What Texas requires when a cat arrives — whoever you are arriving from. These rules hang off the arrival, not the trip type: a flight from Frankfurt and a flight from Los Angeles are treated the same here. Requirements can change — always confirm with the authority before you travel.
These requirements come on top of the country's — they can only tighten or add, never loosen.
From 12 weeks of age rabies vaccination is mandatory. A vaccination certificate — or a pet passport carrying the required information — is accepted as proof. The animal only counts as currently vaccinated once 30 days have passed since the initial vaccination, which lengthens the lead time of the trip.
⚠️ Unlike New York, Texas explicitly accepts the pet passport as proof of vaccination. Two states of the same country, opposite statements about the same document.
If the initial rabies vaccination was given less than 30 days before arrival, the animal must be confined at home for the balance of the 30 days. Animals under 12 weeks arriving from another country must be confined until 30 days after their initial vaccination.
Texas itself does not require a health certificate. In the same sentence the authority points out that most airlines do — so travelling without one is not a safe conclusion.
🗓️ Read at the state authority on 01/08/2026.
Source: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/notifiable-conditions/zoonosis-control/pets/pets/entry
Arriving from Germany/the EU, the national entry requirements of USA apply on top. Arriving from another part of the same country means crossing no international border — then only the section above applies.
Not required by US authorities; however, nearly all airlines require a health certificate (veterinary certificate, often valid max. 10 days before departure). Please check with your airline.
No permit; no CDC form for cats
Not federally required (recommended)
Not federally required
Cats: no CDC minimum age; valid rabies vaccination (~12 weeks).
No
None
Not required
None
Standard
These apply on the ground in the destination country — to everyone, not as an entry condition — and depend on the breed and situation (e.g. public transport, listed breeds).
No federal breed bans
None (cat)
Cat must appear healthy; check destination-state rules; Official source: cdc.gov/importation
Authority: USDA APHIS (CDC-Hunderegel gilt nicht für Katzen)
🗓️ Read at the responsible authority on 20/07/2026.
Check your specific route & airlines →For informational purposes only. Regulations change frequently — verify with the relevant authorities before travel.