If you keep a kosher home, does your dog or cat have to eat kosher pet food too? The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no.
“Pets aren’t commanded to keep kosher—only humans are,” explains Rabbi Jason Miller, director of Kosher Michigan, a kosher certification agency in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
But even though Jewish law only applies to humans, there are certain non-kosher foods that Jewish people are not allowed to derive a benefit from. And that’s where kosher pet food comes in. We spoke to several rabbis to get clarity on what the rules are and put together a short list of kosher cat food and kosher dog food brands to buy if you keep a kosher home.
What Are The Rules on Feeding Kosher Pet Food
Again, your pets don’t need actual kosher food in the same way you do, notes Rabbi Zvi Goldberg, a kashrus administrator for over 20 years at Star-K Kosher Certification in Baltimore, Maryland. “Rather, pet owners who keep kosher are restricted from feeding certain types of food to their pets.”
There are two restrictions, according to Rabbi Goldberg:
- First, you can’t feed your pet foods that mix milk and cooked kosher meat, including goat, sheep, lamb and beef. If the food contains dairy or even whey, a byproduct of milk, as well as the meat, then it’s off limits for your pet. This applies all year long.
- The second applies specifically at Passover, the 8-day Jewish holiday in the spring that commemorates the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. During Passover, you can’t feed your pet chametz. Chametz essentially is leavened grains—including rye, barley, wheat, oats and spelt—and foods that have one or more of these grains, including pet food.
The reason these foods are restricted is that, according to Jewish law, Jewish people can’t derive benefit from chametz (or even have it in their house) during Passover nor can they benefit from dairy-and-meat mixtures during any time of the year. And yes, feeding your pet these foods is considered a benefit and is therefore not permitted.
“So it’s not because the pet needs to keep kosher, but because you're deriving benefit from it if you feed them to your pet,” explains says Rabbi Yosef Landa, the rabbinic coordinator of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, a kosher certification agency in Chicago, Illinois. “It’s the owner, the kosher-observant individual, who is violating the kosher rules by deriving benefit from the non-kosher pet food.”
What Is Considered Kosher Pet Food
As explained above, kosher dog and kosher cat food are essentially grain-free foods (at least during Passover) that don’t mix dairy and meat from cows, goats, sheep or lambs.
Not sure if a certain pet food qualifies as kosher? Here are some ways to find out:
- Look over the ingredients of your regular pet food brand. If it contains dairy (or whey) and any of the aforementioned meats, or—if it’s Passover—one of the chametz grains, skip it. Not sure about certain ingredients? Call a kosher certifying agency (like the ones mentioned in this article) to find out, suggests Rabbi Landa. “That’s what a lot of people do,” he adds.
- Look for a seal from a kosher certifying agency, which approve pet (and human) foods as kosher. If the pet food doesn’t have a seal, it will have a letter from the kosher certifying agency that you can request, says Rabbi Miller. Manufacturers may even post the letter on their website.
- Some certifying agencies, like Star-K, keep a list of kosher dog and kosher cat foods (as well as for other pets, including fish and rabbits). You can find Star-K’s list by going to the site’s Passover page, Rabbi Goldberg says.
Kosher Pet Food and Treats for Dogs and Cats
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Good stuff!
I've tried two flavors of the Evanger's canned dog food and I'm very happy with it. More importantly, the dogs love it! I use it as a topper on kibble. The stuff looks and smells like real, healthy, food.
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Finally found a safe food!
I have a 12.5 yr old 4.2# Yorkie with 38 confirmed allergies. After 3 yrs of searching I found it!!! I love that he gets all the nutritional needs met AND NO allergic reactions. I love Evangers food and was using their pure rabbit and anding 3 powdered supplements to give most nutritional needs. I have spent hundreds of hours reading ingredients and contacting companies. Sticking with premium food from Evanger’s!
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My girl loves this food
I knew Evangers is a great brand, my dog loves the beef and bacon and the lamb and rice, but I was hesitant to try the duck due to her allergy to chicken. But all is good in doggy dinner land; she loves this and has no allergic reaction.
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awesome will buy again
Had to find a wet food without chicken or fish for my one cat. NOT easy. This delivers and BOTH cats LOVE it. My other cat will try and get to it over her other good. Spendy but oh well
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Best duck pate product available
I have a Siamese cat with IBD. Over the course of the years since diagnosed, I have eliminated almost all proteins that he can't eat and have found duck to be the absolute best for him. In trying many brands of duck pate, they have all been found to contain a high amount of bone fragments that he can't digest, making them all inedible for him despite seemingly good ingredients otherwise. It was recommended that I try this brand after the product he had been eating for 2 years was suddenly discontinued and I was desperately looking for a replacement. This is it! It's not just a food he loves. It's a food that makes him thrive and is keeping...
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Cat with food sensitivies loves this
I have a (mostly) siamese kitten who seems to be reacting to chicken (who knew?), fish and peas...and they are in everything! Thank goodness I found this, she loves it and I love the limited clean ingredients.
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Good on a Cracker
The dogs love this stuff we add a spoon full with their dry food at each meal. It is a very basic protein and it prob could go on a cracker (I know they would eat it that way if they could)
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Against the Grain Salmon
I love this and my pup does too. No added anything - just salmon. She gets this once a week on top of her kibble.
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great product.
I think this is great dog food. The dogs love it. I love the fact that it is just salmon and no added ingredients.
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Miss Kitty Loves It
My Kitty tried to open the bag when I unpacked it. I have to keep this food in a cooler!
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Healthy Food
My 5 cats turned up their noses at first, I sprinkled a powder on it and they were all in. I feel good about giving them a healthy diet.
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Merrick Dry food
Our 3 kitties seem to love this food. They gobbled down quickly the first time we gave it to them. It however has a lot of powdered food that we sift out, otherwise it builds up in the little cup we use to fill their bowls. We mixed it with the American Journey Chicken dry food.
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Great snack!
My doodle rescue, Scout, ate everything for a year and a half and then, suddenly, decided to be a diva. Oh, he'd take the treat and, then, just drop it on the floor for the others to get. The boy who chunked up turned into the pickiest eater in the last few weeks. Not with these, though! He LOVES them! He loves the blueberry, cranberry, and the pumpkin.
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Are you sure these are for dogs?
these smell like those little teddy grahams that you get for the kids. But I think they actually smell better since they are blueberry. The dog loves them and I have a hard time not wanting to try one.!
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Dogs Love These
My dogs get very excited to have these (and the banana pumpkin ones also). They are healthy and contain no animal proteins as my Shepherd has animal protein allergies. These will be staples in the "treat cupboard" from now on.
Read More
- The Drama-Free Way to Switching Your Dog or Cat to a New Food
- Puppy Feeding Guide: How Much to Feed a Puppy & More
- Do You Know How Much to Feed a Kitten? The Ultimate Guide to Kitten Food Portions
- So Many Options When It Comes to Feeding Fido. Which Is the Best Dog Food for Them?
- Hanukkah With Dogs and Cats: A Guide to Celebrating Safely With Your Pets
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