Going on holiday with your dog to Canada is definitely a holiday worth taking. You see taking a dog to Canada is not that difficult, but there some things you will need to know first before you start booking that holiday with your dog in mind.
In this article your find everything you need to know, about what the regulations are when traveling with your dog.
If you’re thinking about going on holiday to Canada or you thinking about moving there,
and you’re wondering if you can take your dog with you, then you’re in the right place!
Taking A Dog To Canada
Now the rules and regulations are slightly different from if you were visiting a country in the EU,
or when entering with a domestic dog in Canada, your dog does not have to be quarantined.
Also, Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for dogs that are imported as pets.
However, any dogs under 8 months of age imported under the commercial category must be identified by an electronic microchip.
The Canada Border Services Agency may refer any animal presented at the border for secondary inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency For more information Click here
Your dog will need to be vaccinated against rabies, before entering Canada, But if your dog is less than 3 months of age at the time of entry, then a rabies vaccination is not required. You will need to show proof of the dog’s age if requested.
All dog vaccinations are carried out by an Official Veterinarian, To enquire about getting your dog vaccinated against rabies simply call your local vet and they can advise you further.
When bringing a Dog to Canada you will have a documentary inspection by the Canada Border Services Agency to make sure your dog’s rabies vaccination is up to date and that your dog’s description matches.
They will also visually inspect your dog to ensure that there are no visible signs of any illness.
There are current fees for this inspection listed below…
- $30.00 plus tax for the first animal in the shipment
- $5.00 plus tax for each additional animal in the shipment
If your dog does not meet Canada’s import requirement for rabies certification even if your dog is being imported from the US.
The dog will undergo vaccination for rabies at the owner’s expense within two weeks of its arrival and the following fees apply.
- $55.00 + tax for the first animal in the shipment; and
- $30.00 + tax for each additional animal.
Taxes or duties are calculated by the CBSA, and any fees must be paid at the time of inspection. All of this information you can get from the Canada Border Services Agency website by clicking on the links above.
Dogs On A Plane
Now if you’re using Air Canada they Allow dogs that are under 22 lbs 10 kg this is including the dog carrier,
with the maximum dimensions of 21 x 38 x 43 cm, they can travel with you in the cabin.
You can travel with two dogs but only one carrier per passenger in the cabin.
If your dogs and carrier exceed the dimensions or weight limits they will have to travel in the cargo hold. Pet fees will apply!
You’ll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time.
There is another Airline that will accept dogs in the cabin, But the rules will be different with each airline.
If you are unsure which airlines allow dogs on a plane or will accept your dog in the cabin, here’s an article below your find very useful.
Related Article
The price for travelling with your dog can be anything up to $100 including taxes each way, this also depends on your destination.
Taking Dog Food Into Canada
When traveling to Canada from the U.S. you are allowed to bring up to 20 kg of dog food,
and treats with you, but only if you meet all of the following requirements below.
- The dog food must be of United States origin and be commercially packaged
- The dog food must be in the possession of the traveller at the time of entry from the U.S
- The animal that eat’s the imported dog food must accompany the traveller at the time of entry
- The dog food is fed only to the animal that accompanied the traveller into Canada
Banned Dog Breeds In Canada
Currently, in Manitoba and Ontario in the city of Winnipeg, there are bans on certain breeds listed below that are classed as dangerous dogs, to this day there are still groups of people calling for the law to be based on behavior and focus more on responsible ownership.
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- American Staffordshire terrier
- American pit bull terrier
- Pit bull terrier
- Or any dog that has an appearance or physical characteristics
Dog Carrier
Before travelling with your dog to Canada you will need a Pet Carrier or cage depending on the size of your dog.
Airlines will not onboard your dog unless you are using a suitable dog carrier or cage as per by the airlines.
As I said before each airline has different rules and regulations so it’s always best to check with your airline first before booking your flight.
If you don’t have a dog carrier already, don’t worry, There are all kinds of pet carriers on the market that have already been approved by the Airline.
To view, some Airline Approved Dog Carriers and read Reviews I recommend you head over to Amazon’s Website there you will be able to find the recommended size, weight, and price.
Dogs Health Certificate
You don’t need a health certificate when bringing your dog into Canada. but as mentioned before the border agents may refer your dog for a secondary inspection.
If your dog shows any signs of being ill when entering Canada the border agents can request a health certificate from a veterinarian. This is to check that your dog’s condition is not contagious.
Dogs Health
Always consider the health of your dog when travelling, I’ve said this many times but before you start your journey with your dog, make sure he or she is ready to board the plane,
You see not all dogs feel happy travelling on a plane, They might show unusual behavior if they board a plane without notice.
Always refer to your local vet about this, they can advise ways to make the flight feel much more comfortable for your dog.
A sudden change in the climate is also something else you need to take into account.
A change in the environment can cause a lot of stress for your dog to handle. The weather might be too hot or cold for your dog and this can lead to some problems.
Like I said it’s always best to talk to your vet about concerns you might have and to make sure the dog is perfectly fine to travel abroad.
Pet-Friendly Hotels In Canada
The next thing you want to check when booking your hotel is making sure its Pet friendly,
Canada has many hotels that welcome pets the hardest part is finding the right one, So I recommend searching online, using a website called booking.com, I use them myself.
This way it’s quick easy and hassle-free, there you can simply put your destination where you want to stay, then they will do the rest and search the area to find all the pet-friendly hotels for you.
