Bringing Pets to Cambodia

Moving to Cambodia with a pet is entirely manageable. Unlike some countries in the region, Cambodia imposes no quarantine requirement — provided you arrive with the correct paperwork. The process involves some advance preparation, but families regularly bring dogs and cats to Cambodia without problems.

The key authority is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), which oversees animal imports. You will need a MAFF import permit obtained in advance, and your pet will be briefly inspected by MAFF officers at Phnom Penh International Airport on arrival.

Once settled, Cambodia offers a reasonably good standard of veterinary care in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, though options are limited in smaller towns. The climate is warm year-round, which means parasite prevention (flea, tick, heartworm) needs to be maintained consistently — a factor to plan for.

The following requirements apply to dogs and cats entering Cambodia:

Not all airlines allow pets to Cambodia, and policies change regularly. Always confirm directly with your airline well in advance. The most commonly used options:

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) with a pet:

1. Customs declaration: Declare your pet at the customs desk as you would any animal or agricultural product.
2. MAFF inspection: Present your MAFF import permit, health certificate, vaccination records, and microchip documentation to the MAFF officer. If all documents are in order, this inspection is typically completed in 10–20 minutes.
3. Microchip scan: The officer will scan your pet's microchip to verify it matches the documentation.
4. Exit: Once cleared, you may exit the arrivals hall with your pet. No quarantine facility is involved for correctly documented animals.

If documentation is incomplete, MAFF has the authority to quarantine your pet at your expense until the matter is resolved. This can take days or weeks and is expensive — thorough preparation prevents this scenario entirely.

Phnom Penh has a growing number of good veterinary clinics catering to the expat community. Most offer routine care, vaccinations, dental procedures, surgery, and emergency services.

Options are more limited in Siem Reap, but adequate for routine care. For complex procedures or emergencies, traveling to Phnom Penh or Bangkok may be necessary.

• Angkor Animal Hospital: The most established clinic in Siem Reap; handles vaccinations, basic surgery, and routine care
• Vet Center Siem Reap: Good for routine consultations and vaccinations; English spoken

Cambodia's tropical climate means year-round parasite prevention is essential. Annual vaccinations should be kept current:

For dogs:

• Rabies (annual)
• DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza (annual)
• Kennel cough / Bordetella (annual; important if using boarding facilities)
• Leptospirosis (recommended; prevalent in Cambodia's rainy season flooding)

For cats:

• Rabies (annual)
• FVRCP — feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (annual)

Parasite prevention (year-round):

• Flea and tick treatment: Bravecto, Nexgard, Frontline — all available at Phnom Penh vets
• Heartworm prevention: Monthly Heartgard or similar; mosquitoes are year-round in Cambodia
• Intestinal deworming: Every 3 months recommended

Premium pet food brands are available in Phnom Penh but less so in smaller cities. Major supermarkets and pet stores in Phnom Penh stock:

• Royal Canin — widely available at Lucky Supermarket, Makro, and pet stores
• Hill's Science Diet — available at larger supermarkets and vet clinics
• Taste of the Wild — available at some specialty pet stores
• Local brands — affordable but variable quality

Lazada Cambodia delivers nationwide and stocks a wide range of pet food, toys, and accessories. For specialty or prescription diets, ordering through Lazada or bringing supplies from Bangkok is often the most reliable option.

In Siem Reap, selection is more limited. Stock up in Phnom Penh before traveling, or ship via Lazada.

Exporting a pet from Cambodia is generally straightforward on Cambodia's side, but destination country requirements vary dramatically. You will need:

• Health certificate from a licensed Cambodian vet (issued within 10 days of travel)
• MAFF export permit
• Up-to-date vaccinations
• Compliance with destination country requirements

High-scrutiny destinations: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, and the UK have strict rabies-free country requirements. These countries typically require a rabies antibody titer test (RNATT), a waiting period of 180+ days post-test, and specific microchipping standards. If you plan to take your pet to any of these countries, begin the process at least 12 months in advance.

Cambodia has a large population of stray and abandoned animals. Several organizations do excellent rescue work and offer well-cared-for animals for adoption:

• Animal Rescue Cambodia (ARC): Phnom Penh-based; dogs and cats; full vaccinations, microchip, and desexing included in adoption fee ($40–80)
• PPAWS (Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society): Operated by volunteers; adoption events; dogs and cats; rehabilitation of street animals
• JAA Animal Care: Siem Reap; affiliated with international programs; strong vaccination protocols

Animals from reputable rescue organizations come vaccinated, microchipped, and often desexed. Adoption fees are modest and go directly toward rescue operations. Social media groups like "Adopt Don't Shop Cambodia" on Facebook list animals looking for homes.

Most Cambodian apartment buildings allow pets, though some require a refundable pet deposit ($100–300). Always declare that you have a pet when negotiating your lease — hiding it risks deposit forfeiture.

Airbnb listings in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap increasingly filter for pet-friendly options, and short-term serviced apartments also often accommodate pets with advance notice.

Most hotels do not allow pets, but guesthouses and boutique properties in Kampot, Kep, and rural areas tend to be more accommodating, especially for well-behaved dogs.

• Heat stress: Cambodia is hot year-round. Ensure pets have shade, water, and air conditioning access. Brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats) are especially vulnerable.
• Use bottled or filtered water: Tap water is not safe for humans or pets. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking bowls.
• Snake awareness: In rural areas and gardens, king cobras, monocled cobras, and Malayan kraits are present. Keep dogs on leads in tall grass or forested areas.
• Night safety: Dogs should not roam unsupervised at night in cities — motorcycles and tuk-tuks pose a collision risk.
• Boarding: Several pet boarding facilities exist in Phnom Penh; Animal Clinic Cambodia and UK Vet Clinic both offer boarding services.
• Facebook groups: "Expat Pets Cambodia" and "Phnom Penh Pets" are active communities for vet recommendations, lost pets, and pet product availability.