The Sims 4 offers a vibrant life simulation experience where players can craft and live out their dream stories. For those looking to enrich their Sims’ lives with companionship and fun, the Sims 4: Cats & Dogs expansion pack opens up a world of adorable pets. Adding a pet to your Sim family brings a new layer of gameplay, from playful interactions to heartwarming bonds. If you’re wondering how to bring a cat or dog into your Sims 4 household, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through all the ways you can get a pet in Sims 4, ensuring you find the perfect furry companion for your Sims.
Method 1: Creating a Pet in Create-A-Sim
For players who have a specific vision for their pet, or want complete control over their animal’s traits and appearance from the very beginning, using the Create-A-Sim (CAS) menu is the perfect option. This method allows you to design your pet from scratch, ensuring they are exactly what you envisioned for your Sim family.
To start, when you are in the world selection screen or managing households, look for the “Add a Sim” icon located in the bottom left corner of your screen. Clicking this will bring up several options, and you should select “Add a Pet.”
Once you’ve chosen to add a pet, you’ll be presented with the choice to create either a cat or a dog. Selecting either of these options will generate a randomized feline or canine, which you can then fully customize. This is where the fun truly begins. You can personalize almost every aspect of your new pet, including:
- Breed: Choose from a wide variety of breeds, from common favorites to more unique types.
- Age: Decide if you want a playful puppy or kitten, an adult pet, or a wise elder.
- Gender and Pronouns: Select your pet’s gender and preferred pronouns for a truly inclusive experience.
- Name: Give your pet a unique and fitting name that reflects their personality.
- Voice: Choose a voice that matches your pet’s breed and temperament.
- Relationships: Define your pet’s initial relationships with other Sims in the household.
- Traits: Select traits that will shape your pet’s behavior and personality, making them unique within your Sim family.
- Appearance: Customize their physical attributes to your liking. You can adjust fur color, patterns, eye color, body shape, and much more, allowing for incredibly detailed and personalized pets.
For those seeking even more customization, the “Mixed Breed” option takes pet creation to another level. When you choose to create a mixed breed, you can select which breeds were combined to create your pet. This choice significantly influences their appearance and even their potential behavior, offering a deeper level of personalization. Experiment with different breed combinations to create truly unique and special pets.
If you’re not completely satisfied with your mixed breed creation, or any pet for that matter, don’t worry. You can always further adjust their traits and appearance before finalizing and adding them to your game. For players looking to add a pet to an already established household, you can access CAS through the “Manage World” option in the pause menu. Select your desired lot, then click “Manage Household,” and you will find the option to add a pet through Create-A-Sim.
Method 2: Adopting a Pet Through Adoption Agency
If you prefer a more immersive and in-game approach to getting a pet, adopting through the in-game adoption agency is a fantastic choice. This method simulates a real-life adoption process, adding a touch of realism to your gameplay.
To adopt a pet, your Sim needs to interact with either a computer or a phone. On a computer, select the “Household” option and then choose “Adopt.” Alternatively, using a phone, go to the “Home” option and select “Call Adoption Agency.” Both methods will lead you to the same adoption interface.
After initiating the adoption process, you will be prompted to choose whether you want to adopt a cat or a dog. Once you’ve made your selection, you will be presented with a selection of available pets ready for adoption. Browse through the different animals, each with their own picture and brief description, to find a pet that captures your Sim’s heart.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect pet, confirm your adoption. An Adoption Agent will then arrive at your Sim’s home, bringing your new furry family member with them. Adopting a pet through the agency does come with a small fee of 200 Simoleons. However, this is a small price to pay for the immense joy and companionship a pet will bring to your Sims’ lives.
Method 3: Adopting a Stray Animal
For players who enjoy a more spontaneous and heartwarming approach, adopting a stray animal is an incredibly rewarding experience. The Sims 4 world is populated with stray cats and dogs wandering around neighborhoods, and these animals are just waiting to befriend a kind Sim and find a forever home.
To adopt a stray, your Sim needs to first build a friendship with the animal. When you encounter a stray you wish to adopt, click on the animal and have your Sim interact with it. Engage in friendly interactions such as petting, talking to, and playing with the stray. Continue these interactions over time to gradually increase your Sim’s friendship level with the stray.
Adopting a stray dog in The Sims 4
As your friendship grows, new interaction options will become available. Once your Sim has become good friends with the stray, the option to “Adopt” the stray will appear in the interaction menu. Select this option, and the stray will officially become a member of your Sim’s household. Adopting a stray is free, making it a budget-friendly way to add a pet to your Sim family, and it adds a lovely element of surprise and heartwarming narrative to your game.
Caring for Your New Pet
No matter which method you choose to get a pet in Sims 4, remember that owning a pet is a significant responsibility in the game. Once you bring a pet home, ensure your Sims dedicate time to care for their new companion. This includes providing food, water, attention, and training. Building a strong bond with your pet will unlock even more fun interactions and ensure a happy and fulfilling life for your furry friend in The Sims 4.
Adding a pet to your Sims 4 family opens up a wealth of new gameplay possibilities and heartwarming moments. Whether you meticulously create your perfect pet in CAS, adopt through the agency, or welcome a stray into your home, you’re sure to find endless joy in watching your Sims interact with their new animal companions. So go ahead, explore these methods, and get ready to welcome a furry friend into your Sims 4 world!
