Bladder

Bladder is a basic motive (also known as a "need") for Sims, pets and other life states in The Sims series. The bladder motive gradually decreases throughout the day, but is also decreased when eating or drinking. Using a toilet or other designated object causes the bladder motive to rise (i.e. relieves the need). If bladder is ignored, it will eventually become urgently low, and an accident can occur if the need is not resolved soon enough.

Function
Bladder motive decreases naturally throughout the day, and can only be increased by going to the toilet. For males, the level of the bladder meter controls whether they sit or stand while using the toilet. In The Sims and The Sims 2, upgrading to a better toilet can let Sims boost Comfort if they sit while relieving themselves. If a Sim's bladder starts to get full, they become extremely cranky; when it gets to the red, they make a wild dash for the toilet with urgency, and if they can't get there in time, the poor Sim has an embarrassing accident on the floor, which will severely affect the Sim's Hygiene bar. In The Sims and The Sims 2, drinking a cup of coffee can make the bladder meter decrease. In The Sims 3 and The Sims 4, drinking anything decreases the bladder meter. If Sims do not flush the toilet, it can eventually become clogged, resulting in a mess that someone will have to clean up.

In The Sims 2,3, and 4, Sims have to train toddlers in order to let them use the potty by themselves. They will wet themselves if not potty trained. An older Sim can click on the potty chair and potty train the toddler.

As a rule, community lots will have public toilets of some sort. In The Sims 2, Knowledge Sims and/or neat Sims may occasionally have a minor fear of using a public toilet. "Having an accident" is a fear in The Sims 2, though it takes away more influence than aspiration.

In The Sims 2, outgoing and sloppy Sims are also able to "use" shrubs and the AquaGreen Hydroponic Garden to relieve their bladder needs. Sloppy Sims will also pee while taking a shower if their bladder need is low enough. Sims that wet themselves during a party will get the "Had an Accident at a Party" memory.

In The Sims 2, elder Sims will take longer to use the toilet than adults do, and their bladder motive will decay more quickly. Pregnancy will also cause a Sim's bladder motive to decay more quickly.

Associated memories
In The Sims 2, bladder failure can be associated with two negative memories.

The Sims 3
In The Sims 3, the Steel Bladder lifetime reward makes it so that Sim who purchased it no longer has to use the bathroom again. Sims will wet themselves if the "Really has to Pee" moodlet expires and gain an "Embarrassed" moodlet for wetting themselves, which gives -20 mood for 3 hours; and their hygiene drops to 0.

The Sims 4
In The Sims 4 Sims will likewise wet themselves when the "Really Has To Go" moodlet expires, and will then get the "Peed Self" moodlet and be Very Embarrassed for 4 hours. Sims that wet themselves in a swimming pool get a special positive moodlet instead.

In The Sims 4, the Steel Bladder Lifetime Reward prevents the bladder need from going down normally. It is still possible for the meter to go down by drinking.

Bladder and other Life States

 * For SimBots, the equivalent of bladder is Waste Buildup. Servos and Plumbots do not have a bladder motive.
 * PlantSims do not have a bladder motive.
 * Mummies do not have a bladder motive.
 * Vampires do not have a bladder motive.

Trivia

 * The Sims Medieval does not feature the bladder meter. Instead, a Sim using a chamberpot gains a temporary buff.
 * In The Sims 2: Pets Werewolves can use the Howl interaction to lower non-werewolves' bladder needs.