noun
pet
B1
Haustier: means 'pet' (a domesticated animal kept for companionship). Neuter noun (das Haustier). Plural: Haustiere. Declension: genitive des Haustiers (singular), plural genitive der Haustiere. Common regular plural; used for dogs, cats, birds and other companion animals. Also used broadly for any domesticated companion animal.
Examples
Die Familie musste das neue Haustier abgeben, weil der Vermieter die Haltung im Mietvertrag untersagte.
The family had to give up the new pet because the landlord prohibited keeping it in the rental agreement.
Viele Menschen haben ein Haustier, zum Beispiel einen Hund oder eine Katze.
Many people have a pet, for example a dog or a cat.
Wir haben ein kleines Haustier, einen freundlichen Hund.
We have a small pet, a friendly dog.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a small animal living inside a house with a pet bowl by the door.
Sounds like 'house' + 'tier' (German for animal): 'house-animal' → pet
das Haustier — think 'das' and 'domestic': both start with 'd' (domestic → das)
Notes
Haustier refers to an animal kept in the home for company (pet). Plural is Haustiere.