Pets in Stardew Valley bring an extra layer of charm and companionship to your farming life, making your virtual home feel even cozier. Imagine a loyal dog bounding happily around your farm or a cat gracefully napping by the fireplace. These furry friends offer more than just adorable animations; they become a heartwarming part of your daily routine in the game. If you’re wondering how to bring one of these delightful creatures to your farm, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a pet in Stardew Valley and how to care for them.
Bringing a Pet to Your Farm: Adoption Guide
Adopting a pet in Stardew Valley is a straightforward process, but it does require meeting a couple of initial conditions. Early in your Stardew Valley journey, during character creation, you’ll have a chance to express whether you prefer cats or dogs. This initial choice subtly influences the type of pet Marnie will bring to your farm later on. However, the crucial step to unlocking pet adoption is financial.
Before you can welcome a furry friend, you need to accumulate at least 1000 Gold. This milestone signals to the game that you’re ready to expand your farm life to include a pet. Once you’ve reached this amount, and when the game clock reaches the first sunny Wednesday or Friday morning of Spring, be sure to exit your Farmhouse between 6:00 AM and 9:30 AM. This triggers a special cutscene where Marnie, the local animal lover, will visit your farm. She’ll arrive at your doorstep with either a dog or a cat, ready to become a part of your Stardew Valley family. Even if you haven’t quite reached the 1000 Gold mark by the 20th of Spring, don’t worry! The pet adoption event is guaranteed to trigger by this date, ensuring everyone gets a chance to have a pet companion.
When Marnie arrives with your new pet, you’ll be given the important task of naming them. Choose wisely, as this name is permanent and cannot be changed in the game. Adopting a pet is entirely optional. If, for any reason, you decide that now isn’t the right time for a pet, you have the option to decline Marnie’s offer. However, for those seeking extra companionship on their farm, saying yes opens up a heartwarming aspect of Stardew Valley.
Caring for Your Stardew Valley Pet
Once you’ve welcomed a pet onto your farm, building a bond with them is all about love and attention. Stardew Valley pets have a Friendship level that goes up to a maximum of 1000 points, reflecting how close you are to your furry companion.
One of the primary ways to show your pet affection and increase your friendship is by petting them. Each day, make sure to click on your dog or cat to pet them, which will increase your friendship points by 12. Consistent daily petting is a simple yet effective way to deepen your bond. Once you reach the maximum Friendship level of 1000 points, a sweet message will appear: “[Pet’s Name] loves you ♡.” This signifies the strongest bond you can achieve with your pet.
While feeding isn’t a requirement for pets in Stardew Valley, providing them with water is another way to show you care and further boost your friendship. You’ll find a water bowl for your pet located in the top-left area, near your Farmhouse. Interacting with this bowl to water it each day will increase friendship points by 6. On rainy days, you get a little break as the pet’s water bowl automatically fills up, making pet care a little easier when the weather is wet.
Having a pet in Stardew Valley adds a delightful dimension to the game. They are not just decorative; they respond to your affection and become a true part of your farm family, enriching your gameplay experience with their presence and unconditional virtual love.
