Kosher Pet Food: What to Know and What Brands to Buy

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.

A bowl of grain-free, human-grade pet food beside fresh vegetables and herbs, styled for clarity and natural appeal

“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 applies only to people, there are certain non-kosher foods that observant Jews are not allowed to derive benefit from. That’s where kosher pet food comes in. We spoke with several rabbis to clarify the rules—and compiled a practical list of trusted kosher-certified cat and dog foods available through furpetvo.com.

What Are the Rules on Feeding Kosher Pet Food?

Your pets don’t need “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 key restrictions:

  • Dairy-and-meat mixtures year-round: You cannot feed your pet foods that combine milk (or dairy derivatives like whey) with cooked kosher meat—including beef, goat, lamb, or sheep. This prohibition applies at all times—not just during holidays.
  • Chametz during Passover: During the eight-day spring holiday of Passover—which commemorates the Jewish people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt—you may not feed your pet chametz. Chametz refers to leavened grains: wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt—as well as any pet food containing them or their derivatives.

These restrictions exist because Jewish law prohibits deriving benefit from chametz during Passover—or from dairy-and-meat mixtures at any time. Feeding such foods to your pet is considered deriving benefit, and therefore not permitted.

“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 Rabbi Yosef Landa, rabbinic coordinator of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. “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 cat food must be free of prohibited combinations: no dairy + kosher meat, and—especially during Passover—no chametz grains.

Not sure whether a particular pet food qualifies? Here’s how to find out:

  1. Review the ingredients carefully. If the food contains dairy (or whey) alongside beef, lamb, goat, or sheep—or includes any chametz grain (wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt) during Passover—avoid it. When in doubt about an ingredient, contact a kosher certifying agency directly. “That’s what a lot of people do,” says Rabbi Landa.
  2. Look for a recognized kosher certification seal. Reputable agencies like Star-K, Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Kosher Michigan approve both human and pet foods. If a product doesn’t display a visible seal, manufacturers often provide a kosher letter of certification—available upon request or posted on their website.
  3. Consult agency-published lists. Some organizations, like Star-K, maintain updated directories of kosher-certified pet foods—including options for dogs, cats, fish, and rabbits. These lists are typically accessible via the agency’s Passover resources page.
A curated selection of kosher-certified dry and wet pet foods, treats, and packaging with clear certification symbols visible

Kosher Pet Food and Treats for Dogs and Cats

The following products meet kosher standards and are available through furpetvo.com:

  • FurPetVo Super Premium Duck & Sweet Potato Dinner Canned Dog Food — Grain-free, dairy-free, and certified kosher for year-round use. Available in 12.5-oz cans (case of 12).
  • FurPetVo Super Premium Duck Dinner Grain-Free Canned Cat Food — Made without dairy, grains, or prohibited meats. Served in 5.5-oz cans (case of 24).
  • FurPetVo Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food — A balanced, grain-free formula approved for kosher households. Sold in 4-lb bags.
  • FurPetVo Organic Pumpkin Oven-Baked Dog Treats — Simple, plant-based snacks made without chametz or dairy-meat combinations. Packaged in 14-oz resealable bags.

With these thoughtfully formulated options, your pet can enjoy nutritious meals and treats all year—and especially during Passover—while you maintain the integrity of your kosher home with confidence.