Pet Care - Feeding One's Animals

One must always feed one's animals before feeding oneself.[1] According to some authorities this actually a biblical requirement.[2] This is based on the fact that the Torah first says: "I will give you vegetation in your field for your animals" and only afterwards does it say "and you will eat and be satisfied."[3] Other authorities dismiss such a literal reading of the verses and maintain that feeding one's animals first is not truly a requirement, but simply a meritorious practice.[4] Either way, one should endeavor to do so whenever possible. It applies to all animals that one is responsible for whether they live in the home or in the yard.[5]Even those who merely maintain a fish aquarium should be careful to observe this practice.[6]

According to some authorities, one is only required to feed one's animals first when one sits down to eat a meal. When merely having a snack, however, there is no requirement to feed one's animal first,[7] though some authorities disagree and insist that it applies even in this case.[8] One whose animals eat on a set schedule is permitted to eat at any time without having to feed them first.[9] There is also an opinion that the requirement to feed one's animals first only applies to larger farm-type animals. According to this approach, there is no true requirement to feed one's household pets before one eats.[10] It goes without saying that if one's animals are not interested in eating at a time when one desires to eat, then there is no obligation to feed them.[11] One should not feed animals food that is perfectly fit for human consumption.[12] However, if one has no other food available to give one's animals then it is permissible to do so.[13] So too, small amounts of food such as crumbs or food which would otherwise go to waste may be fed to an animal.[14]

On the other hand, it is always permitted to drink before providing drink for one's animals.[15] This is derived from the conduct of Rivka. When offering Eliezer and his animals a drink, Rivka first ensures that Eliezer has his fill and only then proceeds to give his animals to drink, as well.[16] Although there are a number of authorities who rule that the requirement to feed one's animals first applies to drinking as well,[17] the halacha is not in accordance with this view. If, however, one notices that his animals are exceptionally thirsty, then they should indeed be given to drink first.[18]

There are a number of reasons for the distinction between eating before one's animals and drinking. Among them is that thirst is a more painful sensation than hunger and therefore the rabbis decided not to extend the requirement to provide for one's animals in a situation of human thirst.[19] Furthermore, taking a drink to relieve one's thirst is a relatively quick procedure. Eating, however, and certainly sitting down to a meal, is often an activity that can extend for quite some time, leading to the concern that one might accidentally forget to feed one's animals altogether. One is not likely to forget to feed one's animals in the short amount of time it takes to have a drink.[20]

Finally, it is noted that one must often provide animals with large quantities of liquids making the process of providing drink for one's animals a lengthy one, while it takes a very short amount of time to quench one's own thirst. Similarly, providing food for one's animal is usually easy and quick, generally consisting of a single, readily available item. Preparing a meal, however, is often a time consuming endeavor.[21] Closely related to this is the view that one should always feed one's children before one feeds oneself.[22]

[1] Berachot 40a; Gittin 62a.

[2] Maharam Mirottenberg 302; Magen Avraham 271:12; Taz, OC 167:7.

[3] Devarim 11:15.

[4] Rambam, Hilchot Avadim 9:8.

[5] Sheilat Yaavetz 1:17.

[6] Ateret Paz Y.D. 2:5; B'tzel Hachachma 5:35; Be’er Moshe 2:28; Shevet Hakehati 2:149.

[7] Taz, OC 167:7.

[8] Magen Avraham 167:18.

[9] Kaf Hachaim, OC 167:52.

[10] Sheilat Yaavetz 1:17.

[11] Piskei Teshuvot 167:15.

[12] Taanit 20a; Magen Avraham 171:1; Mishna Berura 171:22; Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 171:1.

[13] Machatzit Hashekel 171; Shaar Hatziun 171:13. See also Elya Rabba 171:1; Ketav Sofer, OC 33.

[14] Beit Baruch 45:35; Chayei Adam 45:5.

[15] Sefer Chassidim 531; Mishna Berura 167:40.

[16] Bereishit 24:19.

[17] Ketav Sofer, OC 32.

[18] Shulchan Hatahor 167.

[19] Har Tzvi, OC 90; Beit David 80.

[20] Ibid.

[21] Maaleh Ha'omer, Chayei Sara.

[22] Rivevot Ephraim 6:56,92.