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 Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | Pronunciation Singular | Pronunciation Plural |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
dog | dogs | I have a dog. | We have two dogs. | /dɔg/ | /dɔgz/ |
cat | cats | The cat is sleeping. | Cats are curious. | /kæt/ | /kæts/ |
fish | fish | She has a fish. | They have many fish. | /fɪʃ/ | /fɪʃ/ |
bird | birds | A bird is singing. | Birds fly high. | /bɝd/ | /bɝdz/ |
rabbit | rabbits | The rabbit is white. | Rabbits are cute. | /ˈræb.ɪt/ | /ˈræb.ɪts/ |
hamster | hamsters | My hamster runs on a wheel. | Hamsters sleep a lot. | /ˈhæm.stɚ/ | /ˈhæm.stɚz/ |
turtle | turtles | The turtle is slow. | Turtles live a long time. | /ˈtɝt.l/ | /ˈtɝt.lz/ |
guinea pig | guinea pigs | Guinea pigs are friendly. | I have two guinea pigs. | /ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡ/ | /ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡz/ |
parrot | parrots | The parrot can talk. | Parrots have colorful feathers. | /ˈpær.ət/ | /ˈpær.əts/ |
snake | snakes | The 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 Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | Pronunciation Singular | Pronunciation Plural |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labrador | Labradors | The Labrador is friendly. | Labradors are popular pets. | /ˈlæb.rə.dɔr/ | /ˈlæb.rə.dɔrz/ |
German Shepherd | German Shepherds | The German Shepherd is smart. | German Shepherds are protectors. | /ˈdʒɜr.mən ˈʃɛp.ɚd/ | /ˈdʒɜr.mən ˈʃɛp.ɚrdz/ |
Bulldog | Bulldogs | The bulldog looks strong. | Bulldogs have short noses. | /ˈbʊl.dɔg/ | /ˈbʊl.dɔgz/ |
Beagle | Beagles | Beagles have good noses. | Beagles are very active. | /ˈbiː.ɡəl/ | /ˈbiː.ɡəlz/ |
Poodle | Poodles | The poodle has curly hair. | Poodles come in different sizes. | /ˈpuː.dəl/ | /ˈpuː.dəlz/ |
Dachshund | Dachshunds | The Dachshund is long and low. | Dachshunds are playful. | /ˈdæk.sʊnd/ | /ˈdæk.sʊndz/ |
Boxer | Boxers | The boxer is energetic. | Boxers are good with kids. | /ˈbɑk.sɚ/ | /ˈbɑk.sɚz/ |
Chihuahua | Chihuahuas | The Chihuahua is very small. | Chihuahuas are brave. | /tʃɪˈwɑː.hwə/ | /tʃɪˈwɑː.hwəz/ |
Siberian Husky | Siberian Huskies | Siberian Huskies have blue eyes. | Siberian Huskies love the cold. | /saɪˈbɪr.i.ən ˈhʌs.ki/ | /saɪˈbɪr.i.ən ˈhʌs.kiz/ |
Golden Retriever | Golden Retrievers | The 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 Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | Pronunciation Singular | Pronunciation Plural |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Siamese | Siamese | The Siamese cat is very vocal. | Siamese cats have blue eyes. | /ˌsaɪ.əˈmiːz/ | /ˌsaɪ.əˈmiːz/ |
Persian | Persians | The Persian cat has long fur. | Persian cats need grooming. | /ˈpɜr.ʒən/ | /ˈpɜr.ʒənz/ |
Maine Coon | Maine Coons | Maine Coons are very large. | Maine Coons have bushy tails. | /meɪn kuːn/ | /meɪn kuːnz/ |
Bengal | Bengals | Bengals have spotted coats. | Bengals are very active. | /ˈbæŋ.ɡəl/ | /ˈbæŋ.ɡəlz/ |
Sphynx | Sphynxes | The Sphynx is hairless. | Sphynxes need warm homes. | /sfɪŋks/ | /sfɪŋksɪz/ |
