4 Things You Must Do Before Traveling to the USA with Your Puppy
Tanisha Kumari | Nov 13, 2025, 18:45 IST
Travel with the dog
( Image credit : Freepik )
Traveling to the USA with your puppy requires more than just booking a flight. From understanding CDC import rules and securing vaccinations to choosing a pet-friendly airline and preparing your puppy for the journey, this guide outlines the four essential steps every pet owner must follow to ensure a smooth, legal, and stress-free travel experience.
Travelling with the puppy to the USA seems like a great experience but this requires a lot of planning. The USA has strict rules for animal importation to ensure health and safety of both pets and people. Many pet owners think traveling with a small puppy is easy but it is not just about buying a ticket. The puppy needs health checks, documents and the right gear to fly. Some airlines and airports also have different rules for pets which must be followed.
Check US Import Rules
Before booking the tickets then the first thing is to check the Centres for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) regulations for importing dogs. The US categorizes countries into ‘rabies free’ and ‘high risk’ regions.
If a person lives in a country that is considered a high risk region then they need extra documentation, proof of rabies vaccination and an important permit from the CDC.
Vaccination is non-negotiable when it comes to international travel with a pet. Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old before receiving their first rabies shot and they have to wait at least 28 days after vaccination before entering the US.
Apart from rabies make sure the pet is updated with all the other vaccinations such as
All puppies traveling to the USA should have a working microchip as it helps identify the pet easily if something goes wrong or the puppy gets lost during travel. The microchip should match initials written on the rabies certificate and health documents. Get is scanned and tested before leaving.
A certified vet must also give the puppy a health certificate which shows that their puppy is healthy and free from any diseases. Most airlines and US customs ask for this certificate at the airport.
Not all airlines treat pets the same way as some allow small puppies to travel in the cabin while others require them to go in the cargo hold. Each airline has its own pet policy including restrictions on crate size, pet weight and breed types.
Before booking, call the airline to confirm their pet policy and availability. Reserve a pet slot early since airlines have limited capacity per flight.
Prepare the Puppy for the Flight
Puppies should be ready for flying a few days before the trip. Start training the puppy to sit and rest inside the carrier for short times at home. Give some soft bedding and a favourite toy inside so the puppy feels safe and calm.
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!
Check US Import Rules
Airline
( Image credit : Freepik )
Before booking the tickets then the first thing is to check the Centres for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) regulations for importing dogs. The US categorizes countries into ‘rabies free’ and ‘high risk’ regions.
Get the Puppy Vaccinated
Apart from rabies make sure the pet is updated with all the other vaccinations such as
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
- Bordetella (for kennel cough)
- Leptospirosis (depending on the vet’s advice)
Microchip and Health Certificate
A certified vet must also give the puppy a health certificate which shows that their puppy is healthy and free from any diseases. Most airlines and US customs ask for this certificate at the airport.
Booking a Pet friendly Airline and Confirm Requirements
Carrier
( Image credit : Freepik )
Not all airlines treat pets the same way as some allow small puppies to travel in the cabin while others require them to go in the cargo hold. Each airline has its own pet policy including restrictions on crate size, pet weight and breed types.
Before booking, call the airline to confirm their pet policy and availability. Reserve a pet slot early since airlines have limited capacity per flight.
Prepare the Puppy for the Flight
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!