The cat must appear healthy.
Cats are subject to inspection at the port of entry. If a cat appears ill or shows signs of a disease that could affect people, a veterinary examination may be required at the owner’s expense.
Domestic cats entering the United States
The import requirements are relatively simple, but the destination and airline still matter.
CDC does not require proof of rabies vaccination for an ordinary domestic cat entering the United States, and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services has no general animal-health import requirements for domestic pet cats. Your cat must still appear healthy, and other rules may apply.
Microchip your cat before travel.
CDC and USDA do not impose a general microchip requirement for an ordinary domestic pet cat, but permanent identification helps connect the cat to its records and is especially valuable during international travel.
Keep rabies vaccination current.
CDC does not require proof of rabies vaccination for cat importation, but CDC recommends vaccination. The destination state, territory, municipality or airline may also require it.
There is no single federal minimum age.
CDC and USDA do not publish a general minimum import age for ordinary domestic pet cats. A young kitten may still be unable to travel because the destination or airline requires a minimum age, rabies vaccination or health certificate.
Your practical cat-entry checklist
- Arrange permanent identification.Have a veterinarian microchip the cat and make sure the number is recorded correctly on vaccination and travel documents. This is our recommendation, not a general CDC import requirement.
- Keep rabies vaccination current.Even though CDC does not require proof for cat importation, vaccination protects the cat and avoids problems where destination or airline rules require it.
- Obtain a recent veterinary health certificate.The United States does not generally require one for an ordinary domestic pet cat, but airlines generally require recent veterinary documentation confirming that the cat was examined and is fit to travel. The airline determines how recently it must be issued and how long it remains acceptable.
- Check the destination state or territory.Rabies, age, health-certificate and entry requirements vary. Check the final destination, not only the airport where the cat first lands.
- Check the operating airline.Confirm minimum age, booking method, cabin or cargo acceptance, route, aircraft, crate, temperature restrictions and breed restrictions.
- Confirm whether wildlife rules apply.Hybrid or protected cats may be regulated differently from an ordinary domestic pet cat.
The rules apply even when a cat arrives from the U.S. mainland. Do not use the continental-U.S. checklist as the final plan for either destination.
Official verification
Check the rules that apply to your actual destination and itinerary.
The short federal checklist does not override a state, territory, municipality, departure-country or airline requirement.