Pets and Jewish law
Question:
How does Jewish law perceive pets? Is there a prohibition against owning a pet (dogs, cats, etc.)? If there’s no prohibition, what are the relevant laws? – Odeliyah
Answer:
There’s no halachic prohibition against having pets. (However, because of kabalistic reasons, some individuals refrain from owning non-kosher pets.)
Please be aware of the following halachic considerations:
1. Animals must be fed before their human masters in order to avoid cruelty to animals.
2. Most halachic authorities maintain that pets are “muktzah” (literally, “separated’; i.e. they may not be moved or handled) on Shabbat. However, some arbiters are more lenient in this regard.
3. During Pesach (Passover), pets must be served kosher-for-Pesach food only.
(Rabbi Shmuel Slotki)
