS | Result for your country of origin and species |
| Permit application | My CFIA portal | Whether a permit applies and how to apply |
| Current wording | CFIA pet imports page | Last-modified date (2026-05-21) |
| Unclear case | CFIA, direct contact | Written answer to keep on file |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an import permit to bring my own dog into Canada?
Most travellers do not need one. Under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA, 2026) rules, a permit is required only in some cases, and the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) shows whether your specific import needs a permit or a border inspection.
Where do I apply if my dog needs a permit?
Applications are submitted through the My CFIA portal (CFIA, 2026). The official sources consulted do not specify processing times or fees, so check the portal directly before booking travel.
Do the rules for dogs under 8 months old apply to a pet dog?
The CFIA rules for dogs under 8 months, including the single-entry permit, parasite treatment and rabies vaccination at least 28 days before export, apply to commercial dogs imported for breeding or resale, including adoption (CFIA, 2021). The official sources consulted do not state whether the restriction on commercial dogs from high-risk rabies countries applies to personal dogs, so confirm this with the CFIA before travelling.
