A Texas Veterinarian’s Honest Answer
I’m a licensed veterinarian practicing in Texas, and I’ve helped a steady stream of clients prepare their dogs for trips into Mexico—especially by car. Border towns, beach drives, extended family visits, and winter getaways all come up regularly in my exam room.
The short answer is yes, you can take your dog to Mexico by car. The longer answer is that whether you should depends on how prepared you are and what kind of trip you’re planning.
I’ve seen trips go smoothly, and I’ve also been the person families call from the border because they missed something. The difference is usually not paperwork alone, but expectations.
What the Mexican Border Actually Asks for
Based on my hands-on experience, Mexico’s requirements for dogs are relatively straightforward compared to those of many other countries. When clients are driving across the border, Mexican officials usually require a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. I’ve written many of these, often the week before a trip.
The certificate confirms that the dog appears healthy and free of contagious disease. In practice, officials may also ask about parasite prevention. I’ve had more than one client waved through after verbally confirming their dog was on flea and tick control, but I’ve also had a family sent back to retrieve paperwork because nothing was documented.
Rabies vaccination is a gray area that can be confusing. While Mexico does not always require proof of rabies vaccination at the border, I strongly recommend carrying a current rabies certificate. I’ve never regretted telling a client to bring it, and I’ve regretted the few times someone didn’t listen and ran into trouble later at a checkpoint or hotel.
A Border Crossing I Still Remember
Last spring, a couple drove down with their senior Labrador for a short stay near Ensenada. They had the health certificate but skipped parasite treatment because their dog “never had fleas.” At the border, an official noticed visible ticks near the collar. They were turned away and had to find a local clinic on the U.S. side, pay for treatment, and wait overnight before trying again.
That delay cost them a reservation and a lot of stress. It could also have been avoided with a basic preventive measure that costs far less than a missed vacation.
Driving Versus Flying With a Dog
By car, you have more control, and that’s usually a good thing. I tend to support car travel over flying for dogs, giant breeds, or anxious travelers. I’ve treated dogs who arrived dehydrated or overheated after long drives with poor planning, but I’ve seen far worse outcomes tied to air travel.
When driving into Mexico, you decide when to stop, where your dog rests, and how often water breaks happen. The border itself can be hot and crowded, so I advise clients to cross as early as possible in the morning. Heat exhaustion is one of the most common preventable problems I see after road trips south.
Common Mistakes I See Repeated
One mistake that comes up often is assuming U.S. pet rules apply once you cross. They don’t. Leash laws, hotel policies, and even access to veterinary care can change quickly depending on where you are. I’ve had clients surprised to learn that emergency clinics aren’t always available late at night in smaller Mexican towns.
Another mistake is underestimating stress. A dog who loves car rides at home may react very differently after hours on the road, unfamiliar smells, and a new environment. I remember a client whose normally calm Border Collie became reactive and escaped a rental property on the first night. Fortunately, the dog recovered, but that experience permanently changed how I counsel people about secure housing and ID tags.
Health Risks People Don’t Think About
From a medical standpoint, I worry less about border paperwork and more about exposure risks. Certain tick-borne diseases are more common in parts of Mexico than in Texas. Gastrointestinal upsets from unfamiliar food or scavenging are also frequent. I routinely recommend bringing your dog’s regular diet and avoiding street food scraps, no matter how tempting they look to your dog.
Heartworm prevention is another non-negotiable for me. If a client tells me they’re skipping it “just for a short trip,” I push back. I’ve diagnosed heartworm in dogs who spent only a few weeks in high-risk areas.
My Professional Opinion
I generally support taking dogs to Mexico by car if the trip is planned around the dog’s needs, not just the humans’. If your dog is healthy, well-socialized, up to date on preventatives, and you’re staying in a pet-friendly, secure place, it can be a positive experience.
If your dog is elderly, medically fragile, or highly anxious, I often advise against it. I’ve had honest conversations with clients where the best medical advice was to leave the dog with a trusted sitter. That’s not fear-based advice—it is based on seeing preventable problems turn into emergencies.
Driving into Mexico with your dog isn’t reckless, but it isn’t casual either. The trips that go well are the ones where the owner respects that crossing a border with an animal is a responsibility, not just a convenience.
