How to sign “Pets” in ASL

Everyday Life

BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the American sign. See the BSL sign for “Pets” instead

Step by step

  1. Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with its palm facing down.
  2. Lay your dominant flat hand on the back of it, palm down.
  3. Stroke forward along the back of the hand twice, like petting an animal's back.
  4. Keep your dominant fingers together and make the strokes long and gentle.
  5. Soften your expression — done gently, the sign doubles as the verb 'to pet'.

Practice tip

Plural of “Pet” — sign the base sign (often repeated) for more than one.

Fingerspell “Pets”

Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.

ASL handshape for letter PASL handshape for letter EASL handshape for letter TASL handshape for letter S

See all ASL handshapes in the alphabet reference

Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.

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