Ragdoll | Ragdolls | Ragdolls are gentle and relaxed. | Ragdolls have blue eyes. | /ˈræɡ.dɒl/ | /ˈræɡ.dɒlz/ |
Scottish Fold | Scottish Folds | Scottish Folds have folded ears. | Scottish Folds are quiet. | /ˈskɒt.ɪʃ foʊld/ | /ˈskɒt.ɪʃ foʊldz/ |
British Shorthair | British Shorthairs | British Shorthairs are round-faced. | British Shorthairs have dense fur. | /ˈbrɪ.tɪʃ ˈʃɔːrt.heər/ | /ˈbrɪ.tɪʃ ˈʃɔːrt.heərz/ |
Abyssinian | Abyssinians | Abyssinians are very active. | Abyssinians have slender bodies. | /ˌæb.ɪˈsɪn.i.ən/ | /ˌæb.ɪˈsɪn.i.ənz/ |
Norwegian Forest Cat | Norwegian Forest Cats | Norwegian 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 Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | Pronunciation Singular | Pronunciation Plural |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
hamster | hamsters | My hamster is sleeping. | Hamsters are nocturnal. | /ˈhæm.stɚ/ | /ˈhæm.stɚz/ |
guinea pig | guinea pigs | The guinea pig is eating. | Guinea pigs are social. | /ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡ/ | /ˈɡɪn.i pɪɡz/ |
rabbit | rabbits | The rabbit hops around. | Rabbits eat carrots. | /ˈræb.ɪt/ | /ˈræb.ɪts/ |
mouse | mice | The mouse is tiny. | Mice are quick. | /maʊs/ | /maɪs/ |
gerbil | gerbils | Gerbils are easy to care for. | Gerbils are active animals. | /ˈdʒɜr.bəl/ | /ˈdʒɜr.bəlz/ |
turtle | turtles | The turtle is in the tank. | Turtles live a long time. | /ˈtɝt.l/ | /ˈtɝt.lz/ |
fish | fish | The fish swims quietly. | Fish need clean water. | /fɪʃ/ | /fɪʃ/ |
ant farm | ant farms | She has an ant farm. | Ant farms teach patience. | /ænt fɑrm/ | /ænt fɑrmz/ |
hermit crab | hermit crabs | The hermit crab changes shells. | Hermit crabs are interesting. | /ˈhɝ.mɪt kræb/ | /ˈhɝ.mɪt kræbz/ |
budgerigar | budgerigars | The 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 Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | Pronunciation Singular | Pronunciation Plural |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
goldfish | goldfish | The goldfish is orange. | Goldfish live in bowls. | /ˈgoʊld.fɪʃ/ | /ˈgoʊld.fɪʃ/ |
betta fish | betta fish | The betta fish has beautiful fins. | Betta fish are territorial. | /ˈbɛt.ə fɪʃ/ | /ˈbɛt.ə fɪʃ/ |
guppy | guppies | The guppy is small and colorful. | Guppies reproduce quickly. | /ˈɡʌp.i/ | /ˈɡʌp.iz/ |
angelfish | angelfish | The angelfish is graceful. | Angelfish live in aquariums. | /ˈeɪndʒəl.fɪʃ/ | /ˈeɪndʒəl.fɪʃ/ |
parrot | parrots | The parrot mimics sounds. | Parrots can be very intelligent. | /ˈpær.ət/ | /ˈpær.əts/ |
canary | canaries | The canary sings beautifully. | Canaries are small yellow birds. | /kəˈnɛr.i/ | /kəˈnɛr.iz/ |
cockatiel | cockatiels | The cockatiel whistles tunes. | Cockatiels have crests on their heads. | /ˈkɑk.ə.tiːl/ | /ˈkɑk.ə.tiːlz/ |
budgerigar | budgerigars | The budgerigar is a popular pet bird. | Budgerigars can learn to speak. | /ˈbʌdʒ.ər.ɪ.ɡɑr/ | /ˈbʌdʒ.ər.ɪ.ɡɑrz/ |
lovebird | lovebirds | Lovebirds are known for bonding in pairs. | Lovebirds are colorful and small. | /ˈlʌv.bɝd/ | /ˈlʌv.bɝdz/ |
finch | finches | The 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