Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Travel with pets

Documents and pet health

Vaccines up to date, a health certificate and a conversation with the veterinarian before traveling.

The animal’s papers are part of the luggage. Within Brazil, the list is short; for another country, preparation can take months. In any case, the starting point is a consultation with the veterinarian.

This page gathers what is commonly requested. Rules come from official agencies, transport companies and, abroad, the destination country: confirm each requirement before traveling.

Travel within Brazil

To travel around the country with a dog or cat, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock advises carrying the vaccination card, with the rabies vaccine up to date, and a health certificate issued by a veterinarian registered with the professional council. If the certificate already states that the rabies vaccine is up to date, that is sufficient.

The certificate states that the animal was examined, is healthy, free of external parasites, and fit to travel. It has a short validity period, so it must be issued close to the travel date. The passport for dogs and cats, issued by the Ministry, replaces the certificate when it has been updated by the veterinarian.

Airlines, bus companies, and lodging establishments may request these documents and others, such as proof of deworming and protection against fleas and ticks. Whether the lodging is pet friendly, with facilities for animals, or only accepts pets by exception and with conditions, ask for the pet-stay agreement before booking and check what will be required on arrival.

Other pets, such as birds, rabbits, and rodents, follow different rules: they need a specific transit document issued by the agricultural defense authority.

Vaccines, deworming and parasite protection

The rabies vaccine is the one required in travel documents for dogs and cats. Other routine vaccines, deworming, and flea and tick protection are determined by the veterinarian according to the animal’s age and the destination.

Some regions have diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks that do not exist where the animal lives. Tell the veterinarian where you are traveling: they will recommend precautions for that region.

Puppies and kittens should only travel after completing their initial vaccinations. Pregnant females, elderly animals, and animals undergoing treatment require case-by-case evaluation.

International travel

To leave the country with a dog or cat, you need an official document that certifies the animal’s health and is accepted by the destination country. In Brazil, this is the International Veterinary Certificate (CVI), issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock based on the veterinarian’s certificate and the vaccination card. For many destinations, the application is made online. The passport for dogs and cats, when legalized by the Ministry, is accepted by some countries.

Each country has its own requirements. Common ones include a microchip, the rabies vaccine given with a minimum advance interval, a blood test proving the response to the vaccine, parasite treatments and, in some destinations, quarantine. The combined timeframes can exceed several months.

Start with the Ministry’s page on traveling with pets and the veterinary service or consulate of the destination country. Also check the rule for returning to Brazil and the airline’s requirements. Requirements can change: confirm before traveling.

Microchip and identification

The microchip is a device the size of a grain of rice, implanted under the skin by the veterinarian, with a number that identifies the animal. It is required by many countries and for the passport for dogs and cats. In several destinations, it must have been implanted before the rabies vaccine recorded in the documents.

Within Brazil, a microchip is not required for travel, but it helps reunite the animal with its owner if it gets lost, provided the registration is up to date. A collar tag with name and phone number remains the fastest way to be contacted.

Pre-travel consultation

Schedule the appointment several weeks in advance, or months if the destination is another country. Bring the itinerary: destination, climate, means of transport and duration.

The veterinarian examines the animal, updates vaccines, issues the certificate on the appropriate date, and advises on motion sickness, anxiety, feeding and heat. For short-nosed breeds, elderly animals and animals with chronic disease, they evaluate whether the trip and means of transport are appropriate.

Also ask for a copy of the animal’s medical history and the clinic’s contact. In an emergency far from home, this information saves time.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to travel with a dog within Brazil?

Two: the vaccination card proving the rabies vaccine and the health certificate signed by a veterinarian. Transport companies may request other proof: check in advance.

What is the CVI?

It is the International Veterinary Certificate, an official document issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for the export of dogs and cats from Brazil. It certifies the animal’s health according to the destination country’s requirements.

Do I need a health certificate to travel by car with a dog?

The official guidance applies to any means of transport: the vaccination card and health certificate should accompany the animal on trips within the country.

Does my pet need a microchip to travel?

Within Brazil, no. For many countries, yes, and it often must be implanted before the rabies vaccine.

How far in advance should I prepare an international trip with a pet?

Months in advance. Vaccinations, tests and waiting periods required by the destination country can add up to several months. Requirements can change: confirm before traveling.

Does a cat need the same documents as a dog?

Generally, yes. Pet transit rules treat dogs and cats together both within Brazil and for international travel, with specific differences from country to country.