Bringing your dog or cat from the UK to Canada
For most British families, the pet is not optional. The good news: Canada has one of the most pet-friendly immigration policies in the developed world. UK dogs and cats can fly with you, into the cabin or as checked baggage, and clear Canadian border without quarantine — provided you handle the paperwork in the right order.
The headline rules for dogs and cats from the UK
- The UK is classified as a rabies-controlled country, so dogs and cats over 8 months old need a rabies vaccination certificate
- No quarantine on arrival
- Microchip required (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
- UK Pet Passport is not formally required, but it consolidates the required documents and is widely accepted
- Health certificate signed by a UK Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel
Step-by-step timeline before flying
- 4+ months before — confirm your pet’s microchip is ISO standard; chip them if not
- 3 months before — rabies vaccination (must be at least 30 days old at travel)
- 2 months before — book pet-friendly flight; not all airlines accept pets in cabin to Canada
- 1 month before — confirm crate dimensions meet IATA Live Animal Regulations
- 2 weeks before — health check with UK Official Veterinarian
- 10 days before — Animal Health Certificate signed by UK Official Vet
- Day of flight — arrive 3 hours early, have all documents accessible
Airlines that accept UK pets to Canada in 2026
- Air Canada: In cabin for small pets, AC Cargo for larger
- British Airways: Cargo only — no in-cabin pets
- Air Transat: Limited pet capacity; book early
- WestJet: In cabin for small pets on direct routes
- KLM via Amsterdam: Strong pet-handling reputation
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt: Excellent cargo-pet handling
Cabin vs checked baggage vs cargo
Cabin: Small dogs and cats up to 10kg including carrier. Best for short flights; pet stays with you.
Checked baggage: Pet travels in the climate-controlled hold on the same plane. Available on most airlines for medium dogs.
Cargo: Required for larger dogs, snub-nosed breeds and any pet exceeding cabin limits. Pet is shipped as freight, often on a separate flight from the owner.
Breeds with extra rules
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds — pugs, bulldogs, Persian and Himalayan cats — face heat-stress risks and most airlines ban summer cargo travel. Plan winter travel for these breeds or use specialist pet-transport companies.
Specific breeds restricted on some Canadian provincial bylaws — Ontario prohibits Pit Bull and related breeds; check the provincial and municipal rules before flying.
Arrival at the Canadian border
Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) inspects pets at the first port of entry. Have documents ready: rabies certificate, microchip number, health certificate. Pet inspection happens at the cargo terminal for hold pets and at customs for cabin pets.
Settling your pet in the first week
- Register with a Canadian vet within 7 days
- Update microchip registration to your Canadian address
- Buy pet insurance — major Canadian providers include Trupanion, Pets Plus Us and Petsecure
- Register with the municipality (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary all require local pet licences)
- Order Canadian-branded food brands — your pet’s UK food may not be available
Other pets — birds, rabbits, reptiles
Most other UK pets can enter Canada with appropriate veterinary documentation but the rules are species-specific. Birds require a 30-day pre-import isolation and CFIA permits. Rabbits need health certificates. Reptiles often require CITES documentation. Check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s automated import reference system before booking.
Your relocation, your pet, your visa — one plan
Moving with pets is one part of a larger UK-to-Canada plan. The right immigration route, employer match, and settlement timing all influence how easily your pet’s journey fits the family’s. Apply now for a Canada Central package — we coordinate your PR application or work permit alongside your landing, housing and yes, your pet plan.
