Pets (animal)

Pets in The Sims
Although guinea pigs and fish could be obtained before Unleashed was released, it was that expansion pack that really increased the number of pets that Sims could buy. As well as many small pets, Sims could purchase cats and dogs as well, choosing from many different breeds. Adopting a pet can help your Sim at home, especially if they live alone. Dogs can bring the newspaper in every morning if trained, whilst cats can chase away rabbits and gophers from your vegetable patch.

Like human Sims, pets have different motives that will need fulfilling, and each have different personalities. For example, a lazy cat isn't about to do a great deal of wandering around, and an aggressive dog might not like you pampering it all day. Pets don't necessarily need to be bought, though; if there are stray cats or dogs wandering around your neighborhood and you make friends with them, you can adopt them absolutely free, although this can take time.

House Breaking

It takes time, but your pet needs to learn what it can and can't do. In the case of dogs, the first step is to teach them not to relieve itself in the house. Wait until your dog has to go (toilet thought bubble), step outside the house and call him. Your dog should come to you and relieve himself outdoors. When this happens, praise your dog and give him a treat, so he knows he did well. If your dog 'goes' in the house, scold him. The proper use of 'Praise' and 'Scold' over time will teach your pet where to relieve his bladder, as well as keeping him out of certain rooms. Fortunately, cats will automatically 'go' in the litter box as long as you have one.

Breeding

If you want more little bundles of fur running around your house, you might want to consider breeding your pets. But remember, each pet will take up a family slot, and you can only have a total of eight pets and people in one house.Obviously, the basic thing you need is two pets of the same species and different sexes. But you can't just make them breed on command, and just like people they will need to get to know each other. If they misbehave with one another, use 'Scold' so they learn to get along. Having only one pet bed in the house is a strategy used to force them to snuggle in the same one, something that will give their relationship a big boost.

After a while of getting along, you will eventually get a message asking if you want to go through with the breeding process. Just like having a Sim baby, a new item appears, and you will have a little maternity tent where your dog or cat mommy-to-be will be staying for the next few days. You don't have to take care of the puppy or kitten, but you do have to take care of the mother, since her mood will reflect on her baby. It will take three Sim days for the kitten or puppy to mature, and once it does you will be given the option to keep it or sell it.

Pet Shows

To participate in a pet show, you take your pets to an Old Town lot and enter the competition. If there's a Judging Station in a lot, a Pet Judge will come up to you and ask if you want to enter the competition. Pets are judged according to their skills and their mood at the time, so make sure your pet's needs are taken care of before leaving the house. There are various trophies and ribbons that can be won, which can be taken home and placed on the Pet Award Cabinet.