General

The dog or cat must be identified by means of a microchip and must have a European passport.

Vaccinations

The dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination must be given at least 21 days before departure, and must be repeated within the validity period. A vaccination after this period is considered a first vaccination and is only valid again after 21 days.

A puppy/kitten must be at least 12 weeks old when receiving its first rabies vaccination, which means they can only cross the border from the age of 15 weeks.

Deworming

An anti-Echinococcus treatment is mandatory for all dogs, including puppies, to enter Norway. This treatment is not required for cats. The treatment must be administered by a veterinarian using medicine containing praziquantel or similar active substances.

As a main rule, the treatment must be administered 24 to 120 hours (1-5 days) before entering Ireland.

Transportation

The dog or cat must not interfere with the driver and must be protected against sudden movements or in case of an accident. This can be achieved through a securely fastened car crate, a special harness attached to the seat belt, or a closed luggage compartment with a safety net or barrier.

Leash requirement

By law, a dog must always be under control when outside its own property. This is especially true for greyhounds: they must be kept on a strong leash in public areas and may only be walked with a maximum of four at a time.

Municipalities are also allowed to make their own rules about where dogs may or may not be walked and whether they must be kept on a leash, with special exceptions for guide dogs. That is why it is wise to always check the local rules.

Exceptions for specific breeds

The following breeds of dogs are considered "restricted breeds" in Ireland: American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Ban Dog, and crosses of the above breeds.

These dogs are allowed into Ireland but must meet the following requirements: They must be kept on a strong lead no longer than 2 metres in length at all times, be muzzled in public places and be under the control of a person over the age of 16 who is physically capable of controlling the dog.

Traveling with more than 5 animals

When traveling with more than five animals, they must undergo a clinical examination, and their passport must include an additional certificate issued by the official veterinarian of the country of departure. The animals will then be subject to commercial transportation regulations.

The non-commercial transportation rules still apply when transporting more than five animals for participation in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or training, as long as the animals are older than 6 months and the owner can provide written proof of participation.