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Pet Care

Shopping for Pet Supplies

A pet owner is at a pet store, asking staff for recommendations on pet food, toys, grooming tools, or bedding for their specific pet's needs.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Customer (Female)
Hi there! I just adopted a new kitten, and I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the options. Could you help me find some essentials?
2
Pet Store Staff (Male)
Absolutely! Congratulations on your new addition. We can definitely get you set up. First, how old is your kitten, and do you know what kind of food they were eating before?
3
Customer (Female)
She's about 8 weeks old, and the shelter said she was on a kitten-specific dry food, but I don't recall the brand.
4
Pet Store Staff (Male)
No problem at all. For kittens, a high-quality kitten formula is crucial for their development. I recommend starting with a small bag of a reputable brand, perhaps a grain-free option like this one. It's great for sensitive tummies.
5
Customer (Female)
That sounds good. What about litter and a litter box? She's pretty small.
6
Pet Store Staff (Male)
Right. For a tiny kitten, a low-entry litter box is ideal so she can climb in easily. As for litter, clumping clay litter is generally popular, or you could try a natural option like corn or wheat if you prefer something dust-free.
7
Customer (Female)
Okay, that's helpful. And toys? She seems quite playful.
8
Pet Store Staff (Male)
Fantastic! For kittens, feather wands, crinkle balls, and even small soft mice are always a hit. We also have interactive toys that release treats, which are great for mental stimulation. Let me show you a few options.
9
Customer (Female)
Perfect! This is much easier with your guidance. Thank you so much!
10
Pet Store Staff (Male)
You're very welcome! If you have any other questions once you get home, feel free to give us a call. Enjoy your new kitten!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

adopted

To adopt means to take an animal into your home and care for it as a pet. It's commonly used when talking about getting a new pet from a shelter.

overwhelmed

Overwhelmed means feeling confused or worried because there are too many choices or things to do. In shopping, it's used when options seem too much.

essentials

Essentials are the most important items you need. In pet care, it refers to basic supplies like food and bedding for your pet's health.

kitten

A kitten is a young cat, usually under one year old. It's a specific term for baby cats in pet contexts.

litter

Litter in pet care means the material put in a box for cats to use as a toilet. It's essential for keeping the home clean.

clumping

Clumping describes litter that forms solid balls when wet, making it easy to clean. It's a popular type for cat owners.

playful

Playful means liking to play and be active. For pets, it's used to describe energetic behavior, like a kitten chasing toys.

stimulation

Stimulation means something that keeps the mind active and interested. In pets, mental stimulation helps prevent boredom with toys.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Could you help me find some essentials?

This is a polite request for assistance in a store. Use it when you need help choosing important items. The structure 'Could you help me...' is a common way to ask for favor in English.

Congratulations on your new addition.

This sentence expresses joy for someone's new pet. 'New addition' idiomatically means a new family member like a pet. It's useful for positive responses in conversations about pets.

For kittens, a high-quality kitten formula is crucial for their development.

This explains why something is important. 'Crucial for' means very necessary, and 'their development' refers to growth. Use this pattern to give advice on pet needs.

I recommend starting with a small bag of a reputable brand.

This is a suggestion using 'I recommend' followed by a gerund 'starting with'. It's practical for giving product advice in stores, helping beginners try small amounts first.

For a tiny kitten, a low-entry litter box is ideal so she can climb in easily.

This sentence uses 'is ideal so...' to explain a reason. 'Low-entry' describes a design feature. It's useful for recommending products based on pet size.

She seems quite playful.

This describes an observation using 'seems' for appearance. 'Quite playful' means very active in playing. Use it to share pet behavior when asking for toy recommendations.

This is much easier with your guidance. Thank you so much!

This shows appreciation using 'with your guidance' meaning help or advice. It's a common way to thank someone for making a task simpler, like shopping.