Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Pet in Spanish: Mascota
Mascota · noun · mahs-KOH-tah
"Mascota" is the standard Spanish word for a pet — any domesticated animal kept for companionship. It is a feminine noun regardless of the animal's sex, and it can also mean a mascot in certain contexts.
mahs-KOH-tah
Mi mascota favorita es mi gato anaranjado.
My favorite pet is my orange cat.
Pet in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for pet, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| mascota | pet | mahs-KOH-tah | Default, widely understood |
| animal doméstico | pet | formal or veterinary contexts | |
| animal de compañía | pet | official or legal terminology |
How Native Speakers Use Mascota
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Talking about your pet
Tengo una mascota desde que era niño: un perro llamado Bruno.
I have had a pet since I was a child: a dog named Bruno.
Mascota is the everyday word used when talking about companion animals at home.
At the veterinarian
El veterinario revisó a todas las mascotas de la familia.
The veterinarian examined all of the family's pets.
Even in professional settings like a vet clinic, mascota is widely understood and used.
Pet-friendly places
Este restaurante permite la entrada de mascotas.
This restaurant allows pets inside.
Signs and policies in Spanish-speaking countries commonly use mascota to refer to companion animals.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Mascota
Using mascota as masculine
Incorrect: Mi mascoto es un conejo.
Correct: Mi mascota es un conejo.
"Mascota" is always feminine in form. It does not change to "mascoto" for a male animal.
Confusing mascota with the verb to pet
Incorrect: Ella mascota al perro.
Correct: Ella acaricia al perro.
"Mascota" is a noun meaning pet (the animal). The verb to pet (to stroke or caress) is "acariciar" in Spanish.
Lock in Pet Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Mascota used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using mascota in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi mascota favorita es mi gato anaranjado. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Pet in Spanish
- Does mascota also mean mascot?
- "Mascota" covers both meanings — it can refer to a team or brand mascot as well as a household pet. Context makes the meaning clear — "la mascota del equipo" is the team's mascot, while "mi mascota" is my pet.
- How do I say to pet an animal in Spanish?
- The Spanish verb for petting or stroking is "acariciar" — for example, "Me gusta acariciar a los gatos" means "I like to pet cats." Do not try to use "mascota" as a verb.
- Is animal doméstico the same as mascota?
- "Animal doméstico" casts a wider net, technically including farm animals like cows and chickens that have been domesticated. "Mascota" specifically refers to animals kept as companions, so it is a narrower and more common term for pets.