You can avoid the pain of leaving your dear pets at home while traveling to Mexico only if you are aware of the relevant rules. For crossing over the border to Mexico with your pet dogs, you will need two documents throughout your journey: an International Certificate of Good Health (Form 77-043) issued by a licensed vet who has examined your pet within 10 days of transport, and proof of vaccination against rabies and distemper, administered at least 15 days (but not exceeding 12 months) before your pet enters Mexico. You are also required to bring proof of pet ownership, and evidence that your dog has been vaccinated for Hepatitis, PIP and Leptospirosis within the last calendar year. Proof of vaccinations is required also if you travel with your cat. Apart from inoculation against rabies and distemper, cats entering Mexico should also be vaccinated for panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus. You will have to carry an International Certificate of Good Health plus proof of these vaccinations (and proof of ownership) for entrance into Mexico and re-entry to the US with a cat. Although you may not need to show your paperwork if you are traveling within 30 miles of the US / Mexico border, it is wise to carry the paperwork to be on the safe side.

In Mexico, there are a lot of disease carrying stray animals roam freely throughout towns and villages. It will therefore be a highly sensible decision if you try to keep your dog on its leash and away from strays at all times. You should also consider the Mexican weather before you bring your pet along with you. As Mexico can be very warm in certain parts, it is better to leave pets, particularly the older ones, who prefer to be quiet and reclusive at home in their familiar surroundings.

You won't face much problem in buying food for your pets if you are going to one of Mexico's larger cities, as you will be able to find large supermarket chains which will carry dry dog and cat food. You can also have some canned pet foods for dogs and cans of regular tuna fish for cats. However, if you are planning a camping trip, or going to travel throughout smaller towns and villages, you must carry a sufficient amount of dog food from home. You may also buy bottled water for your pet to drink while you are traveling, to prevent them from falling sick. If you have the required paperwork with you, your pets will not be placed in quarantine when entering Mexico. But their being quarantined cannot be ruled out on their way back, as all domestic pets once taken out of the US are subject to the same requirements upon returning as pets entering the US for the first time.

And if you want to put up in a hotel with your pets, you won't have any problem in Mexico. There are some fantastic websites devoted to finding hotels in Mexico that will accept pets. You can gather a lot of information about pet-friendly hotels in various parts of mainland Mexico including Cozumel, Guadalajara, Merida, Monterrey-Norte and Toluca.