# Stupid question: Pet pigs and Jews/Muslims **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 7, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459 "2008-03-07T17:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/1 "2008-03-07T17:22:00Z")
Many people seem to keep pigs-mostly pot-bellies-as pets. I was wondering if Jews or Muslims could keep them as pets. Or is that prohibited too? ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/2 "2008-03-07T17:25:48Z")
I can’t speak for Muslims, but there’s no prohibition on pet pigs for Jews. Only eating them is forbidden. Keeping a pig for non-consumption purposes is no different than having a dog or a horse. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/3 "2008-03-07T17:36:35Z")
Muslims generally don’t have dogs as house pets but the can have them as working animals so a guard dog would be ok. Pet pigs probably wouldn’t fly. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/4 "2008-03-07T18:18:46Z")
My understanding (I don’t currently have any close Muslim friends) is that the pig is seen as an unclean animal in many ways, not merelt from a “bad to eat” point of view. I seem to recall that some Muslims 9and Jews?) do not even want to “touch” the shadow of a pig. Certainly some of the literature explaining the avoidance of pig that I’ve read exudes a sense of loathing of the animal. Id that is the mindset, it’s difficult to imagine such a person even considering the possibility of a pig as a pet. ---
**Author:** ![Vorpal\_Blade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/9de0a6/32.png) [@Vorpal\_Blade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vorpal_Blade)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/5 "2008-03-07T18:29:11Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] Muslims generally don’t have dogs as house pets but the can have them as working animals so a guard dog would be ok. Pet pigs probably wouldn’t fly. [/QUOTE] Pigs. Fly. Good 'un. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/6 "2008-03-07T18:34:45Z")
Very limited exposure so this is anecdotal as all hell, but a Druze of my acquaintance brings a change of clothes when he visits someone with a dog (not because of the hair, but because they’re unclean) even though the dogs are locked out when we know he’s coming. So from this I deduce that pet pigs are right out. (That was unworthy of GQ, but it’s all I got) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/7 "2008-03-07T18:40:52Z")
I’m going to repeat the point stated earlier - Jews can’t eat pigs, but they are allowed to keep them as pets. There is no problem (so far as I know) using pig parts in medicine. Pig-derived insulin used to keep Jewish diabetics alive is A-OK. No problem with pig shadows, associating with pig farmers, etc. My understanding of Muslim beliefs is that the pig is unclean _in all ways_ and not just for eating. Therefore no touching pigs, touching pig shadows, buying pigs, selling pigs, keeping pet pigs, etc. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/8 "2008-03-07T18:44:56Z")
A muslim girl in Indonesia (where they are much more relaxed on the halal/haram thing than middle-easterners, to the point where they eat shellfish and reptiles) told me that after petting or even brushing up against a dog they have to shower before going to the mosque. From the conversations we have had I think that pigs are considered even dirtier than dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/9 "2008-03-07T19:03:15Z")
[QUOTE=Broomstick] There is no problem (so far as I know) using pig parts in medicine. Pig-derived insulin used to keep Jewish diabetics alive is A-OK. [/QUOTE] There’s no problem using pig parts in medicine if the medicine is used to treat a life-threatening condition. In fact, Jewish law says that, if you have a life-threatening condition and the most effective treatment for it uses pig parts, you are not only allowed to use that treatment, you are _required_ to do so. I think it’s a bit more controversial if a medicine made from pig parts is used to treat a non-life-threatening condition. > [@BMax](#): > > A muslim girl in Indonesia (where they are much more relaxed on the halal/haram thing than middle-easterners, to the point where they eat shellfish and reptiles) I’m not sure the Muslim dietary laws forbid shellfish. [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halal#Kosher_and_Halal) says there’s disagreement among Muslims on whether shellfish are halal or not. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/10 "2008-03-07T20:08:53Z")
Would that include eating pork if one is starving to death, and nothing else is available? (Thanks-I read an article about Hayden Christensen the other day, and it mentioned his two pot-bellies, and it got me to thinking. FWIW, I happen to think pigs are adorable) ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/11 "2008-03-07T20:12:43Z")
Yes. If one is starving to death, he can eat whatever is necessary in order to stay alive. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/12 "2008-03-07T20:52:16Z")
[QUOTE=Anne Neville] I’m not sure the Muslim dietary laws forbid shellfish. [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halal#Kosher_and_Halal) says there’s disagreement among Muslims on whether shellfish are halal or not. [/QUOTE] Yes, there is some disparity on the issue. It appears to be as much a cultural issue as strictly religious. [anecdote] I used to work with several Shia moslems from Iraq who wouldn’t eat any sort of shellfish because they lack fins and scales. They also wouldn’t eat camel; although camels chew their cud, they don’t have a cloven hoof. In some parts of Africa moslems eat camels and in Southeast Asia the moslems will eat shellfish, but not crabs which live both on the land and in the ocean.[/anecdote] But having a pet pig is right out, and dogs have to live outdoors. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/13 "2008-03-07T20:55:17Z")
Just don’t call them Muhammed, or the representatives of the Religion of Peace will murder you. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/14 "2008-03-07T21:01:29Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] Would that include eating pork if one is starving to death, and nothing else is available? [/QUOTE] In Jewish law, there are only three things you are not allowed to do to save a life: commit murder, commit adultery or incest, or worship idols. All other rules go by the wayside in that situation. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/15 "2008-03-07T21:06:45Z")
**Moderator Caution** [QUOTE=Ludovic] Just don’t call them Muhammed, or the representatives of the Religion of Peace will murder you. [/QUOTE] **Ludovic**. I’m not sure why you needed to add this bit of wiseassery in General Questions. Don’t do it again. **samclem** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![BluePitbull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/16 "2008-03-07T21:42:38Z")
Well, in the Veterinary school I am attending, there are at least 3 muslim girls and they have no problem dealing with pigs or dogs. So Isuppose some muslim sects have no problem with handling them. they just don’t eat them. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/17 "2008-03-07T21:45:27Z")
[QUOTE=Anne Neville] In Jewish law, there are only three things you are not allowed to do to save a life: commit murder, commit adultery or incest, or worship idols. All other rules go by the wayside in that situation. [/QUOTE] Murder-I’m assuming that doesn’t include self-defense? (Oh, and check out the ad at the bottom of the thread-how the hell did THAT pop up?) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/18 "2008-03-07T21:54:46Z")
Sort of a hijack: Why to some Orthodox Rabbis object to children having pets that are not Kosher? ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/19 "2008-03-07T22:07:23Z")
Guinastasia: > [@](#): > > Murder-I’m assuming that doesn’t include self-defense? Correct. If someone is trying to kill you you are absolutely allowed to kill them first. But if someone says, “Kill X or I’ll kill you” you’re not allowed to commit that murder in order to save your own life. carnivorousplant: > [@](#): > > Why to some Orthodox Rabbis object to children having pets that are not Kosher? When did this happen? I can’t think of any common pet, except maybe a goldfish, that _would_ be kosher. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459/20 "2008-03-07T22:08:50Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] Sort of a hijack: Why to some Orthodox Rabbis object to children having pets that are not Kosher? [/QUOTE] Who? I’ve never heard such a thing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-pet-pigs-and-jews-muslims/440459.md?page=2)