How to Care for Pets and Visit the Vet in China: Chinese Phrases for Adoption, Veterinary Visits, Grooming, and Pet Emergencies

Whether you are adopting from a shelter or buying from a breeder, knowing the right Chinese vocabulary will help you find the right companion. Key vocabulary: 宠物 (chǒng wù) — pet, 领养 (lǐng yǎng) — adopt, 购买 (gòu mǎi) — purchase, 动物收容所 (dòng wù shōu róng suǒ) — animal shelter, 宠物店 (chǒng wù diàn) — pet store, 猫 (māo) — cat, 狗 (gǒu) — dog, 品种 (pǐn zhǒng) — breed, 金毛 (jīn máo) — Golden Retriever, 泰迪 (tài dí) — Teddy/Poodle, 橘猫 (jú māo) — orange tabby, 英短 (yīng duǎn) — British Shorthair, 公的 (gōng de) — male, 母的 (mǔ de) — female, 几个月大 (jǐ gè yuè dà) — how many months old, 打过疫苗吗 (dǎ guò yì miáo ma) — Has it been vaccinated? 驱虫 (qū chóng) — deworming, 绝育 (jué yù) — spayed/neutered.

At the shelter or pet store — key phrases: 我想领养一只猫 (wǒ xiǎng lǐng yǎng yī zhī māo) — I want to adopt a cat. 我想看看这只狗 (wǒ xiǎng kàn kàn zhè zhī gǒu) — I want to see this dog. 它多大了 (tā duō dà le) — How old is it? 它是什么品种 (tā shì shén me pǐn zhǒng) — What breed is it? 它的性格怎么样 (tā de xìng gé zěn me yàng) — What is its temperament like? 温顺 (wēn shùn) — gentle/docile, 活泼 (huó pō) — lively/energetic, 粘人 (nián rén) — clingy/affectionate. 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) — How much? 领养需要什么手续 (lǐng yǎng xū yào shén me shǒu xù) — What procedures are needed for adoption? 需要填表吗 (xū yào tián biǎo ma) — Do I need to fill out a form? 需要身份证吗 (xū yào shēn fèn zhèng ma) — Do I need an ID card? 有领养费吗 (yǒu lǐng yǎng fèi ma) — Is there an adoption fee? 包括疫苗吗 (bāo kuò yì miáo ma) — Are vaccinations included? In many Chinese cities, pet ownership requires registration: 办狗证 (bàn gǒu zhèng) — get a dog license, 需要办证吗 (xū yào bàn zhèng ma) — Do I need to register?

Regular vet visits are essential for your pet's health, and being able to describe symptoms in Chinese is crucial. Key vocabulary: 兽医 (shòu yī) — veterinarian, 宠物医院 (chǒng wù yī yuàn) — animal hospital / vet clinic, 预约 (yù yuē) — appointment, 挂号 (guà hào) — register/check in, 检查 (jiǎn chá) — examination, 体检 (tǐ jiǎn) — checkup/physical, 疫苗 (yì miáo) — vaccine, 狂犬疫苗 (kuáng quǎn yì miáo) — rabies vaccine, 三联疫苗 (sān lián yì miáo) — triple vaccine (for dogs), 三联苗 (sān lián miáo) — triple vaccine (for cats), 驱虫药 (qū chóng yào) — deworming medicine, 体内驱虫 (tǐ nèi qū chóng) — internal deworming, 体外驱虫 (tǐ wài qū chóng) — external parasite treatment (fleas/ticks).

Describing symptoms — key phrases: 我的猫不舒服 (wǒ de māo bù shū fu) — My cat is unwell. 它不吃饭了 (tā bù chī fàn le) — It stopped eating. 它吐了 (tā tù le) — It vomited. 它拉肚子了 (tā lā dù zi le) — It has diarrhea. 它一直咳嗽 (tā yī zhí ké sòu) — It keeps coughing. 它精神不好 (tā jīng shén bù hǎo) — It seems lethargic/low energy. 它挠得很厉害 (tā náo de hěn lì hài) — It scratches a lot. 皮肤发红 (pí fū fā hóng) — The skin is red. 掉毛很多 (diào máo hěn duō) — Excessive shedding. 有肿块 (yǒu zhǒng kuài) — There is a lump. 它走路一瘸一拐的 (tā zǒu lù yī qué yī guǎi de) — It is limping. 眼睛有分泌物 (yǎn jīng yǒu fēn mì wù) — There is discharge from the eyes. After examination: 检查结果怎么样 (jiǎn chá jié guǒ zěn me yàng) — What are the exam results? 严重吗 (yán zhòng ma) — Is it serious? 需要吃药吗 (xū yào chī yào ma) — Does it need medicine? 一天几次 (yī tiān jǐ cì) — How many times a day? 需要打针吗 (xū yào dǎ zhēn ma) — Does it need an injection? 需要做手术吗 (xū yào zuò shǒu shù ma) — Does it need surgery? 什么时候复查 (shén me shí hou fù chá) — When does it need a follow-up? 费用大概多少 (fèi yòng dà gài duō shǎo) — How much will it cost approximately?

