Whiskers, paws and a tail may be all the ID a cat thinks it needs! But people need more than that to know about a cat’s health, its owner and its history. That’s where your cat’s vaccination and health records come in, and if you travel abroad, its official pet travel documents.
What Are Cat Health Records, and Why Do You Need Them?
In many countries, cats have a small “pet passport” booklet that records their vaccinations and treatments. In the US and UK, the same information is usually kept in your vet’s electronic records, in a vaccination card or booklet, and in certificates your vet gives you. Whatever form they take, these records are important even if you never plan to travel with your cat:
- you’ll need proof of vaccination for boarding catteries, pet sitters, groomers and cat shows;
- in many US states and localities, cats must be vaccinated against rabies, and you may need to show a rabies certificate;
- if you move or change vets, a complete record helps your new vet give the right care;
- if your cat gets sick or lost, accurate information about its health and identification can make a big difference;
- if you ever do need to travel abroad, you’ll need these details for the official documents.
Your cat’s records usually include:
- vaccinations: the date, the vaccine name and batch number, when the next dose is due and the vet who gave it;
- deworming: the date and the product used;
- flea and tick treatments: the date and the product;
- surgery: for example, the date your cat was spayed or neutered;
- tests and diagnostics, such as blood tests and FeLV/FIV tests;
- microchip details: the number, the date it was implanted and the registry where it’s registered;
- breeding information, for breeding cats.
Your cat’s details are recorded too: its name, date of birth, sex, breed, coat color and markings, and, for pedigree cats, its registration with a cat association such as CFA, TICA or GCCF. Your name and contact details, and your vet’s, are included as well. In short, your cat’s health record is like your own medical file at the doctor’s office.
Keep a copy of your cat’s records at home, and a photo of them on your phone, in case of emergencies. Ask your vet for a copy of the vaccination certificate after each vaccination.
How Do You Get Your Cat’s Records?
Your vet will start your cat’s record at its first visit, usually for its first vaccinations. If you adopted your cat from a shelter or bought it from a breeder, ask for its vaccination and health records, and bring them to your vet. Many clinics also offer an online portal or app where you can see your cat’s records and get reminders when vaccinations are due.
Traveling Abroad with Your Cat
If you’re planning to take your cat abroad, it will need official documents. The rules depend on the country you’re traveling from and to, and they change from time to time, so always check the latest requirements well in advance, ideally several months before you go.
Traveling from the UK
Pet passports issued in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) can no longer be used to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. Instead, cats need an animal health certificate (AHC). In general, your cat needs:
- an ISO-compatible microchip, implanted before or at the same time as its rabies vaccination;
- a rabies vaccination, given at least 21 days before travel (your cat must be at least 12 weeks old to be vaccinated);
- an animal health certificate, issued by an “official veterinarian” no more than 10 days before you travel to the EU;
- for some countries, such as Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway, a tapeworm treatment before entry. This is a requirement for dogs, but check the rules for cats.
An AHC is valid for one trip into the EU, onward travel within the EU for four months and re-entry to Great Britain within four months. An existing EU pet passport (issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland) can still be used to travel to and from Great Britain. Check gov.uk for the latest rules before you travel.
Traveling from the US
For international travel from the US, your cat will usually need an international health certificate, completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The requirements, such as a microchip, rabies vaccination, blood tests or parasite treatments, depend on the destination country. The USDA APHIS Pet Travel website lists the rules for each country.
Within the US, traveling between most states with a cat is straightforward, but you may need a rabies certificate and, for air travel, a health certificate issued within a certain number of days before the flight. Hawaii has particularly strict rules to keep it rabies-free. Airlines have their own requirements too, so check with them in advance.
Coming Back and Moving Countries
If you’re moving abroad with your cat or bringing it back home, the rules for entering the destination country apply. Some countries require a waiting period after a rabies blood test, or a period of quarantine. Plan as early as possible, especially for countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan, which have strict rules.
Costs
- Vaccination records: usually included in the cost of your cat’s vet visits.
- UK animal health certificate: usually about £100–250, depending on the practice, plus the cost of any vaccinations or treatments needed.
- US international health certificate: the vet’s fee is often about $100–300 or more, plus the USDA endorsement fee and any tests the destination country requires.
