My dog has a backpack that I put on him to weigh him down to make the walks harder for him. This allows me to take him out for a shorter amount of time, but still give him the exercise he needs.
In the backpack there are two water bottles which I don’t use, and a few spare bags to pick up poop – but I rarely use them – I usually have enough tied to the leash.
The backpack comes apart and the parts that contain the pockets can be removed.
Is if permissible for me to put the backpack on my dog on shabbos?
Answer:
This is not permitted in a place where there is no eruv.
Best wishes.
Sources:
The general rule is that it is permitted to take out an animal with a load only when the load is for the good of the animal, and it is something that is generally used for this purpose. The rationale is that in these cases the becomes “part of the animal itself” (like a plaster on a wound), and is therefore not considered carrying.
Therefore, it is permitted to give an animal a blanket. Poskim discuss whether it is permitted to place a collar with an identification tag on, and many permit this because it is for the protection of the animal, and this it is normal for an animal to wear the collar.
This is not the case for the backpack, in which you place different items to weigh it down. Although it is being done for the benefit of the animal, it is not common or normal to use water bottles etc. for the animal’s benefit, so that this won’t be permitted on Shabbos.
See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 305; see Shemiras Shabbos 27:9 and footnote.
