Yes, your dog can be part of the Seder season without any chametz in the bowl. Finding kosher for Passover dog food is one of the most common questions pet owners ask us, because everyday pet foods often contain wheat, barley, oats or other grains that the Orthodox Union says should not be fed to pets on Pesach. The good news is that Evanger's, a US maker of canned dog and cat food, has recipes endorsed by the cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council) as free of chametz for use during Passover. Below you'll find a quick paw-print cheat sheet based on the OU's pet guidance for dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, birds and small mammals, followed by three Evanger's dog foods from the cRc's current list. We've also included a short guide to what to look for on the label, so you can shop with confidence before Pesach begins. Every product here is for animals only, and none is kosher for human consumption.
🐾 Your Pesach Pet Cheat Sheet
Quick tips from the Orthodox Union's guidance on feeding pets during Passover.
- 🐾 No chametz grains. Pets shouldn't eat wheat, barley, spelt, oats or rye on Pesach.
- 🐾 Watch the hidden chametz. Yeast, malt and bran are common in pet food. Guar gum is fine.
- 🐾 Dogs and cats: go slowly. Ask your vet before making a big diet change, as sudden switches can upset their stomachs.
- 🐾 Start early. Mix regular and Pesach food over one to two weeks beforehand so your pet can adjust.
- 🐾 Reptiles, fish and amphibians can often fast. Many can go a week without food, so skipping meals may be the simplest option.
- 🐾 Frozen foods can work. Frozen foods with no additives other than guar gum are fine for reptiles, fish and amphibians.
- 🐾 Live foods are an option. Some amphibians will eat live foods or well-washed fishing worms.
- 🐾 Rabbits, birds and other small pets eat daily. Plan a menu of leafy greens, fruit and kitniyot. Ashkenazi households may feed kitniyot to pets even though they don't eat it themselves.
- 🐾 Skip avocado and citrus. Don't offer either to small mammals and birds.
- 🐾 Check seeds and kitniyot. Look through seed mixes before Pesach to make sure no grains are mixed in.
🐶 Evanger's Kosher for Passover Dog Foods
Canned dog food from the cRc's 2026 Passover list.
Evanger's is a good starting point for Pesach because its canned recipes are listed with the cRc as free of chametz for animal use. The beef, duck and salmon options above are all on the cRc's current list, which runs through December 31, 2026. Because formulas can change, always read the label on the can before you buy and before you switch your dog over.
🐱 Evanger's Kosher for Passover Cat Foods
Cat dinners from the cRc's 2026 Passover list.
Cats can be just as particular as dogs, so the cRc lists several cat dinners as free of chametz. The sardine and turkey dinners above are both marked for Passover on the cRc's current list, which runs through December 31, 2026. Remember that the same list marks some other Evanger's cat foods as year-round only, so match the exact recipe name on the can to the list before you buy.
🔍 What to Look For
How to choose Passover-friendly pet food.
- 🐾 Check the label for chametz. Avoid wheat, barley, spelt, oats and rye, plus brewer's yeast, malt, pasta and vague terms like flour, gluten, middlings or starch.
- 🐾 Look for a Passover endorsement. The cRc marks chametz-free Evanger's recipes with two asterisks on its list, so match the exact recipe name.
- 🐾 Confirm the year. Lists are reissued, so check that the one you rely on is current.
- 🐾 Change the diet gradually. Blend old and new food over one to two weeks, and talk to your vet first if your pet is sensitive.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Kosher for Passover dog food and pet feeding.
Can my pet eat chametz on Passover?
No. The Orthodox Union says pets should not be fed any of the five grains: wheat, barley, spelt, oats and rye. Yeast, malt and bran are also usually chametz.
Is Evanger's dog food kosher for Passover?
Certain Evanger's recipes are endorsed by the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) as free of chametz for animal consumption on Passover. Not every Evanger's product qualifies, so match the exact recipe to the cRc's current list.
Is kosher for Passover dog food safe for people to eat?
No. These products are kosher for Passover for animal consumption only and are not kosher for human consumption.
How do I switch my dog to Passover food?
Many kashrut agencies suggest mixing regular and Pesach food for one to two weeks before Passover and shifting the ratio gradually. Ask your vet before making major changes, especially for sensitive dogs and cats.
What can I feed fish, reptiles and amphibians on Passover?
Many can go about a week without food, and frozen foods with no additives other than guar gum are fine. Some amphibians will eat live foods or well-washed fishing worms.
What can rabbits, birds and other small pets eat on Passover?
The OU suggests leafy greens, fruit and kitniyot, which pets may eat even in Ashkenazi homes. Avoid avocado and citrus, and check seed mixes for any mixed-in grains.
What should I do with my regular pet food?
Regular pet food containing chametz is generally set aside and included in the sale of chametz. Ask your rabbi how to handle it in your home.
The Kosher Hub is not a Kosher Authority. For any advice please refer to your local Kashrut Authority.
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Understanding Our Kosher Certifications
The Kosher Hub references products certified by recognized kosher authorities, including OU, OK, Star-K, Kof-K, and CRC. Certification symbols and status can change, so always confirm the current kosher status directly on the product packaging or via the certifying agency's own listings before purchasing.