Pet Astrology
how to interpret your pet's chart, and how to calculate their chart even if you don't have their birth info!
If you know me or follow me on socials, you know I have two kitty cats that I am totally obsessed with. Gemini season holds a special place in my heart, as I met Salem for the first time during Gemini season, and Turbo is a Gemini sun!
You can apply astrology to basically everything, and that includes your pets. Pet astrology can provide fascinating insight into your pet's personality and behavior, helping you understand and cater to their needs more effectively. It can also strengthen the bond between you and your pet by offering a deeper connection and a sense of shared understanding. Further, transits can inform you on how your pet may be feeling on any given day.
Whether you have your pet's exact birth details or not, there are several methods to determine and interpret your pet’s chart. In this article, I'm going to break down…
Zodiac sign and planetary meanings in pet astrology
How to calculate your pet’s rising sign based on your own birth chart
How to make educated guesses to determine your pet’s chart, with and without birth info
I’ve also included a short quiz at the end of this article to help you make an educated guess towards your pet’s chart!
The planets in pet astrology
The planets will take on similar meanings in pet astrology, but there are a few tweaks. Animals don’t have to worry about things like careers or their life purpose; they are here to be your best friend and companion! I recommend using the traditional planets in pet astrology (Sun through Saturn) as the generational planets will not apply to animals in the same way that they apply to humans.
Sun: your pet’s core identity and personality, this is the energy they put out into the world
Moon: what makes your pet feel safe and secure, this is the energy they crave
Mercury: how your pet communicates and thinks
Venus: how your pet loves, their relationship to you and other animals
Mars: your pet’s main motivations and energy levels
Jupiter: your pet’s optimism, what makes them happy and what they want more and more of
Saturn: your pet’s discipline and mastery, this placement comes in handy if you want to train your pet
The signs in pet astrology
Similarly, the signs take on their traditional meanings in pet astrology:
Aries pets are fiery and feisty, they bring a burst of energy wherever they go. They're always on the move and possess a youthful energy. These pets can be a bit crazy, often engaging in playful antics that might border on mischievous. An Aries pet is a risk taker! Despite their wild nature, they have a charming youthful spirit that makes them endearing. However, their high energy levels can sometimes lead them into trouble if not properly channeled.
Taurus pets embody a calm and serene demeanor. They love to take things slow, enjoying a leisurely pace in life. These pets have a strong affinity for food and are often very food-motivated. They are highly senses-oriented, taking great pleasure in smelling, tasting, and seeing everything around them. Loyal to their core, Taurus pets can be quite territorial and defend their space/personal areas. They prefer a stable environment that doesn’t have much change or too much action. They are creatures of comfort and can often be found lounging in their favorite spots.
Gemini pets are the curious explorers of the zodiac. Very nosey, they like to investigate every nook and cranny. They are very chatty and vocal, often expressing themselves with a variety of sounds. Gemini pets are incredibly smart but tend to have a short attention span and are easily distracted. These pets are outgoing and enjoy socializing, whether it's with other animals or humans. They thrive in environments where there's always something new to learn or discover.
Cancer pets are the sweethearts of the zodiac. They are incredibly cuddly and thrive on emotional connections. These pets can be quite shy around strangers but are incredibly affectionate with their trusted humans. They have a sensitive nature, often picking up on the emotions of those around them, making them great comfort companions.
Leo pets are the stars of the show. They command attention wherever they go! They often display a regal presence, coupled with a sense of humor that makes them very entertaining. Proud and loyal, Leo pets have a strong bond with their owners and enjoy being the center of attention. Their playful antics and larger-than-life personality make them unforgettable companions.
Virgo pets are highly intelligent and appreciate mental stimulation, thriving on activities that challenge their minds. They can have a meticulous nature, often being particular about their routines and items. Virgo pets are creatures of habit and get a bit neurotic when thrown out of their routine. These pets can be a bit nervous and may require a stable environment to feel secure.
Libra pets are the social butterflies. They enjoy interacting with others and prefer harmony in their environment. Libra pets have a charming personality. They have a natural inclination towards balance and fairness, playing well with other animals and humans alike. These pets thrive in social settings and enjoy being part of a group, often acting as the peacemakers.
Scorpio pets are moody, brooding, and mysterious. These pets are highly observant, often watching everything around them with keen interest. They have a strong will and can be territorial, making them the perfect guardian. Their deep bond with their owners is marked by loyalty and devotion.
