Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (No. 333-182969) and Forms S-8 (No. 333-190292, No. 333-174971, No. 333-161024, No. 333-144177, No. 333-124853, No. 333-105803, No. 333-61336 and No. 333-47768) of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. of our report dated February 17, 2015 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

Boston, Massachusetts

February 17, 2015