People reffering dogs and cats as "animals" or "pets"

I wanted to post about this on the pet peeve subreddit on my other account but honestly it's just better if I rant about it here.

I get that cats and dogs are animals and pets, but "cats and dogs" is not long or hard to say, yet people will still use words like "animals" and "pets". "This hospital is for animals! Oh... a snake? Um, we only accept cats and dogs. Sorry". "Bring your pet to my party! What are you doing? Why would you bring your hamster? I was thinking more like dogs!" "I love animals! Can you show me pics of your pets? Eeeww lizards... Fish? Boring... Axolotles? Creepy! I thought you were going to show me cats."