Keeping your pet clean and well-groomed is important for their health and happiness. Key grooming vocabulary: 宠物美容 (chǒng wù měi róng) — pet grooming, 洗澡 (xǐ zǎo) — bath, 剪毛 (jiǎn máo) — haircut / trim, 修毛 (xiū máo) — grooming / trimming, 剪指甲 (jiǎn zhǐ jiá) — nail clipping, 洗耳朵 (xǐ ěr duǒ) — ear cleaning, 刷牙 (shuā yá) — teeth brushing, 肛门腺 (gāng mén xiàn) — anal glands, 挤肛门腺 (jǐ gāng mén xiàn) — express anal glands. At the groomer: 我想预约给猫洗澡 (wǒ xiǎng yù yuē gěi māo xǐ zǎo) — I want to book a bath for my cat. 修短一点 (xiū duǎn yī diǎn) — Trim it a bit shorter. 不要剃光 (bù yào tì guāng) — Don't shave completely. 剪个泰迪装 (jiǎn gè tài dí zhuāng) — Give it a teddy bear cut. 大概多长时间 (dà gài duō cháng shí jiān) — About how long? 可以在这里等吗 (kě yǐ zài zhè lǐ děng ma) — Can I wait here?

Daily care and supplies vocabulary: 猫粮 (māo liáng) — cat food, 狗粮 (gǒu liáng) — dog food, 猫砂 (māo shā) — cat litter, 猫砂盆 (māo shā pén) — litter box, 遛狗 (liù gǒu) — walk the dog, 牵引绳 (qiān yǐn shéng) — leash, 胸背带 (xiōng bèi dài) — harness, 项圈 (xiàng quān) — collar, 狗牌 (gǒu pái) — dog tag, 玩具 (wán jù) — toy, 逗猫棒 (dòu māo bàng) — cat teaser wand, 猫抓板 (māo zhuā bǎn) — scratching board, 猫爬架 (māo pá jià) — cat tree, 零食 (líng shí) — treats, 营养膏 (yíng yǎng gāo) — nutrition paste, 化毛膏 (huà máo gāo) — hairball remedy paste. Shopping phrases: 哪种猫粮比较好 (nǎ zhǒng māo liáng bǐ jiào hǎo) — Which cat food is better? 适合幼猫还是成猫 (shì hé yòu māo hái shì chéng māo) — Suitable for kittens or adult cats? 有没有无谷的 (yǒu méi yǒu wú gǔ de) — Do you have grain-free? 这个牌子的怎么样 (zhè ge pái zi de zěn me yàng) — How is this brand? 可以试吃吗 (kě yǐ shì chī ma) — Can I get a sample/trial? 有优惠活动吗 (yǒu yōu huì huó dòng ma) — Are there any promotions?

Knowing what to do in a pet emergency can save your companion's life. Key emergency vocabulary: 紧急情况 (jǐn jí qíng kuàng) — emergency, 中毒 (zhòng dú) — poisoning, 吃了不该吃的东西 (chī le bù gāi chī de dōng xi) — ate something it shouldn't have, 吞了异物 (tūn le yì wù) — swallowed a foreign object, 被车撞了 (bèi chē zhuàng le) — hit by a car, 流血 (liú xuè) — bleeding, 骨折 (gǔ zhé) — fracture/broken bone, 抽搐 (chōu chù) — convulsions/seizure, 呼吸困难 (hū xī kùn nán) — difficulty breathing, 昏迷 (hūn mí) — unconscious, 24小时宠物医院 (èr shí sì xiǎo shí chǒng wù yī yuàn) — 24-hour vet hospital.

Emergency phrases: 我的狗中毒了 (wǒ de gǒu zhòng dú le) — My dog has been poisoned! 它刚才吃了巧克力 (tā gāng cái chī le qiǎo kè lì) — It just ate chocolate (toxic to dogs). 它吃了葡萄 (tā chī le pú táo) — It ate grapes (also toxic). 请马上抢救 (qǐng mǎ shàng qiǎng jiù) — Please treat/resuscitate immediately! 最近的宠物急诊在哪里 (zuì jìn de chǒng wù jí zhěn zài nǎ lǐ) — Where is the nearest pet emergency? 需要马上做手术 (xū yào mǎ shàng zuò shǒu shù) — It needs surgery immediately. 先救它，费用我来付 (xiān jiù tā, fèi yòng wǒ lái fù) — Save it first, I'll pay the costs. 可以刷卡吗 (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma) — Can I pay by card? After treatment: 它现在怎么样 (tā xiàn zài zěn me yàng) — How is it now? 脱离危险了吗 (tuō lí wēi xiǎn le ma) — Is it out of danger? 需要住院吗 (xū yào zhù yuàn ma) — Does it need to be hospitalized? 需要注意什么 (xū yào zhù yì shén me) — What should I watch out for? 可以给它吃东西吗 (kě yǐ gěi tā chī dōng xi ma) — Can I feed it? Also useful: community pet care phrases — 可以帮我照看一下猫吗 (kě yǐ bāng wǒ zhào kàn yī xià māo ma) — Can you help look after my cat? 寄养 (jì yǎng) — boarding/foster care. 上门喂猫 (shàng mén wèi māo) — cat-sitting service (comes to your home).