Sagittarius pets are the adventurers. Fun-seeking and playful, they have an insatiable desire to explore and roam. These pets thrive on new experiences and enjoy being outdoors. Their playful nature makes them great companions for active owners who enjoy spending time exploring the world. They have a joyous spirit and a love for freedom.
Capricorn pets are the wise old souls. They often display a serious and stoic, perhaps even unapproachable, demeanor. These pets want things their way and can be quite determined to achieve their goals. They have a leadership quality, often taking charge in group settings with other animals. Despite their serious demeanor, they can be incredibly devoted and loving towards their owners.
Aquarius pets are the independent free spirits. Quirky and unique, they often exhibit behaviors that set them apart from other pets. They can play well with others but also enjoy their alone time. These pets form strong attachments to their humans and often display unconventional ways of showing affection.
Pisces pets are the intuitives of the zodiac. They are highly sensitive and have a deep emotional connection with their surroundings. These pets can be shy, so it’s best not to force them into social interactions with other animals or humans. hey are highly perceptive and observant, making them excellent at picking up on subtle changes in their environment or within their human. Their gentle and compassionate nature makes them wonderful, empathetic companions.
Casting your pet’s chart
If you know your pet’s birth details, cast a chart as you regularly would and use the above meanings in your interpretation!
If you don’t have your pet’s birth info, move onto the next section.
How to calculate your pet’s rising sign
One of my favorite astrology “hacks” or methods are derived houses. Derived houses are a technique in which you interpret a house from the perspective of another house. This involves using the original house as a new "ascendant" and renumbering the houses accordingly. There are many applications for this technique. For example, if you want to examine your relationship to your partner’s siblings, you would find the third house (represents siblings) from your seventh house (represents partner). This method is often used to gain deeper insights into relationships and specific life areas.
In astrology, the 6th house is associated with daily routines, health, and service, but also with pets and animals. This house governs the care and responsibilities of pet ownership, including feeding, grooming, and medical attention. Pets often provide companionship and emotional support, fitting into the 6th house's themes of service and duty. Historically linked to farmhands and small livestock, the 6th house's focus on everyday tasks and wellness naturally extends to the care of animals in our lives.
Using the derived houses method, you can use the cusp of your sixth house as your pet’s ascendant. Let’s look at an example.
Here is a snippet of my chart. A “cusp” refers to the line that begins a house. In my Placidus chart, my 6th house begins at 20 degrees Gemini, which makes my cat a 20 degree Gemini rising!
Results can vary depending on which house system you use. For example, if you use Equal houses, all your house cusps will be at the same degree as your ascendant. If you use Whole Sign houses, your cusp would start at 0 degrees. If you are getting bogged down in the details, feel free to use 0 degrees of the sign that rules your sixth house. So in my case, I would simply use 0 degrees Gemini as my pet’s rising.
Determining the rest of the chart
Now that you have your pet’s rising sign, you can begin to fill in the rest of the chart with (a modified version of) a technique called chart rectification. Typically, chart rectification is used to determine an accurate birth time when it is unknown or uncertain. Astrologers use significant life events, major accomplishments, and certain milestones, and compare these with transits, progressions, and other predictive techniques to refine the birth time. This is a very complicated and advanced technique! But for our purposes, we can use an extremely simplified version of chart rectification to fill in the rest of your pet’s chart.
There are two ways of approaching this, depending on if you have an approximate birth date or not. Luckily for you, dear reader, each of my cats fall into these two buckets so I am able to provide you with an example of both techniques!
If you have your pet’s approximate birth date or range of dates, move on to the next section.
If you have no idea when your pet was born, jump two sections.
If you have a timeframe
This method will work best if you have an approximate birth date or range of dates. For example, I got Turbo as a kitten and the veterinarian was able to give me a timeframe (June 1-14, 2023) based on Turbo’s physical development. I will be using Turbo as the example for this section (this is exactly what I did to determine his chart!). You can still use this method if you have a wider timeframe, like a year, but it will get more difficult the wider your range gets as you have more options and decisions to make. If this is your case, consider skipping to the next section.
