How to Get a Dog Health Certificate

Keeping your dog healthy isn’t just about helping them live a long and happy life. In certain situations, such as traveling with a dog internationally, providing documentation of your dog’s good health is required. A dog health certificate offers that proof.

Obtaining a health certificate for dogs is a multi-step process that can take months to complete. There is a lot to learn about this process, so it’s important to become familiar with it well in advance.

In this article, we’re going to help you understand all that you need to know about dog health certificates, including why you would need one, how to get one, and mistakes to avoid.

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What Is a Dog Health Certificate?

A dog health certificate is a form that certifies that a dog is in good overall health and free of infectious diseases, such as rabies.

This certificate is required for both international and domestic travel, as well as participation in dog competitions. Pet boarding facilities may also require dog health certificates.

Dog health certificates are issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

These certificates are required to ensure that dogs are not harboring contagious infectious diseases that could endanger public health and the health of other pets.

Listed below are the key components of a USDA dog health certificate:

Be aware that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ health certificate. Countries and states, for example, have varying health requirements for pets, meaning that there will be variations in what information is needed on the health certificate, beyond what is listed above.

Situations That Require a Health Certificate

As previously mentioned, certain situations require a dog health certificate. A longer list of these situations is below:

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Dog Health Certificate

Getting a dog health certificate is a process that can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. Allow yourself plenty of time to complete the steps described below.

Schedule a vet appointment

First, schedule an appointment with a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Not all vets have this accreditation. To locate one in your area, visit the USDA APHIS website. Schedule the appointment at your earliest convenience, ideally about 3 to 6 months in advance if you’re traveling by air.

To help your vet prepare for the appointment, explain why you need the health certificate when scheduling the appointment.

Required vaccinations and health checks

A dog health certificate confirms that a dog is up to date on all their vaccinations. A current rabies vaccination is required, along with vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus.

During the appointment, your vet will perform a comprehensive physical exam, which includes examining each body part and assessing mobility and body condition score.

The appointment will also include a review of your dog’s medical records and vaccination history. Additionally, your vet will perform various laboratory tests, such as a fecal exam and bloodwork, to ensure your dog is free of diseases.

There is no single answer to how far in advance to plan, because each entity (country, dog competition, etc.) has their own pet health requirements. For example, for international dog travel, you should allow at least several months to complete the health certificate process. Less time is required for domestic travel, or if you are boarding your pet.

It is best to check with the specific entity to determine how far in advance to start the health certificate process. Your vet can do some of the legwork for you to make that determination.

Domestic vs. International Travel Requirements

There are differences in travel requirements depending on whether you are traveling domestically or internationally. International travel requirements are more stringent, so we’ll start with those first.

International Dog Travel Requirements

International requirements include proof of rabies vaccination and other required vaccinations, disease screening, microchipping, and a physical exam performed by a USDA-accredited vet. Some countries may also require a quarantine for a certain number of days to ensure that a dog is disease-free.

The vet will look up the specific health requirements for the country to which you’ll be traveling. You can also visit one of the USDA APHIS websites to look up country-specific requirements. For Canada, for example, dogs younger than 8 months may require a health certificate and proof of rabies vaccination.

After the USDA-accredited vet completes the certificate, the certificate must then be submitted to USDA APHIS for a stamp of endorsement. Please note that you will also need to complete another health exam for your dog, as required by the regulations of your home country and state.

Domestic Travel Requirements

Domestic travel requirements are less stringent. For example, not all airlines require a health certificate; check with your specific airline for their requirements. Also, keep in mind that each state has its own health requirements and regulations for pet travel.

A dog health certificate for flying domestically will need to confirm that your dog is disease-free and up to date on vaccinations.

What to Bring to Your Vet Appointment

The more prepared you are for your vet appointment, the better. Make sure to bring this documentation with you to the appointment:

You can also complete this helpful pet owner worksheet and bring it with you to the appointment.

Costs and Timeframes

The cost for the certificate itself ranges from about $50 to $200. This cost does not include additional charges from your vet to complete any tests and vaccinations that are needed.

There are also USDA APHIS fees for endorsing the certificate, if your destination location requires that. These fees range from about $100 to $275, according to the number of pets traveling with you and the number of tests needed to complete the health certificate. You can check the APHIS website on endorsement fees to determine the exact cost of health certificate endorsement for your dog.

How long dog health certificates are valid varies depending on where you’re traveling. Generally, certificates for international travel from the United States are valid for 10 days after issuance, while those for domestic travel are valid for 30 days after issuance. Airlines may have different timelines for how long a health certificate is valid after issuance, so check with your airline about this information.

If you’re in a rush for a health certificate, be prepared to pay extra to get the certificate completed more quickly. You may need to contact multiple USDA-accredited vets to find one that can see your dog quickly and expedite the process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistakes, such as those described below, can prolong the process of getting a dog health certificate.

Tips for Smooth Travel with Your Dog

Traveling can be stressful — even more so when you are traveling with your dog. Fortunately, there are many strategies for making the travel experience more comfortable for your dog and easier for you.

Crate training and comfort

Crate training, when done correctly, will help your dog see their crate as a place of comfort, safety, and security. After you have booked your trip, begin acclimating your dog to a crate by giving the crate a cozy, den-like feel. Reward your dog with treats and verbal praise when they stay in the crate for increasingly longer time periods.

Make sure that the crate is compliant with your airline’s requirements for animal crates.

Keeping documents accessible

You don’t want to fumble around in your bags to locate your pet’s travel documents. Keep all the records in a single folder and store that folder in an easily accessible section of your carry-on luggage.

Preparing for customs and inspections

If you are traveling internationally with your pet, you will have to go through customs and inspections when you arrive at your destination and when you return. Ensure that you have all your dog’s travel paperwork, including the health certificate and vaccination record, ready to present at customs. Also, your dog may be examined to make sure they are healthy.

When you return to the United States, you must have a completed CDC Dog Import Form, which you can obtain on the CDC website.

Vet-approved calming strategies

Does your dog get anxious during travel? There are some vet-approved calming strategies to minimize your dog’s stress. For example, you can put something with your scent, such as a sweater, in your dog’s crate. You can also give them their favorite toys and bedding to keep them comfortable.

There are also prescription and non-prescription calming medications. Prescription options include Xanax and trazodone. Examples of non-prescription calming therapies include Rescue Remedy drops, pheromones, and Thundershirts.

You and your vet can discuss which anti-anxiety strategies will work best for your dog on the day of travel.

Final Checklist Before You Travel

Last but certainly not least, make sure you have all your paperwork organized before you travel:

This is a lot of information to take in, but following this guide will help ensure that getting a health certificate for your dog goes as smoothly as possible.