Learn the most common Spanish words and phrases for pets, including specific animal names, care-related vocabulary, and useful sentences for talking about your furry (or scaly) friends.
Common Pet Names in Spanish
Start with the most common pet names you’ll use in conversation.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| el perro | los perros | the dog | the dogs |
| el gato | los gatos | the cat | the cats |
| el pájaro | los pájaros | the bird | the birds |
| el pez | los peces | the fish | the fish (plural) |
| el hámster | los hámsters | the hamster | the hamsters |
| la tortuga | las tortugas | the turtle | the turtles |
| el conejo | los conejos | the rabbit | the rabbits |
| el loro | los loros | the parrot | the parrots |
| la cobaya | las cobayas | the guinea pig | the guinea pigs |
| la serpiente | las serpientes | the snake | the snakes |
Useful Vocabulary for Pet Care
Here are some key words for feeding, grooming, and caring for pets.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| la comida | — | the food | — |
| el agua | — | the water | — |
| la jaula | las jaulas | the cage | the cages |
| el collar | los collares | the collar | the collars |
| la correa | las correas | the leash | the leashes |
| el veterinario / la veterinaria | los veterinarios / las veterinarias | the veterinarian | the veterinarians |
| el juguete | los juguetes | the toy | the toys |
| el cepillo | los cepillos | the brush | the brushes |
| la cama | las camas | the bed | the beds |
| la medicina | — | the medicine | — |
Common Phrases About Pets
Use these sentences to talk about your pets and their needs.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Tienes mascotas? | — | Do you have pets? | — |
| Tengo un perro. | Tengo dos perros. | I have a dog. | I have two dogs. |
| Mi gato se llama Luna. | — | My cat’s name is Luna. | — |
| Los perros necesitan pasear. | — | Dogs need to go for a walk. | — |
| El hámster está en la jaula. | — | The hamster is in the cage. | — |
| ¿Qué come tu mascota? | — | What does your pet eat? | — |
| Mi loro puede hablar. | — | My parrot can talk. | — |
| La tortuga es muy lenta. | — | The turtle is very slow. | — |
| Voy al veterinario con mi gato. | — | I’m going to the vet with my cat. | — |
| Mis peces nadan en la pecera. | — | My fish swim in the fishbowl. | — |
Los perros necesitan pasear.
Dogs need to go for a walk.
'Los perros necesitan pasear.' means 'Dogs need to go for a walk.' 'Pasear' is 'to take a walk.'
Tips for Talking About Pets in Spanish
- Use tener (to have) to talk about owning pets.
- Use plural forms when talking about more than one animal.
- Use se llama [name] to say what a pet’s name is.
- Describe actions with simple present tense (e.g., pasear, comer, nadar).
- Use gendered articles (el / la) and endings (-o / -a) according to the animal’s gender, if known.
Summary
You now have the basic vocabulary and phrases to talk about pets in Spanish. Practice by describing your own pets or asking others about theirs. ¡Buena suerte!
How do you say a pet’s name in Spanish?
Mi gato se llama Luna.
The correct expression is 'se llama', meaning 'is called'.
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- English Singular: the dog
- English Plural: the dogs
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