Step 1: Create astrological “boundaries” for your analysis
First, I recommend pulling up Astro Seek’s Monthly Astro Calendar tool for this exercise. Based on what the vet told me, I know that Turbo was born between June 1-14, 2023. Here’s what the planets were doing in that timeframe:
Sun in Gemini
Moon in Sagittarius to Taurus
Mercury in Gemini
Venus in Cancer and Leo
Mars in Leo
Jupiter in Taurus
Saturn in Pisces
Right off the bat, I can safely assume that Turbo has a Gemini Sun, Gemini Mercury, Leo Mars, Taurus Jupiter, and Pisces Saturn because these were the only signs those planets were in during that time frame. This is the easy part :)
Step 2: Make note of any contingencies
Now, I am left guessing his Moon and Venus signs because those two planets moved through more than one sign during my timeframe. You may have more, or less, planets to consider. Regardless, you will want to make note of any contingencies and create “if this, then that” type of rules. Here’s what I mean:
Venus left Cancer and entered Leo on June 5, so I need to know what signs the moon was in during each transit:
Venus in Cancer → the moon was in Sagittarius and Capricorn
Venus in Leo → the moon was in Capricorn through Taurus
These contingencies are going to help me determine his Moon and Venus signs. For example, if I believe that Turbo has a Cancer Venus, that means that are only two options for his moon sign, Sag and Cap, therefore eliminating the other four possibilities. These rules are going to help you eliminate options!
Step 3: Consider your pet’s behavior and personality
Now you get to think like an animal psychologist and analyze your pet’s behavior and psyche. As stated previously, the planets and signs take on similar meanings in pet astrology but also have their unique interpretations when it comes to animals.
In my case, I need to determine Turbo’s Moon and Venus. The Moon represents what makes your pet feel safe, stable, and secure. It is the type of energy they crave and want to take in. Turbo is energetic, fiery, feisty, and restless. He wants action all the time and isn’t into lounging and napping like his brother, Salem. It’s giving Fire moon! Within the boundaries I created based on the transits, the only options would be a Sagittarius moon or an Aries moon. Let’s put a pin in this for now.
Your pet’s Venus represents their affection, how they like to give and receive love, and their general relationship to you, other pets, and other humans. Turbo has either a Cancer or Leo Venus. Turbo is quite affectionate, which is fitting for both Cancer and Leo so that’s not very helpful to me right now. In terms of giving and receiving love, Turbo lovesss compliments! He loves to hear “good boy” or “handsome kitty.” Around other humans, he loves to flaunt, show off, and be the center of attention. He is also OBSESSED with Salem and wants to be around him any chance he can get. Based on this, I think he has a Leo Venus!
Now that I think he is a Leo Venus, let’s revisit the Moon sign. I had narrowed it down to either a Sagittarius or Aries Moon. Using the contingencies I set up for myself in the previous step, I know that if Turbo is a Leo Venus, he must have a Moon sign between Capricorn and Taurus. That rules out the Sagittarius Moon, which means he must have an Aries Moon!
If you can’t use the process of elimination, or if you have a few potential options still, don’t fret! That’s what the next step is for!
Step 4: Use transits to backup your claims
Once you have an idea(s) of your pet’s chart, now you can use current transits to validate your guesses. For example, I believed that Turbo had an Aries moon based on his personality and behaviors, that was further validated during the past Aries eclipse season and Mercury retrograde when he was ABSOLUTELY INSANE and EXTREMELY MISCHIEVOUS!!! During this time, his Aries moon would have been activated by the Aries transits (Sun, Mercury, Nodes, & Chiron).
This step might take you a while. In fact, it might even take a year to get the full picture because it would be helpful to have a year’s worth of observations as the planets travel through all 12 signs. I recommend starting with tracking the sun and moon through your pet’s chart.
You can also use events and milestones in your pet’s life to help you determine their chart (this is where the chart rectification technique comes in). While your pet doesn’t have a career and can’t get married–events that an astrologer would use to piece together a human’s chart– there are some events you can consider:
Health: take note of any health changes in your pet, such as illness, injuries, or surgeries. Often, these can be attributed to Saturn, Mars, or 6th house transits
Adoption dates: a pet finding their forever home is definitely significant! This can be attributed to Moon, Venus, or 4th house transits
Changes in the home: whether it's a new pet, baby, or roommate joining the household, your pet’s chart is likely to reflect this change. Look to the Moon, 3rd house (siblings and local environment), and 7th house (partnerships)
Mood and behavior changes: likely due to the Moon, however can be triggered by other planets. Take note of how long the change lasts
If you don’t have a timeframe
This method is a lot more difficult because you don’t have as much information to work with. It also means there is more room for error, so as a warning, don’t get too attached to the idea of your pet’s birth chart. You are most likely wrong, but that doesn’t make it any less fun to think about :)
When I got Salem in 2019, I was told he was likely 3 to 5 years old. I took him to the vet again two years later and was told again that he was likely 3 to 5 years old… so I have no idea when this cat was born! I think Salem is now around 8 years old, which would give him a birth year of 2016. I could use the above method and look at transits to build his chart, but since I’m not even certain on his birth year in the first place, I chose to play the (educated) guessing game.
