Adjectives to Describe a Pet

Adjectives to Describe a Pet (with Meanings & Examples)

Pets are part of the family. They welcome us when we come home, keep us company when we’re sad, and somehow always know when it’s time for a walk or for dinner. And of course, when we talk about our pets, we often want to describe what they look like and what they’re like as “people.” English has a wonderfully rich vocabulary for this. Instead of saying: “My dog is nice,” you can say: “My dog is playful, good-natured, and very intelligent.” In this lesson, you will learn useful adjectives to describe a pet, grouped by appearance, personality, and type of animal, with clear meanings and natural example sentences. These words are perfect for everyday English, descriptions, and B1–B2 exam writing and speaking.

Adjectives for appearance

Adorable

Meaning: so attractive that people immediately love it.

• There were several adorable puppies at the shelter, and we adopted one.
• Her kitten is absolutely adorable.

Cute

Meaning: small, young, and attractive in a sweet way.

• What a cute little hamster!
• The puppy looked incredibly cute in that tiny basket.

Fluffy

Meaning: having soft, light fur.

• On top of the box was a cute, fluffy rabbit.
• She has a big, fluffy cat that loves sleeping on pillows.

Long-haired / Short-haired

Meaning: having long or short fur.

• When we were children, we had a beautiful long-haired collie.
• Siamese cats are popular short-haired pets.

Snub-nosed

Meaning: having a short, slightly upturned nose.

• Bulldogs and pugs are famous for their snub-nosed faces.
• She has a sweet snub-nosed dog that snores loudly.

Feathered

Meaning: having feathers (used for birds).

• The park was full of feathered residents such as parrots and peacocks.
• She keeps several colourful feathered pets at home.

Photogenic

Meaning: looking good in photographs.

• His dog is so photogenic that every picture looks professional.
• Our cat is surprisingly photogenic.

Adjectives to describe a pet

Adjectives for personality and behaviour

Playful

Meaning: liking to play and have fun.

• Even at ten years old, their dog is still very playful.
• The kitten was playful and full of energy.

Cuddly

Meaning: making you want to hug or cuddle it.

• Their cat is very cuddly and sleeps on their bed every night.
• She has the cuddliest dog I’ve ever met.

Good-natured

Meaning: kind, friendly, and gentle.

• Although very big, Rex was a calm, good-natured dog.
• Their rabbit is quiet and good-natured.

Charming

Meaning: pleasant and attractive in a way that makes people like it.

• Their old dog is slow but still very charming.
• The cat was small, gentle, and altogether charming.

Intelligent / Smart

Meaning: able to learn and understand quickly.

• That’s the most intelligent dog I’ve ever seen.
• Some animals are surprisingly smart.

Obedient

Meaning: doing what its owner tells it to do.

• With good training, dogs usually become obedient pets.
• Their dog is very obedient and well-behaved.

Naughty

Meaning: often behaving badly in a playful or annoying way.

• Their monkey is funny but can be very naughty.
• The puppy is adorable, but also quite naughty.

Shy

Meaning: nervous or uncomfortable with people.

• Their guinea pig is very cute but rather shy.
• The dog was shy at first, but soon became more confident.

Docile

Meaning: calm, gentle, and easy to control.

• Although very large, the horse is calm and docile.
• Some reptiles are surprisingly docile pets.

Adjectives for type of animal

Domestic

Meaning: tamed and used to living with people.

• Dogs, cats, and rabbits are domestic animals.
• Some domestic animals, like pigs, can make great pets.

Exotic

Meaning: unusual and often from faraway countries.

• She keeps exotic fish and colourful birds.
• Exotic pets can be beautiful, but they are not easy to care for.

Feline

Meaning: related to cats or moving like a cat.

• Lions and tigers are feline animals.
• Our cat moves in a very elegant, feline way.

Ornamental

Meaning: kept mainly for decoration, not for company.

• The hotel’s pool was full of ornamental fish.
• Ornamental birds are often kept in large gardens or parks.

You can describe a pet by talking about how it looks (fluffy, snub-nosed, photogenic…), how it behaves (playful, obedient, naughty, shy…) and what kind of animal it is (domestic, exotic, ornamental, feline…). Using more precise adjectives makes your English sound more natural, more expressive, and more advanced.

Learn vocabulary related to pets here

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