Your dog or cat needs a current rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian. For land crossings into Baja by car, that is essentially all Mexico requires. The harder part is getting your pet back into the US under new CDC rules that took effect in August 2024.
What Does Mexico Require to Bring a Dog or Cat In?
Mexico’s requirements for dogs and cats entering from the United States are straightforward. You need a rabies vaccination certificate showing your pet’s vaccine is current. The vaccine must have been given at least 15 days before entry but no more than 12 months prior. Puppies and kittens under three months old are exempt from the rabies requirement.
You also need a health certificate (certificado de buena salud) issued by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must be on official letterhead and include the vet’s license number. It confirms your pet is free of visible disease and parasites. The certificate is valid for 15 days from the date of issue. Get it within two weeks of your travel date.
Your pet must also be free of external parasites (ticks, fleas) at the time of entry. A recent deworming treatment within six months is required. Your vet can handle both the health certificate and deworming in a single visit.
What Happens at the Border When You Drive Into Baja?
At land crossings like San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, and Mexicali, there is no SENASICA or OISA inspection office checking pets. Nobody stops you to examine your dog at the Tijuana border. You drive through. The Mexican side does not have a pet inspection checkpoint at any Baja land crossing.
This does not mean the requirements do not exist. If police stop you at a highway checkpoint south of the border, proper documentation protects you. The same applies if your pet needs veterinary care in Mexico. Mexican authorities can technically ask for proof of vaccination at any time. In practice, the land crossing is honor-system for pets traveling by car.
Flying is different. If you fly into Los Cabos, La Paz, Tijuana, or Loreto airports, SENASICA inspectors at the airport may check your pet’s documentation. They verify the rabies certificate and health certificate at the OISA (Oficina de Inspeccion de Sanidad Agropecuaria) desk in the arrivals area. Have your paperwork printed and ready.
What About Getting Your Pet Back Into the US?
This is where the process gets more involved. The CDC updated dog import rules in August 2024. The new rules apply to every dog entering or returning to the United States, including dogs that left the US and are coming home.
Mexico is classified as a “low-risk” country for dog rabies. That simplifies things compared to high-risk countries. But you still need to comply with the new requirements.
Every dog entering the US must be at least six months old. Every dog must have a microchip readable by a universal scanner. Every dog must appear healthy at the time of entry. And you must complete the CDC Dog Import Form online before crossing back. The form is free and valid for six months.
If a US vet vaccinated your dog against rabies, keep that proof with you. US-vaccinated dogs returning from low-risk countries like Mexico do not need a rabies titer test. They just need the CDC form, the microchip, and proof of US vaccination.
If a Mexican vet vaccinated your dog (not a US vet), the rules are stricter. Foreign-vaccinated dogs may need additional documentation. Check the CDC website before your return trip.
Cats face fewer restrictions returning to the US. The CDC does not regulate cat imports the same way. US Customs may ask for a rabies certificate, but there is no CDC import form for cats.
Do Airlines Have Their Own Rules?
Yes. Airline pet policies vary and often add requirements beyond what the governments demand.
Most airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel (not 15 days like Mexico requires). This means your vet visit must be timed to satisfy both the airline and Mexico. Get the health certificate 7 to 10 days before your flight to cover both.
Airlines flying into Baja (Volaris, Alaska Airlines, Southwest, American) each have their own pet fees, carrier size limits, and breed restrictions. Check your specific airline before booking. Fees range from $100 to $200 USD per flight for in-cabin pets. Cargo transport for larger dogs costs $200 to $500 USD per flight.
Some airlines restrict pet travel during summer months when cargo hold temperatures exceed safe limits. Los Cabos and La Paz airports can hit 40C (104F) on the tarmac from June through September. If your dog flies cargo during summer, confirm the airline will accept them for that route and date.
What Vaccinations Does Your Pet Need?
Rabies is the only vaccination Mexico requires by law. But vets on both sides of the border recommend additional vaccines for pets living in Baja.
For dogs: distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. Lepto is particularly important in Baja. Standing water after summer rains and contact with wildlife carry leptospirosis risk in both BC and BCS. Your US vet may not routinely vaccinate for lepto. Ask for it before you move.
For cats: feline distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis. Indoor cats in Baja still benefit from these core vaccines because outdoor cats are everywhere and contact is hard to prevent.
Tick-borne diseases are common in Baja. Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis spread through brown dog ticks, which are present year-round in all Baja cities. Use a monthly tick preventive (Nexgard, Bravecto, or Simparica). Mexican veterinary pharmacies carry all three brands.
Can You Find Good Veterinary Care in Baja?
Veterinary care in Baja is good and affordable. Vet visits cost $300 to $800 pesos ($15 to $40 USD). Spay and neuter surgeries run $1,500 to $3,000 pesos. Vaccinations cost $200 to $500 pesos per shot.
Tijuana has dozens of veterinary clinics, including 24-hour emergency hospitals. Ensenada, Rosarito, La Paz, and Los Cabos all have established vet clinics that serve expat pets. Many Baja vets studied at UABC (Universidad Autonoma de Baja California) or UABCS in La Paz. Several are bilingual.
For emergencies, Tijuana’s Veterinaria del Bosque and Hospital Veterinario de Especialidades are two well-known facilities. In Los Cabos, Cabo Vet and Cabo Pet Clinic handle English-speaking clients. In La Paz, ask the expat community for current recommendations.
What About Exotic Pets or Multiple Animals?
Mexico limits personal pet imports to three dogs or cats per person per crossing. If you are bringing more than three, you may need a commercial import permit from SENASICA. The process involves paperwork that takes weeks.
Birds, reptiles, hamsters, and other exotic pets each have their own SENASICA import rules. These vary by species and often require specific permits. Contact the SENASICA office or the Mexican consulate in your US city before traveling with any non-dog, non-cat pet.
What If You Are Moving Permanently With Your Pet?
The process is the same whether you are visiting for a weekend or moving permanently. Mexico does not distinguish between tourist pets and resident pets on entry. Get the rabies certificate, the health certificate, and the deworming done before you cross.
Once in Baja, register with a local vet. Transfer your pet’s vaccination records. Mexican vets issue their own cartilla de vacunacion (vaccination booklet) that serves as your pet’s ongoing health record. Keep both the US and Mexican records together. You will need the US records every time you cross back into the States.
If you plan to cross the border frequently with your dog, look into SENASICA’s Mascota Viajero Frecuente (Frequent Traveler Pet) program. It simplifies repeat crossings for pets that travel more than three times per year.
Regulations and government processes change. This article reflects information current as of March 2026. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant or contact the relevant government office directly.