Moving to the United Kingdom with a dog or cat
The best-documented route in our data. gov.uk sets a strict order for Great Britain: microchip first, then the rabies vaccination, then a wait of at least 21 full days, a travel document, and for dogs a tapeworm treatment shortly before arrival.
- Verified read on an official page (2026-10-19)
- Partly verified the official quote covers only part of it
- Not verified yet we could not confirm it on an official page
Planning help, not legal or veterinary advice. Rules change; confirm with the official authority and your vet before you travel.
My route
Checklist, in order
Microchip
VerifiedMicrochip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination
They must be microchipped before they get their rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination, then wait
VerifiedWait at least 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last of the first course)
This will be at least 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last of the first course of vaccinations).
Rabies antibody blood test
VerifiedBlood test may be required depending on the country travelled from
Depending on the country you're travelling from, you might also need to get a blood test.
Pet travel document
VerifiedPet travel document issued by the vet; type depends on country of departure
Get a pet travel document from your vet. The type of document you need will depend on the country you're travelling from.
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
VerifiedDogs: treat no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days before arrival in Great Britain
Your dog must be treated no less than 24 hours before (and no more than 5 days before) you arrive in Great Britain.
Tapeworm treatment (cats)
Not verified yetThe tapeworm rule we hold is for dogs. For cats, check the gov.uk page.
The source page is about Great Britain.
Not verified yet: check the official page
We could not confirm these on an official page. Do not assume anything: ask the authority below. (2026-10-19)
- Which departure countries need the blood test (it depends on where you travel from)
- Tapeworm treatment for cats (the rule we hold is for dogs)
- Whether the same rules apply to Northern Ireland (the gov.uk page we hold is for Great Britain)
Official pages
Number of pets and breed rules
Maximum number of pets
VerifiedMore than 5 pets only if attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event
you're bringing more than 5 pets and are not attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event
Banned or restricted breeds
VerifiedBanned types: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully; it is against the law to own these
it's against the law to own certain types of dog. These are the: Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentino Fila Brasileiro XL Bully
New from 1 November 2026
VerifiedFrom 1 November 2026: must not leave a child under 12 in close contact with a banned dog unsupervised in a private place
From 1 November 2026, you must not leave a child under 12 in close contact with a banned dog in a private place
My pet move timeline
Planning help only. Enter your arrival date and we count back using only the windows in the checklist above.
Pick your arrival date to see the timeline.
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