Pets on Shabbos
Question: Are pets muktzeh on Shabbos and Yom Tov?
Discussion: The Talmud59 states that it is forbidden to move animals on Shabbos. In halachic terms, animals are considered like sticks and stones, which have no permissible Shabbos use and are muktzeh machmas gufo, inherently muktzeh, which may not be moved for any reason. This ruling is quoted by Shulchan Aruch60 and most of the later poskim, and no distinction is drawn between farm animals and households pets; all are considered severe muktzeh. Some poskim expressly include “playful animals” in this prohibition.61
There are, however, other poskim who do distinguish between farm animals and household pets. In their opinion, a pet is considered like a household item, since their purpose is to provide enjoyment for the owner, similar to a toy or a flower vase, and is not classified as muktzeh at all. This is in contrast to farm animals or stray birds which do not provide any permitted use on Shabbos.62 Although it is strongly recommended to follow the majority opinion and not carry or move pets on Shabbos,63 those who are lenient have a halachic authority upon whom to rely.64
Certainly, if the pet is in distress, many poskim are lenient and permit one to move it or carry it.65
All poskim agree that it is permitted to touch (without moving) or feed one’s pets on Shabbos. It is also permitted to hold onto a leash and walk a dog in an area enclosed by an eiruv.66 It is permitted to place a leash on a dog on Shabbos.67
59. See Shabbos 128b.
60. O.C. 308:39
61. See Tosafos, Shabbos 45b, s.v. hacha; Shulchan Aruch ha-Rav 308:78; Da’as Torah, O.C. 308:39; Kaf ha-Chayim 308:235.
62. Minchas Shabbos 88:10, quoting Nezer Yisrael and Halachos Ketanos; Az Nidberu 8:36.
63. Minchas Shabbos, 88:10; Yabia Omer 5:26.
64. Rav S.Z. Auerbach; see Shulchan Shlomo, O.C. 308:74-4; B’tzeil ha-Chochmah 5:33-34.
65. See Mishnah Berurah 305:70 and Chazon Ish, O.C. 52:16.
66. Under certain, very specific conditions, it is even permitted to walk a dog with a leash in a public domain; see O.C. 305:16 and Aruch ha-Shulchan 5.
67. O.C. 305:1, 8, 10.