The Servicio Nacional de Calidad y Salud Animal (SENACSA) is the competent Paraguayan authority for importing pets. Its rules are precise regarding vaccinations, timelines, and identification, but they vary with regulatory changes: always check the current version at senacsa.gov.py before booking a flight. This guide details the complete procedure for a dog or cat, from pre-departure preparation to arrival in Paraguay.
At a glance
Key points to remember
- •Only domestic dogs and cats, maximum 5 per traveler, no commercial procedure
- •Mandatory rabies vaccine: 21-day waiting period after primary vaccination, minimum age 3 months
- •Mandatory ISO microchip, clinical inspection within 10 days before arrival
- •Transport in cabin or hold depending on weight, breed, and airline policy
Which animals are concerned, and in what number
Only domestic canines and felines are considered pets by SENACSA. The number is limited to 5 animals maximum per traveler: beyond that, the shipment is reclassified as commercial import, with a completely different and heavier procedure. This limit of 5 applies per traveler, meaning a couple can theoretically import up to 10 animals, but in practice SENACSA may reclassify the whole shipment as commercial if the number is manifestly excessive for personal use.
NACs (new companion animals such as rodents, reptiles, or birds) are not covered by this simplified procedure. Their import depends on different sectoral regulations that must be verified directly with SENACSA. If you plan to import an exotic animal, prepare for a notably more complex application, with additional health certificates and veterinary checks on arrival.
| Brachycephalic breeds often rejected in the hold | ||
|---|---|---|
| French Bulldog | Rejected in hold by Air France, Iberia, American Airlines | Cabin if weight < 8 kg |
| English Bulldog | Rejected in hold by most airlines | Cabin if weight < 8 kg, otherwise impossible |
| Pug | Rejected in hold by KLM, Air France, Lufthansa | Cabin if weight < 8 kg |
| Persian, Exotic Shorthair | Rejected in hold by some airlines | Check with the airline |
| Chihuahua | Accepted in cabin by almost all airlines if weight < 8 kg | Cabin recommended |
Rabies vaccination: the deadline not to miss
Rabies vaccination is the key piece of the application. Without it, SENACSA refuses entry to the territory. The 21-day waiting period after primary vaccination is a legal minimum calculated from the day of the injection. If your animal already has an up-to-date booster, this waiting period does not apply, provided the vaccine coverage has never been interrupted.
I insist on this point because it is the most frequent reason for rejection on arrival. SENACSA systematically checks vaccination dates at the time of inspection. If the 21-day waiting period is not respected, the animal may be quarantined or rejected at the border. In that case, repatriation or quarantine costs are borne by the owner and can reach several hundred euros. The rule is simple: allow a full month between vaccination and departure, and you will be safe.
| Mandatory and recommended vaccination schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rabies vaccine (mandatory) | Primary vaccination from 3 months | Wait 21 days before export |
| Rabies booster (mandatory) | Annual | Valid immediately if up to date |
| CHPPiL vaccine (dog, recommended) | 8-12 weeks then booster | Recommended but not required by SENACSA |
| Typhus/leukosis vaccine (cat, recommended) | 8-12 weeks then booster | Recommended for animal protection |
| Internal parasite treatment (mandatory) | 15 days before departure | Antiparasitic treatment required by SENACSA |
| External parasite treatment (mandatory) | 15 days before departure | Flea and tick treatment required |
Identification, clinical exam, and antiparasitics
The microchip is mandatory and must comply with ISO 11784 or 11785 standards. The veterinarian placing the microchip must ensure it is readable by a universal scanner, otherwise the identification may be rejected by SENACSA. If your animal already has a non-ISO microchip, it will need to be replaced before starting the procedures.
