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Taking a Dog or Cat to the UK
To bring a dog or cat into Great Britain you need a microchip, a rabies vaccine given at least 21 days before travel, and either a GB animal health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival or a valid EU or Northern Ireland pet passport. Dogs also need a vet-recorded tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival.
Requirements at a glance
| Microchip | ISO 15-digit chip, implanted before the rabies shot |
|---|---|
| Rabies vaccine | At 12+ weeks old, then wait 21 days |
| Health certificate | GB animal health certificate within 10 days, or a valid EU/NI pet passport |
| Tapeworm (dogs) | 24 to 120 hours before arrival, recorded by a vet |
| Route | Approved airline, ferry or rail route; most airlines carry pets as cargo |
| Quarantine | None if the rules are met |
| Plan ahead | At least 4 weeks |
Step-by-step timeline
- 4+ weeks beforeMicrochip checked and rabies vaccine current. A primary rabies vaccine needs 21 days before travel.
- Book the routePets must arrive with an approved carrier on an approved route. Most airlines fly pets into Great Britain as manifest cargo, not in the cabin.
- 10 days beforeAnimal health certificate from an official vet (endorsed by USDA APHIS if you leave from the US). EU residents can use their EU pet passport instead.
- 1 to 5 days beforeDogs: tapeworm treatment given and recorded by a vet 24 to 120 hours before you arrive.
- ArrivalThe carrier checks documents and scans the microchip before or at entry.
Dogs vs cats
Dogs and cats follow the same microchip, rabies and certificate rules. Only dogs need the tapeworm treatment, and it is not required for dogs coming directly from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway. Banned breeds, such as the Pit Bull Terrier and XL Bully, cannot be brought in without an exemption.
Common mistakes
- Missing the tapeworm window. Too early (more than 5 days) or too late (less than 24 hours) means refused entry for dogs.
- Booking a pet in the cabin. Outside assistance dogs, most flights into Great Britain only accept pets as cargo.
- Using a pet passport issued in Great Britain. These are no longer valid for entry; you need an animal health certificate.
- Forgetting the 21-day wait after a first rabies vaccine.
Official source: GOV.UK: bring your pet to Great Britain
Other destinations
🇪🇺 EU🇺🇸 US🇨🇦 Canada🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇺 Australia
Frequently asked questions
Does my dog need quarantine when entering the UK?
No. Dogs and cats that meet the microchip, rabies, certificate and tapeworm rules enter without quarantine. Pets that fail the checks can be quarantined or sent back at the owner's cost.
When should my dog get the tapeworm treatment for the UK?
Between 24 and 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before the scheduled arrival in Great Britain, given and recorded by a vet.
Can my cat fly in the cabin to the UK?
Generally no. Pets usually have to arrive as manifest cargo on an approved route. Recognised assistance dogs are the main exception.
Is a UK pet passport still valid?
Pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. EU and Northern Ireland pet passports can still be used to enter Great Britain.
Sources
Rules change. Always confirm with the official source above and your vet before you travel or change a vaccine plan.