Pets are animals that people keep at home for companionship. This guide covers the most common pets and the vocabulary you need to talk about them in English. You will learn the names of popular pets, as well as some common terms for pet care.

Common Pets

These are the most common types of pets people have around the world. Knowing these words will help you describe any pet situation.
English SingularEnglish PluralExample SingularExample PluralPronunciation SingularPronunciation Plural
dogdogsI have a dog.We have two dogs./dɔg//dɔgz/
catcatsThe cat is sleeping.Cats are curious./kæt//kæts/
fishfishShe has a fish.They have many fish./fɪʃ//fɪʃ/
birdbirdsA bird is singing.Birds fly high./bɝd//bɝdz/
rabbitrabbitsThe rabbit is white.Rabbits are cute./ˈræb.ɪt//ˈræb.ɪts/
hamsterhamstersMy hamster runs on a wheel.Hamsters sleep a lot./ˈhæm.stɚ//ˈhæm.stɚz/
turtleturtlesThe turtle is slow.Turtles live a long time./ˈtɝt.l//ˈtɝt.lz/
guinea pigguinea pigsGuinea pigs are friendly.I have two guinea pigs./ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡ//ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡz/
parrotparrotsThe parrot can talk.Parrots have colorful feathers./ˈpær.ət//ˈpær.əts/
snakesnakesThe snake is in a cage.Snakes don’t have legs./sneɪk//sneɪks/

Dog Breeds

Learning different dog breeds helps you be more specific when talking about dogs.
English SingularEnglish PluralExample SingularExample PluralPronunciation SingularPronunciation Plural
LabradorLabradorsThe Labrador is friendly.Labradors are popular pets./ˈlæb.rə.dɔr//ˈlæb.rə.dɔrz/
German ShepherdGerman ShepherdsThe German Shepherd is smart.German Shepherds are protectors./ˈdʒɜr.mən ˈʃɛp.ɚd//ˈdʒɜr.mən ˈʃɛp.ɚrdz/
BulldogBulldogsThe bulldog looks strong.Bulldogs have short noses./ˈbʊl.dɔg//ˈbʊl.dɔgz/
BeagleBeaglesBeagles have good noses.Beagles are very active./ˈbiː.ɡəl//ˈbiː.ɡəlz/
PoodlePoodlesThe poodle has curly hair.Poodles come in different sizes./ˈpuː.dəl//ˈpuː.dəlz/
DachshundDachshundsThe Dachshund is long and low.Dachshunds are playful./ˈdæk.sʊnd//ˈdæk.sʊndz/
BoxerBoxersThe boxer is energetic.Boxers are good with kids./ˈbɑk.sɚ//ˈbɑk.sɚz/
ChihuahuaChihuahuasThe Chihuahua is very small.Chihuahuas are brave./tʃɪˈwɑː.hwə//tʃɪˈwɑː.hwəz/
Siberian HuskySiberian HuskiesSiberian Huskies have blue eyes.Siberian Huskies love the cold./saɪˈbɪr.i.ən ˈhʌs.ki//saɪˈbɪr.i.ən ˈhʌs.kiz/
Golden RetrieverGolden RetrieversThe Golden Retriever is gentle.Golden Retrievers are great family dogs./ˈgoʊl.dən rɪˈtriː.vɚ//ˈgoʊl.dən rɪˈtriː.vɚz/

Cat Types

Cats come in many breeds and colors. These words will help you describe cats more precisely.
English SingularEnglish PluralExample SingularExample PluralPronunciation SingularPronunciation Plural
SiameseSiameseThe Siamese cat is very vocal.Siamese cats have blue eyes./ˌsaɪ.əˈmiːz//ˌsaɪ.əˈmiːz/
PersianPersiansThe Persian cat has long fur.Persian cats need grooming./ˈpɜr.ʒən//ˈpɜr.ʒənz/
Maine CoonMaine CoonsMaine Coons are very large.Maine Coons have bushy tails./meɪn kuːn//meɪn kuːnz/
BengalBengalsBengals have spotted coats.Bengals are very active./ˈbæŋ.ɡəl//ˈbæŋ.ɡəlz/
SphynxSphynxesThe Sphynx is hairless.Sphynxes need warm homes./sfɪŋks//sfɪŋksɪz/
RagdollRagdollsRagdolls are gentle and relaxed.Ragdolls have blue eyes./ˈræɡ.dɒl//ˈræɡ.dɒlz/
Scottish FoldScottish FoldsScottish Folds have folded ears.Scottish Folds are quiet./ˈskɒt.ɪʃ foʊld//ˈskɒt.ɪʃ foʊldz/
British ShorthairBritish ShorthairsBritish Shorthairs are round-faced.British Shorthairs have dense fur./ˈbrɪ.tɪʃ ˈʃɔːrt.heər//ˈbrɪ.tɪʃ ˈʃɔːrt.heərz/
AbyssinianAbyssiniansAbyssinians are very active.Abyssinians have slender bodies./ˌæb.ɪˈsɪn.i.ən//ˌæb.ɪˈsɪn.i.ənz/
Norwegian Forest CatNorwegian Forest CatsNorwegian Forest Cats have thick fur.They are good climbers./nɔːrˈwiː.dʒən ˈfɔr.ɪst kæt//nɔːrˈwiː.dʒən ˈfɔr.ɪst kæts/

