Travel · July 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Traveling with a dog or cat: check documents before buying
An old screenshot is not an official requirement. Review the complete route, confirm dates, and help the animal become comfortable with the carrier before departure day.
SENASICA maintains information for people entering or leaving Mexico with dogs or cats. Check that source for the specific trip. Requirements vary with the destination, mode of travel, and current health rules. Advice posted on social media months ago may be incomplete by departure day.
| Documents | Check SENASICA and the destination country's authority. |
|---|---|
| Carrier | Get the airline or transport company's rules in writing. |
| Travel | Practice with the carrier several weeks ahead when possible. |
| Before leaving | Pack records, identification, food, medication, and a recent photo. |
More than one authority governs the route. The destination country may require certificates or treatments, while the airline sets rules for weight, dimensions, and carrier type. Get those details in writing before buying a ticket that cannot be changed.
The carrier needs preparation too. Leave it open at home, place bedding or treats inside, and practice brief closures. Follow with short rides. The animal's first confinement should not happen inside a noisy airport surrounded by strangers.
Prepare one folder with health records, certificates, identification, and phone numbers. Pack enough food, labeled medication, waste bags, and absorbent material. Carry a recent picture of the animal and another of the carrier in case luggage becomes separated.
If the itinerary includes boarding at Villa CanInna, share flight times, active phone numbers, and the name of anyone authorized to collect the animal. A delay can change a booking and possibly a medication time. Early notice lets staff reorganize care without guessing.
Verify the entire route, including the return
Requirements can change by country, species, connection, carrier, and return route. Check the destination authority first and then every carrier; obtain written confirmation of certificate validity, vaccinations, treatments, microchip rules, and carrier dimensions. Start several weeks ahead and check again near departure because animal-health alerts such as rabies or screwworm can change documents and deadlines.
Prepare matching physical and digital folders with identification, vaccination records, certificates, prescriptions, veterinary contacts, and the destination address. The carrier should let the animal stand, turn, and lie down, be clearly identified, and be practiced at home. Unsupervised sedation can increase respiratory or circulatory risk; any travel medication should be decided by the veterinarian who examined the animal.
Sources consulted
Adapted from SENASICA guidance for traveling with pets and reviewing zoosanitary requirements.