Yes, I decided to simply make an informed guess on his Sun and Moon signs. Very scientific, I know, but whittling down 12 options to a handful is a lot easier than you think. And remember, you already know their rising sign since it’s based on your 6th house cusp! I have developed this quiz to help you narrow down a few options for your pet’s sign. Start with their sun sign in mind. Your pet’s sun sign will describe them to their core.
Question 1: In the terms of [planetary themes], is your pet more introverted or extroverted?
Introverted
Extroverted
Question 2: In terms of [planetary themes], which describes your pet the most?
Outgoing, brave, initiates play/social interaction, has qualities of a leader
Stubborn, set in their ways, loyal, likes/craves stability
Easygoing, adaptable, likes novelty and variety, intuitive
Question 3: What type of energy does your pet embody?
Sensitive, intuitive, kind, passive
Energetic, outgoing, fiery, excitable
Intelligent, social, curious, communicative
Grounded, stable, calm, pleasure-seeking
Results!
Question 1: If you chose Introverted, your pet is likely Feminine dominant (Water or Earth signs). If you chose Extroverted, your pet is likely Masculine dominant (Fire or Air signs).
Question 2: If you chose A, your pet is likely a Cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn). If you chose B, your pet is likely a Fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). If you chose C, your pet is likely a Mutable sign (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces).
Question 3: If you chose A, your pet is likely a Water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces). If you chose B, your pet is like a Fire sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius). If you chose C, your pet is likely an Air sign (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius). If you chose D, your pet is likely an Earth sign (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).
You can take the quiz again with the moon in mind, so consider how your pet prefers things to be and what makes them feel safe. Then, take the quiz again with Mercury and your pet’s communication style in mind, and so on until you’ve analyzed every placement. If you want to be very realistic, keep in mind that the inner planets (except the moon) tend to move around the zodiac together. For example, it’s impossible to have an Aries Sun and Libra Venus, as Venus is never more than a sign or two away from the sun.
Salem as an example
Salem is a hard one to pin because he’s so mysterious and aloof… which is exactly how a Scorpio comes across! Salem definitely has a watery vibe. I don’t see him as a Fire or Air sign at all, especially now that I have a Fire/Air cat (Turbo).
Salem also loves a stable environment. He wants to know when he’s getting food in his bowl, treats, playtime, cuddle time with his momma, etc. He is very much a creature of habit. This leads me to believe that he could also have Taurus placements, along with his Scorpio placement. I think it makes a lot of sense for his chart to have a strong Taurus–Scorpio axis.
Salem is also deeply intuitive. He always knows what mood I’m in and what I need at any given time. If I have a stomach ache, he comes and lays on my stomach and purrs. If I’m crying, he nuzzles and comforts me. Whenever I’m doing witchy stuff like a moon ritual or a tarot reading, he always comes to hang out. Even as I’m typing this article on pet astrology, he is literally sitting on my lap right now.
Salem and I have a psychic connection, and I definitely consider him my familiar. I have never had an attachment to an animal like this in my life. This leads me to believe that he has SOME Pisces placement. As a Pisces stellium myself, I wouldn’t be surprised if we had this synastry in our charts. Real recognize real, after all.
I don’t believe that Salem is a Gemini rising (based on my chart). I just can’t see him as being a Mercury-ruled cat. I think it’s more likely that he is ruled by Venus because he values his human connections and physical security so much (again, so very Taurus). So, I think he has some mix of Scorpio, Taurus, and Pisces in his chart. Possibly a Taurus rising, Scorpio sun, and Pisces moon… but the verdict is still out.
Conclusion
Well friends, I hope that was a fun read for you and that you have a better idea of your pet’s astrology. My experience with pet astrology has been so fun, between knowing Turbo’s chart and watching it manifest IRL to pondering what Salem’s chart could be. Pet astrology is a great way to connect with your pet, see them through a different perspective, and get more in tune with their needs and behaviors.
What sign is your pet?! Do you need help guessing their sign? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below! ~
<3 Taylor
THIS WAS SO FUN TO READ TAYLOR thank youuuu!!! 😍🪅💓🐈⬛ I appreciate the work that went into this and loved getting to know your little familiars better!!