Your dog isn’t just a dog. He’s a scrungly little guy with main character energy, and your cat? She’s not aloof—she’s plotting in the shadows like a void queen.
Welcome to the internet’s favorite language: PetTok slang.
From TikTok and Reels to group chats and Instagram captions, people have created a full-on vocabulary to describe their pets’ personalities, moods, and chaotic little quirks. It’s cute, dramatic, and surprisingly relatable—even if you don’t have a pet of your own.
🧠 What This Post Covers
We’re breaking down the slang terms people use to talk about pets in the most human, hilarious ways. You’ll learn:
- What PetTok slang sounds like
- Where it shows up (and why it resonates)
- Trend-adjacent slang that builds the full vibe
- How this lingo reflects love, chaos, and internet culture
🐕 Where You’ll See Pet Slang
- TikTok edits with over-the-top filters and emotional music
- Captions on Instagram: “My emotional support gremlin 💅”
- Voiceovers in Reels where cats narrate their day like royalty
- Comment sections full of “protect this lil guy” energy
These aren’t just jokes—they’re ways of giving voice to how we feel about our pets.
🔑 Most Common Pet Slang Terms
Scrungly
Means: Disheveled, odd-looking, but irresistibly lovable
“My dog looks extra scrungly after his bath and I love him for it.”
🧸 Used for small, fuzzy, or funny-looking animals.
Main Character Energy
Means: When a pet acts like they’re the dramatic center of the universe
“She stares out the window like she’s mourning a lost love. Main character.”
🎬 Works with slow-mo, sad music, and 100% projection.
Little Guy / Lil Guy
Means: A beloved tiny creature, no matter how chaotic
🥺 Universal expression of helpless affection.
Certified Menace
Means: A pet who wreaks mild havoc—but we love them anyway
“He bit through the couch. Certified menace.”
😈 A badge of honor for the naughty.
Void
Means: A black cat. That’s it. That’s the slang.
“The void has returned to judge us.”
🌑 Often paired with glowing eyes and spooky edits.
Gremlin Hours
Means: The late-night chaos window when pets lose all chill
“It’s 3AM and she’s doing laps. Gremlin hours.”
⚡ Common among cats, sugar gliders, and ferrets.
Dangerous Criminal
Means: A sarcastic nickname for a mischievous but adorable pet
“Caught the criminal stealing socks again.”
🚨 Bonus points for “mugshot” photos.
Blep
Means: When a pet’s tongue sticks out slightly and adorably
“He blepped mid-nap. I’m crying.”
👅 One of the internet’s most beloved pet features.
Meowdel / Dogfluencer
Means: A pet with fashion sense and online presence
“She’s a meowdel and she knows it.”
📸 Used for stylish pets, especially those with IG profiles.
Emotional Support Gremlin
Means: A slightly chaotic pet that provides comfort anyway
“He screams at 6AM, but he’s my emotional support gremlin.”
💗 Equal parts unhinged and healing.
📋 Summary Table
Term | Meaning | Example Use |
---|---|---|
Scrungly | Disheveled but adorable | “Post-bath scrungly mode activated.” |
Main Character Energy | Overly dramatic behavior | “Staring out the window like a sad poet.” |
Lil Guy | Cute or helpless small pet | “The lil guy dropped his snack.” |
Certified Menace | Lovable troublemaker | “He’s a certified menace and I love him.” |
Void | Black cat energy | “The void is watching from the shadows.” |
Gremlin Hours | Late-night chaos | “She’s zooming at midnight. It’s time.” |
Dangerous Criminal | Sarcastic troublemaker nickname | “He chewed my shoe. Lock him up.” |
Blep | Tongue sticking out slightly | “He fell asleep mid-blep 😭.” |
Meowdel / Dogfluencer | Stylish or Instagram-famous pet | “Booked and busy, our meowdel queen.” |
Emotional Support Gremlin | Chaotic but comforting creature | “He’s loud and needy and I need him.” |
🧩 Cultural Layering: Trend-Adjacent Slang You’ll Also See
These extra phrases add more flavor to PetTok slang and often show up alongside it:
- “Fur baby” – The oldest mainstream pet-person term
- “Goblin mode” – When a pet (or person) goes full chaos
- “He’s just a silly little guy” – A meme-based excuse for literally anything
- “Certified goober” – A non-threatening term for clumsy pets
- “Built different” – For pets with odd quirks or behaviors
- “Main character arc” – Narrative language for a pet’s big comeback or transformation
These terms help express not just what pets are doing, but how it makes us feel. That’s the power of slang—and of animals.

🤝 Why We Talk Like This About Pets
- It’s relatable: Everyone thinks their pet has a unique personality
- It’s emotional armor: We turn love into humor
- It’s community-building: If you say “gremlin hours,” other pet owners just get it
And let’s be honest—your dog really does act like he’s in a period drama when it rains.
Related Reads on StreetSlang.com
Final Thought
PetTok slang isn’t just silly—it’s love language. When we call our cat a “void” or say our dog has “main character energy,” we’re translating emotion into community-driven slang. And in return, we get content that makes us laugh, cry, and comment “protect him at all costs.”
So next time your pet bleps in their sleep or enters full gremlin mode… just smile, and whisper:
“That’s my little guy.”
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