Pet Wiki / Countries / United States Cats in United States: rules and travel There is no national dog or cat licence or registration. Licensing, leash rules, licence fees and rabies vaccination are set by states, counties and cities, so check the local rules. Federally, CDC sets the rules for bringing a dog into the country.
Dogs Cats Licensing, leash laws, licence fees, rabies vaccination and any liability or breed rules are set by states, counties and cities, not federally; USDA mainly covers commercial breeding and animal welfare, and CDC covers dog imports.
Keeping rules CDC does not require proof of rabies vaccination for cats entering the US, but recommends it. The destination state may have its own rules. Cats arriving in Hawaii or Guam face local quarantine rules.[2]
Travelling to United States with a cat From an EU country Dogs from EU countries are treated as low risk because no EU member state is on CDC's high-risk list (updated 15 April 2026). Each dog needs a free CDC Dog Import Form receipt, must be at least 6 months old, microchipped (readable by a universal scanner) and look healthy on arrival. The receipt lasts 6 months. Cats: no CDC rabies vaccination proof is required; they must look healthy.[3]
From outside the EU Dogs only in low-risk or rabies-free countries in the last 6 months follow the same form, 6 months age and microchip rules. Dogs that were in a high-risk country (for example Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan) have stricter rules: a CDC Dog Import Form, a vet-completed and government-endorsed rabies vaccination and microchip form issued no more than 30 days before travel, a first rabies vaccine at 12 weeks or later, and arrival at an airport with a CDC-registered facility. Cats follow the cat rule above.[4]
Rabies antibody test A rabies titre test is needed only for dogs from high-risk countries: a passing titre from a CDC-approved lab, drawn at least 30 days after the first valid vaccine and at least 28 days before entry. Without it the dog goes into 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered facility.[4]
Quarantine No quarantine for dogs from low-risk or rabies-free countries. Dogs from high-risk countries without a passing titre need 28 days at a CDC-registered facility.[4]
What a cat costs in United States Running costs for an average cat of about 4.5 kg, from current prices: about 1,397 USD a year, 1,447 USD in the first year with gear and microchip. Each breed page has its own figure.
Food 210 USD about 27 kg of dry food a year source Routine vet care 800 USD source Pet insurance 387 USD typical policy, varies by breed and age source
Rules by state 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Not confirmed yet: Registration, Microchip. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.