What Pronouns Are Correct to Use for Dogs?

Learn which pronouns to use for dogs, including he, she, they, or it, and how pet owners choose based on gender or neutrality.

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Dogs, like all animals, do not have personal pronouns as humans do. In English, dogs are typically referred to by the pronouns 'it' or 'they' whether the gender is known or not. Many pet owners prefer 'he/him' or 'she/her' based on the dog's sex, and increasingly 'they/them' as a gender-neutral option, especially when the dog's gender is unknown or if they prefer not to anthropomorphize their pets.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What pronouns should I use for my dog? You can use he/him or she/her if you know your dog's gender, or they/them as a gender-neutral option. Some also use it, though many prefer to personalize their pet's pronouns.
  2. Can dogs have their own pronouns like humans? Dogs do not have personal pronouns naturally; pronoun use for pets is based on human language conventions and owner preferences.
  3. Why do some people use they/them pronouns for dogs? They/them is used as a gender-neutral option, especially when the dog's gender is unknown or to avoid anthropomorphizing pets.