I bet you’re here because you love traveling with your dog. Me too.

This past spring we planned a big coastal road trip from Southern California to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with our dogs. A lot of people asked how we did it, and if it was hard. Generally speaking, no, it wasn’t hard. With the right paperwork, vaccinations and preparation, most dogs can travel by car from the US to Canada.

Here are the things we learned based on our experience:

Preparing your dog for a road trip

Doing a little extra prep-work will help support a smoother, safer trip.

Remember to plan a check-up with your vet and to double check that they’re all up to date on their vaccines. Some places, like Canada, require a certificate of health along with a copy of vaccines.

Make sure that your dog’s ID tags/ microchip’s contact information is all up to date, in case you are ever separated.

If your dog is anxious or gets car sick, consider acclimating them to longer drives and packing some calming supplements.

If you have an active dog, plan how you will incorporate exercise into their routine on heavier driving days. Will you take a longer walk in the morning? Plan to do some trick training or puzzles during your gas and bathroom stops?

If you haven’t planned a road trip with your dog before, be sure to check out our blog: Planning your Dog-Friendly Road Trip for more tips and checklists.

What to Pack… for Canada

Our blog post linked above provides a packing checklist, but when it comes to traveling between the USA and Canada specifically, here are additional things to keep in mind:

Paperwork

Prior to our trip to Canada, both of our dogs went in for a wellness check and we obtained all necessary travel forms. As of May 2022, that included a copy of vaccine records, rabies vaccination, and a health certificate. You can find more information from the Government of Canada here. Border officials will request these documents upon entry.

Note: always double check that your vet has signed all the necessary forms before you leave their office, and keep in mind that the health certificates have an expiration date so be sure to plan your appointment appropriately.

Food and Treats

There are also regulations around bringing food into Canada. Some of the regulations include a limit of 20kg (approximately 40lbs), must be of US origin and commercially packaged, both food and pet be in possession of the traveler at time of entry, and that the food only be fed to the pet that accompanies the traveler. Some types of protein are also prohibited so do double check the contents of your food and treats before your trip. For more information on food regulations, you can find more information from the Government of Canada here.

For my overpacking friends, my one tip is to only pack what you need when traveling through customs. We were a little worried about the rules around food so we only packed what wouldn’t be a big deal to lose if they were confiscated.

The one thing I did not research, however, was traveling with pet medication or whether or not there are any breed restrictions.

Crossing the border

At the time of our visit, travelers were required to fill out and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination through the ArriveCAN app (May 2022). Be sure to double check if this is required before your trip. We actually didn’t know and were turned around at the border to complete that first. Luckily it only took about 10-15 minutes to complete for three travelers and we were able to include everyone on one application.

Once we got back to the border, we showed them the approval code the app provided. The border official then asked us a few questions like where we were from, what was the purpose of the trip, who’s car we were driving, and where we’re staying. If you haven’t driven through the border before, this can be a very nerve-wracking experience. Just know that it’s part of their job to make you at least a little uncomfortable as they make sure you’re not lying or suspicious.

We let our border official know that the dogs were with us and we showed them that we had the paperwork. They didn’t look at it closely, and didn’t end up asking about their food, but we have heard that some people do get pulled over to the side for inspection. Although that is rare.

Wrap up

Canada is beautiful and if you have the opportunity to visit, you should. Know that if you want to bring your dog, it is most certainly doable. However, as any trip goes, make sure that the activities you plan are dog-friendly as well.

Happy Adventuring!