What is the ruling on pets (cats and dogs) trading?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Muslim scholars have different opinions regarding trading with pets. The majority of them say it is haram to trade with dogs. Amongst those scholars are Abu Hurairah, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Rabi’a, Al-Awza’i, Al-Hakam, Al-Shafi’i, Ahmad, Ibn Al-Munther, and others.

However, Abu Hanifa said that it is allowed to sell dogs which can be beneficial. If one kills them, they have to pay a compensation. Ibn Al-Munther narrated from Jaber, Ata’, and Al-Nakh’i that it is allowed to sell only hounds. It is narrated that the prophet (PBUH) forbade accepting the price of a dog, the dowry of a prostitute, and the gifts or money given to the soothsayer. Related by Muslim.

Regarding selling cats, the majority of scholars, including the four verdict schools’ scholars, say it is allowed to sell them. However, others say it is haram to sell cats. Those scholars depend on the following hadith. Imam Muslim narrated that Abu Zubair asked Jabir about the price of a dog or a cat. Jabir said: “Allah's Messenger denied that.”

Therefore, the overweighed opinion is it is haram to trade with pets as what is narrated from the prophet approves that it is haram to sell them, and there are no other contradictory hadiths which tell the opposite.