Pets in Thailand
Everything you need for a happy, healthy life with your dog or cat in Thailand — from the day they land to the day you take them home.
Find a vet
24-hour animal hospitals and trusted vets in six cities.
Find a vet →
Pet services
Groomers, pet shops, sitters, dog walkers and trainers.
Pet services →
Pet hotels & boarding
Dog and cat hotels, prices and how to choose.
Hotels & boarding →
Pet-friendly Thailand
Transport, dog parks, malls, beaches and travel.
Pet-friendly places →
Moving pets
Bringing pets to Thailand and taking them home again.
Moving pets →
Pet relocation companies
Verified companies, costs and how to choose.
Relocation companies →
Rescue & adoption
30+ shelters, adopting, and lost or found animals.
Rescue & adoption →
End-of-life care
Caring for an older pet, cremation and grief.
End-of-life care →Wherever you are, start here
Before you arrive
Microchip, vaccines, the Thai import permit and the right flight.
Your first month
A vet, a pet-friendly home, vaccinations and registration.
Everyday life
Grooming, sitters, parks and beaches, and trips away.
Moving on
Export permits and your destination's rules — start early.
Living with a pet in Thailand: what to know first
Pet ownership in Thailand has grown fast, and Bangkok and the main expat areas have excellent animal hospitals, groomers, pet hotels and pet-friendly places. But the rules are different from home:
- Rabies is present — keep vaccinations current and see a doctor after any bite.
- Many condos ban pets, and Bangkok limits how many you can keep by home size.
- Transport is patchy: no pets on the BTS; GrabPet and some trains take them.
- Heat is the everyday danger — walk early or late, and never leave a pet in a car.
- Moving a pet in or out of Thailand takes weeks or months of planning.
Our most useful pet guides
Bringing a dog to ThailandVaccines, permit, flights and arrival.
Bringing a cat to ThailandMicrochip, rabies, permit and flights.
Vet costs in Thailand2026 prices for visits, vaccines and surgery.
Vaccinations & microchipsRabies law, schedules and registration.
Renting with a petCondo rules, pet limits and deposits.
Adopting a dog or catThe process, costs and settling in.
Best places to live with petsSix cities compared for pet owners.
Taking a pet out of ThailandExport permit and destination rules.Reach pet owners new to Thailand
Vets, groomers, pet hotels, pet shops and relocation companies can be listed free in our directories — or become a clearly labelled featured partner.
Pets in Thailand: FAQs
Is Thailand a good place to live with a pet?
Yes, especially in Bangkok and the main expat areas, which have good vets, groomers, pet hotels and pet-friendly places. Heat, rabies, condo pet bans and travel restrictions all need planning.
Can I bring my dog or cat to Thailand?
Yes, with a microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, a Thai import permit and an official health certificate. See our guides to bringing a dog and bringing a cat.
Do pets have to be registered in Thailand?
In Bangkok, dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered with the city from 10 January 2027. Other municipalities may have their own rules.
Where can I find a vet in Thailand?
Our vet directory lists verified 24-hour animal hospitals and clinics in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Koh Samui.
Can I take my pet home when I leave Thailand?
Usually, but some countries need a rabies blood test and months of waiting, and Australia does not accept pets directly from Thailand. Start with our guide to moving pets to and from Thailand.
Where can I adopt a pet in Thailand?
From shelters and foundations such as Soi Dog, PAWS Bangkok and many regional rescue groups. See our shelter directory.
Researched, dated and checked
Last checked 4 November 2026. Every JLIT pet guide is checked against official sources or recent local guides and shows the date it was last checked. Business listings are free; any featured partner is clearly labelled.
