small pet
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small pet
A small pet that is typically kept in an apartment or garden. Examples include hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, pet birds, or ornamental fish.
Unsere Tochter wünscht sich ein Kleintier, am liebsten ein Zwergkaninchen.
Our daughter wants a small pet, preferably a dwarf rabbit.
The word is simply made up of the adjective 'klein' (small) and the noun 'Tier' (animal). So it literally means 'small animal'.
Im Tierheim warten viele Kleintiere auf ein neues Zuhause.
Many small pets are waiting for a new home at the animal shelter.
What is important is that 'Kleintier' almost always refers to a small pet that you keep at home. A wild mouse in the garden would normally not be called a Kleintier.
Für die Haltung von Kleintieren braucht man einen geeigneten Käfig.
You need a suitable cage for keeping small pets.
Common combinations are 'Kleintiere halten' (to keep small pets) or compounds such as 'Kleintierpraxis' (veterinary practice for small animals) and 'Kleintierzubehör' (small-pet supplies).
Unser Hund muss heute in die Kleintierpraxis.
Our dog has to go to the small-animal veterinary practice today.
pet
'das Haustier' and 'das Kleintier' both belong to the area of animals that people keep at home. 'Haustier' is the general term and can refer to many animals, for example dogs, cats, rabbits, or birds. 'Kleintier' is more specific: it refers to small pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, pet birds, or ornamental fish. So a dog is a pet, but normally not a small pet. The words can be confused because many small pets are also pets. Memory aid: every 'Kleintier' can be a 'Haustier', but not every 'Haustier' is a 'Kleintier'.
Für ein Kleintier wie einen Hamster braucht man einen sicheren Käfig.
For a small pet like a hamster, you need a secure cage.
Nach dem Umzug möchte sie endlich ein Haustier haben.
After moving, she finally wants to have a pet.