Travelling with Your Pet in Canada: What You Need to Know

Canada is one of the best countries in the world to travel with a pet. The country is vast, the outdoors are extraordinary, and Canadians are generally welcoming of well-behaved animals. But travelling with a dog or cat — whether across the province or across the country — requires more planning than most people anticipate the first time they do it.

Here's what you need to know to make pet travel in Canada safe, comfortable, and genuinely enjoyable for both of you.

Travelling by Car with a Pet in Canada

The car is the most common way Canadians travel with pets, and for good reason — it offers the most flexibility and the least stress for most animals. A few things to get right:

Restraint and Safety

In several Canadian provinces, including Ontario and British Columbia, it is illegal to drive with an unrestrained pet in the vehicle. Beyond the legal requirement, an unrestrained dog in a moving vehicle is a genuine safety risk — to the animal, to passengers, and to other drivers. A dog that becomes a projectile in a sudden stop can cause serious injury.

Options include a crash-tested harness attached to the seatbelt, a secured crate, or a barrier that confines the dog to the cargo area. For cats, a secured carrier is the only appropriate option.

Never Leave a Pet in a Parked Car

This bears repeating every year: a parked car in Canadian summer can reach lethal temperatures within minutes, even on a mild day with windows cracked. In most provinces, leaving a pet in a hot vehicle is a criminal offence under animal cruelty legislation. If you can't take your pet with you, don't bring them.

Breaks and Hydration

Plan for a stop every two to three hours on long drives — for water, a short walk, and a bathroom break. Keep a travel water bowl and a supply of fresh water in the car at all times. Avoid feeding a large meal immediately before travel to reduce the risk of motion sickness.

Travelling by Air with a Pet in Canada

Air travel with pets in Canada is more complicated than car travel and requires careful advance planning.

In-Cabin vs. Cargo

Small dogs and cats that fit in an approved carrier under the seat can typically travel in-cabin on most Canadian carriers, subject to airline-specific size and weight limits. Larger dogs must travel as checked baggage or cargo — a significantly more stressful experience for the animal, and one that carries more risk.

Each airline has its own rules, fees, and breed restrictions (brachycephalic breeds — pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs, Persian cats — are often prohibited from cargo travel due to respiratory risk). Always confirm directly with your airline well in advance of travel.

Health Certificates

Most Canadian airlines require a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Book your vet appointment accordingly, and check whether your destination province or country has any additional entry requirements.

Crossing the Canada-US Border with a Pet

Crossing into the United States with a dog or cat from Canada is generally straightforward, but there are requirements to be aware of:

• Dogs — must be healthy and free of signs of disease. The US CDC requires dogs entering from Canada to have a valid rabies vaccination if they have been in a country with a higher risk of dog rabies within the past six months. Check current CDC requirements before travel, as these have changed in recent years.
• Cats — no federal vaccination requirements for cats entering the US from Canada, though individual states may have their own rules.
• Documentation — carry your pet's vaccination records and any health certificates. Border agents may ask to see them.

Re-entering Canada from the US requires proof of rabies vaccination for dogs and cats. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) governs pet import requirements — check the CFIA website for current rules before any cross-border trip.

Pet-Friendly Accommodation in Canada

Pet-friendly accommodation has expanded significantly across Canada in recent years, but "pet-friendly" means different things in different places. Always confirm:

• Whether pets are allowed in the specific room type you're booking
• Any size or breed restrictions
• Pet fees — these can range from a small nightly surcharge to a substantial non-refundable deposit
• Whether pets can be left unattended in the room

Platforms like BringFido and Petswelcome are useful for finding genuinely pet-friendly accommodation rather than relying on hotel websites that may not be fully up to date.

National and Provincial Parks

Canada's national and provincial parks are among the best places in the world to travel with a dog — but rules vary significantly between parks and even between trails within the same park.

In most Parks Canada properties, dogs are permitted in frontcountry areas (campgrounds, picnic areas, some trails) but must be on a leash at all times. Many backcountry trails prohibit dogs entirely to protect wildlife. Check the specific park's website before you go, and always carry waste bags.

Keeping Your Pet Comfortable on the Road

Travel is inherently stressful for most animals. A few things that help:

• Familiar items — bring your pet's own bed, blanket, or a worn item of your clothing. Familiar scents are calming in an unfamiliar environment.
• Consistent feeding schedule — maintain your pet's normal meal times as closely as possible. Disruption to routine amplifies stress.
• High-value treats — use treats generously during travel to build positive associations with the car, carrier, and new environments. Single-ingredient treats with a strong smell work particularly well as high-value rewards.
• Enrichment — a lick mat with a smear of food can occupy and calm an anxious dog during a long drive or in an unfamiliar accommodation.
• Exercise before travel — a well-exercised dog is a calmer traveller. A long walk or play session before a car journey makes a meaningful difference.

For travel-ready enrichment and calming tools, see our Enrichment & Play collection. For high-value treats that work well as travel rewards, see our Nutritional Care range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a health certificate to travel within Canada with my pet?

For domestic travel within Canada by car, no health certificate is required. For air travel, most Canadian airlines require a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of the flight. Check your specific airline's requirements when booking.

Can I take my dog to Canadian national parks?

Yes, in most frontcountry areas, with a leash. Rules vary by park and by trail — some backcountry areas prohibit dogs entirely. Always check the specific park's website before visiting, and carry waste bags at all times.

What do I need to cross the Canada-US border with a dog?

At a minimum, proof of current rabies vaccination. The US CDC has specific requirements for dogs that have recently been in countries with a higher risk of rabies — check current CDC and CFIA guidelines before travel, as requirements have changed in recent years.

How do I find pet-friendly hotels in Canada?

Platforms like BringFido and Petswelcome specialize in verified pet-friendly accommodations. Always confirm pet policies, fees, and any breed or size restrictions directly with the property before booking, as policies can change.

How can I reduce my pet's anxiety during car travel?

Familiar scents, consistent routine, exercise before travel, and high-value treats used to build positive associations all help. For anxious dogs, a lick mat during the journey provides calming mental engagement. Gradual desensitization — short practice trips before a long journey — is the most effective long-term approach.