- 1Microchip compliant with ISO standards, readable by a universal scanner: mandatory
- 2Clinical inspection by a veterinarian within 10 days before arrival in Paraguay
- 3Internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 15 days before departure
- 4Clinical inspection and vaccination certificate downloaded from the SENACSA website and completed on a computer
The 10-day clinical inspection is a point often underestimated: it must be done just before departure and the certificate must be issued by a veterinarian authorized by the competent authorities of the departure country. If leaving from France, a regular practicing veterinarian can issue this certificate, but they must be authorized by the Direction départementale de la protection des populations (DDPP).
Antiparasitic treatment costs vary by country, but in Paraguay, once there, dewormers and external antiparasitics are available without prescription at veterinary pharmacies and cost around 30,000 to 60,000 Gs (3.50 to 7 EUR). If coming from France, I recommend doing the treatments with your veterinarian before departure: the certificates will then comply with SENACSA requirements and you will avoid a treatment gap on arrival that could complicate a possible inspection.
Documents to prepare before boarding
The document file is where I have seen the most expatriates stumble. A missing or incorrectly completed document can delay boarding or, worse, have the animal rejected on arrival. The secret is to anticipate and verify each document several weeks before departure.
- 1International veterinary certificate (CVI), issued by an authorized veterinarian in the departure country
- 2International zoosanitary certificate from the country of origin
- 3Complete health record with vaccination history
- 4Completed SENACSA clinical inspection and vaccination certificate
I recommend keeping a digital copy of each document in a dedicated folder, accessible from a phone or tablet. In case of loss of an original during travel, a digital copy allows you to prove the document existed and facilitates procedures with Paraguayan authorities.
Air transport: cabin or hold conditions
Transport conditions (in cabin or climate-controlled hold) depend on each airline's policy, the animal's weight, and the breed (certain brachycephalic breeds are rejected in the hold by many airlines for respiratory reasons). Consult the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), which are the industry reference, and check your airline's specific policy before booking.
For animals in cabin, the maximum authorized weight is usually 8 kg, including carrier. Beyond that, the animal travels in the hold. Brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, or Persians are often rejected in the hold by airlines, even with an adapted carrier. In that case, you should favor an airline that accepts them in cabin or has specially adapted pressurized holds.
Recommended veterinarians in Asunción
Once you arrive in Paraguay, you will need a local veterinarian for your animal's follow-up (vaccine boosters, various certificates, routine care). Asunción has several quality veterinary clinics, particularly around the Villa Morra neighborhood and the city center. Most veterinarians speak basic English, but having a Spanish translator for technical terms can facilitate communication.
- 1Villa Morra area clinics: several recognized practices, accessible in English, modern equipment
- 2Veterinaria Santa Teresita (center): well-established clinic, recognized for pet care
- 3Veterinary hospital of the National University of Asunción: economical option, ideal for routine follow-ups
- 4Itinerant veterinarians in the Chaco: scarce, bring your own medications and treatments if living in a remote area
Veterinary fees in Paraguay are significantly lower than European fees. A basic consultation costs between 50,000 and 100,000 Gs (about 6 to 12 €). Vaccinations and lab tests are also affordable. I advise finding a clinic in the first few weeks, before you need it urgently.
Once the animal arrives in Paraguay, the procedure does not end there. SENACSA may carry out an inspection on arrival to verify the conformity of the documents with the animal presented. In some cases, an inspector may visit your home in the following days for a follow-up check. Vaccine boosters must be administered by a local veterinarian authorized by SENACSA to stay in compliance. If you plan to travel with your animal within MERCOSUR later, cross-border health certificates have their own rules, different from the initial import. Check with your veterinarian in Asunción before each trip.
Last updated:
Sources
- SENACSA: Viajar con Mascotas (2026)
- IATA: Live Animals Regulations (2025)
- Dirección General de Migraciones: Portal oficial (2026)
- France Diplomatie: Consejos a los viajeros Paraguay (2025)
- Dirección Nacional de Aduanas: Portal oficial (2025)
- OMS: Perfil de salud de Paraguay (2024)
- Budget Your Trip: Costos de viaje en Paraguay (2024)
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