Medical treatment for animals on Shabbat

Question

Is it prohibited to administer medication to an animal on Shabbat, specifically when the medication is not necessary? The question pertains solely to the prohibition of giving medications on Shabbat.

Answer

There is no prohibition of giving medication to an animal on Shabbat, or of performing any other medical action that is not excessive exertion or forbidden labor on Shabbat. This is unlike a human, who is forbidden to take medication for minor discomfort, unless he’s classified as being ill.

Source

Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim, Chapter 332, §3).

Comments

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