Pets
Contents
PETS: YOUR TINY SIM COMPANIONS
Life isn’t complete without owning a pet, and now you can also have one (or more) in the world of TSO. Pets can be conveniently purchased (and sold) in Buy Mode under the Paw icon, or you can get them at a player’s Store Lot, from a Pet Store.
The first step is choosing a pet that suits your lifestyle.
Iguanas, turtles, parrots and fish are the cheapest options. They have limited interaction, won’t roam around your lot, require low maintenance and can die if you neglect them. You won’t need any supplies other than their food.
Cats and dogs are a bit more expensive. You will need to buy food bowls, a bed, litter box if you’re getting a kitten, dog bath if you’re getting a puppy and some toys to keep them entertained. Cats and dogs are active pets which actually form relationships with their owners, they require more maintenance and attention, roam freely in the lot and when neglected they will run away or be taken away from you.
You can own as many pets as you want, but there is a limit of 10 active pets (cats and/or dogs) in your lot at any given time.
PET BREEDS
Buying a cat or a dog is always a surprise, since you can’t see what’s in the carrier. There is no way to tell what breed you’re getting untill you name your pet and release it from the carrier. It’s a completely random process.
The only way to get around the surprise factor is to buy your pets from a store, where they will be roaming around and you can see them and play with them.
Currently, there are 17 dog breeds in the game, some rarer than others, the Afghan Hound and the St. Bernard being the rarest.
These are the other breeds of puppies you will find: Beagle, Australian Cattle Dog, Rotteweiler, Golden Retriever, Bulldog, Australian Shepperd, Chihuahua, Greyhound, Poodle, Scottish Terrier, Springer Spaniel, Jack Russel Terrier, Irish Setter, Cairn Terrier and Dalmatian.
Just like dogs, cats also come in 17 breeds, the rarest of them all being the Cheetah and the Tiger. The other breeds are more common, but some are more wanted than others. Here are the possibilities for your kitty’s species: Black and White Calico, Siamese, Bombay Black, Dark Grey Spotted, Multi-Color Calico, Blue Manx, Tortoise Shell, Grey Persian, Maine Coon, Silver Grey Striped, Orange Calico, Sphynx (Hairless), Ragdoll, Orange Tabby and White Long Hair Albino.
PET CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Turtles are the cheapest option for a pet. They cost only $10 but you need to get an aquarium, which costs around $3000. There’s not much to do with turtles, but at least you can hold them.
Iguanas cost around $3000 and they come in their glass cages. Besides feeding, you can hold them and play with them.
Parrots are a nice addition to any house and have their advantages. They only require food and some clean up, you can practice your Charisma by talking to them, and your dog or cat will have fun just by staring at them. They cost around $5000 if bought in Buy Mode.
Fish cost $15 and the bowl costs around $3000. You can feed them, clean them and watch them. Not a very exciting pet, but it makes for a nice decorative item.
After buying your cat or dog and before releasing it from its carrier, you will have the chance to name it. Only then your pet will come out and you will see what kind of breed it is.
Cats and dogs require much more than food to be happy so be ready to spend some extra Simoleans on your furry friends. Litter box, toys, dog bath, food bowls, scratching posts and comfy beds all cost money but will help your pets stay busy and happy.
PET NEEDS
Cats and dogs have specific needs just like your Sim: Fun, Social, Hygiene, Energy, Hunger and Bladder. You must pay special attention to your pet’s actions and thought baloons in order to know what they need.
Fun: Cats have fun by watching the Parrot, playing with the scratching post or toys. Dogs love to play with Sims, but they might also stop to watch the Parrot.
Social: Your recently bought pets will come home with a very low social meter. Give them lots of attention so they feel welcome. A pet in need of a social boost will do silly things to get your attention. Interacting with other pets also helps.
Hygiene: No problem with the cats, since they clean themselves, but a dog will need frequent baths. Watch for signs of scratching on your dog.
Energy: Pets usually sleep twice a day, so provide them a nice bed for them to rest in.
Hunger: Cats and dogs will look for their food bowls when they’re hungry. Keep their bowls clean and with fresh food and they won’t have to look for your trash can.
Bladder: While a cat will instinctively learn how to use the littler box, you will need to housebreak your dog so he doesn’t make a mess in your house.
HOUSEBREAKING
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 so he knows he did well. If your dog ‘goes’ in the house, scold him.
Proper use of “Praise” and “Scold” over time will teach your pet where to relieve his bladder. Cats and dogs will also remember who is nice to them and who isn’t, so they will have different reactions to Sims according to the way they act towards them.
PET INTERACTION
You can “Play With” your pet in different ways. You can “Pet” your cat or dog by holding them in your arms and stroking them (a favorite of all, but especially of more quiet pets), or you can “Wrestle” them in a series of tickling and grabbing.
Parrots have some interactions available when it comes to entertaining: “Talk”, “Sing” and “Dance”.
Playing with your pet will always leave you and him in a better mood.