Which cat breed is very vocal and often has blue eyes?


Siamese

The Siamese cat is known for being vocal and typically having striking blue eyes.

Small Animals

Many people keep small animals in cages or tanks. These are some common ones.
English SingularEnglish PluralExample SingularExample PluralPronunciation SingularPronunciation Plural
hamsterhamstersMy hamster is sleeping.Hamsters are nocturnal./ˈhæm.stɚ//ˈhæm.stɚz/
guinea pigguinea pigsThe guinea pig is eating.Guinea pigs are social./ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡ//ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡz/
rabbitrabbitsThe rabbit hops around.Rabbits eat carrots./ˈræb.ɪt//ˈræb.ɪts/
mousemiceThe mouse is tiny.Mice are quick./maʊs//maɪs/
gerbilgerbilsGerbils are easy to care for.Gerbils are active animals./ˈdʒɜr.bəl//ˈdʒɜr.bəlz/
turtleturtlesThe turtle is in the tank.Turtles live a long time./ˈtɝt.l//ˈtɝt.lz/
fishfishThe fish swims quietly.Fish need clean water./fɪʃ//fɪʃ/
ant farmant farmsShe has an ant farm.Ant farms teach patience./ænt fɑrm//ænt fɑrmz/
hermit crabhermit crabsThe hermit crab changes shells.Hermit crabs are interesting./ˈhɝ.mɪt kræb//ˈhɝ.mɪt kræbz/
budgerigarbudgerigarsThe budgerigar can learn to talk.Budgerigars are small parrots./ˈbʌdʒ.ər.ɪ.ɡɑr//ˈbʌdʒ.ər.ɪ.ɡɑrz/

Which small animal is known for running on a wheel at night?


hamster

Hamsters are nocturnal and often run on wheels during the night, while guinea pigs, rabbits, and gerbils have different activity patterns.

Aquarium and Bird Pets

These are common pets kept in tanks and cages. They require special care.
English SingularEnglish PluralExample SingularExample PluralPronunciation SingularPronunciation Plural
goldfishgoldfishThe goldfish is orange.Goldfish live in bowls./ˈgoʊld.fɪʃ//ˈgoʊld.fɪʃ/
betta fishbetta fishThe betta fish has beautiful fins.Betta fish are territorial./ˈbɛt.ə fɪʃ//ˈbɛt.ə fɪʃ/
guppyguppiesThe guppy is small and colorful.Guppies reproduce quickly./ˈɡʌp.i//ˈɡʌp.iz/
angelfishangelfishThe angelfish is graceful.Angelfish live in aquariums./ˈeɪndʒəl.fɪʃ//ˈeɪndʒəl.fɪʃ/
parrotparrotsThe parrot mimics sounds.Parrots can be very intelligent./ˈpær.ət//ˈpær.əts/
canarycanariesThe canary sings beautifully.Canaries are small yellow birds./kəˈnɛr.i//kəˈnɛr.iz/
cockatielcockatielsThe cockatiel whistles tunes.Cockatiels have crests on their heads./ˈkɑk.ə.tiːl//ˈkɑk.ə.tiːlz/
budgerigarbudgerigarsThe budgerigar is a popular pet bird.Budgerigars can learn to speak./ˈbʌdʒ.ər.ɪ.ɡɑr//ˈbʌdʒ.ər.ɪ.ɡɑrz/
lovebirdlovebirdsLovebirds are known for bonding in pairs.Lovebirds are colorful and small./ˈlʌv.bɝd//ˈlʌv.bɝdz/
finchfinchesThe finch is tiny and energetic.Finches are kept in cages./fɪntʃ//fɪn.tʃɪz/
This vocabulary will help you name and describe pets confidently in English. You can also use these words to ask questions, give advice, or share stories about animals.

Flashcards (1 of 50)

  • Example Singular: I have a dog.
  • Example Plural: We have two dogs.
  • Pronunciation Singular: /dɔg/
  • Pronunciation Plural: /dɔgz/
  • English Singular: dog
  • English Plural: dogs

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

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