For pet lovers, The Sims 4 has undeniably delivered. With its many expansion packs, the game offers players a vast array of pets to choose from, each with its unique characteristics, behaviors, and challenges. Pets play a significant role in adding joy, companionship, and unpredictability to the lives of Sim families.
However, some pets have a bigger impact on gameplay than others. Depending on how the players want to play, this could be a positive or a negative. Despite this, whether players are looking for a loyal companion, a mischievous sidekick, or a weird and wonderful creature to care for, The Sims 4 has something to cater to everyone.
11 Hamster - My First Pet Stuff
Hamsters are one of four rodents introduced in The Sims 4: My First Pet Stuff pack. Unlike self-sufficient pets, hamsters rely on their owners to provide them with food, maintain a clean and tidy cage, and offer plenty of interaction, so they don't feel lonely. Sims can engage with their hamsters through playtime and conversations, as well as simply observing them live their life.
While hamsters may lack distinctive personalities compared to some other pets, they still remain lovable additions to The Sims 4, offering a delightful source of amusement and companionship for players who appreciate their unique traits and cuddly charm.
10 Rat - My First Pet Stuff
Rats, along with the other rodents in the game, possess a unique ability that sets them apart from the other pets - they can embark on exciting adventures to faraway lands. Every so often, they will venture outside their cages and embark on a journey, only to return home bearing a charming postcard from the places they have visited.
This quirky feature adds a touch of character to these pets, injecting humor and unpredictability into their gameplay. Unfortunately, they don't have as many interactions compared to other pets, making them one of the less engaging pets on this list.
9 Pygmy Hedgehog - My First Pet Stuff
Pygmy hedgehogs are undeniably among the cutest pets in the game, capturing the hearts of players with their adorable appearance and endearing antics. These adorable creatures have their own cozy little habitat designed specifically for their needs, complete with an array of accessories and activities to keep them happily occupied.
It's hard to resist their small size, prickly quills, and sweet expressions. Although they may not have any unique traits that set them apart from the other rodents, their mere presence in the game adds a touch of warmth and charm to any Sim's household, providing countless moments of joy and cuteness for players to enjoy.
8 Bubalus - My First Pet Stuff
Certainly the most unique pet on the list, the Bubalus has been genetically engineered, based on a best-selling plush in The Sims' universe. With the body of a Hippopotamus, the color and spiral shape of a Violet Sea Snail, and the fur, size, and disposition of a Hamster, it certainly makes for a more interesting pet.
However, Sims can interact with it as they would with any other pet rodent, which is quite disappointing, considering how unique the animal is.
7 Birds - Cottage Living
In The Sims 4: Cottage Living expansion pack, players are introduced to wild birds. Players have the opportunity to discover and befriend these feathered creatures in special trees around Henford-on-Bagley, or can attract them by placing a bird habitat on the Sim's lot.
Befriending these birds brings Sims all sorts of bonuses, including valuable gifts and help in their garden! The wild birds will offer their help by eating any bugs around players' plants, and sing to any oversized crops to encourage them to grow larger. Befriending birds can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and they're an incredibly welcome addition to the game.
6 Rabbits - Cottage Living
One of the cutest additions to the game, these little creatures have adorably mischievous personalities that are sure to melt any player's heart. Sims cannot directly add a rabbit to their family like they can with other pets, as they reside in the wild, acting as non-playable characters (NPCs) within the game.
However, Sims can befriend them by offering them gifts. In return, they'll help out in a Sim's garden! Their helpful gardening abilities can assist in maintaining and tending to a Sim's plants, making them incredibly useful to have around. Not only that, but players can dress them in some pretty cute outfits.
5 Chicken - Cottage Living
Cottage Living finally introduced chickens to the game, including chicks, hens, and roosters! As long as players keep their chickens fed and happy, they will produce eggs that can be collected and used for cooking and baking. Additionally, Sims can breed hens and roosters to hatch new chickens for the coop.
Their coop requires regular cleaning, and if the lot has the Wild Foxes lot challenge enabled, wild foxes will show up and try to steal their eggs. Chickens are incredibly cute, and a fun challenge for all players.
4 Cow - Cottage Living
Making their big return in Cottage Living, cows are back in the Sims franchise once more. Players can purchase these delightful animals from a livestock stall, and their Sims can milk them. Similar to other farm animals, players can name them and dress them up in silly outfits.
They can also produce a variety of milk flavors, depending on what treats their Sims feed them. As cute as they are, Sims still need to take care of them. Their barn needs cleaning daily and will need to be brushed to keep them happy. For all the cottage-core fanatics, cows are a welcome addition to the game.
3 Llama - Cottage Living
As the mascot of Sims, fans were delighted when llamas were unexpectedly added to the game in the Cottage Living pack. As one of the most complex animals in the game, players can now raise their very own llama right on their own lot, where they can shear them for wool. This wool can then be sold for an income or used in cross-stitching patterns.
Llamas have plenty of needs, making them one of the more interesting animals to care for. To keep their llamas happy, players will need to brush their llamas to keep them clean, make sure they have plenty of food, and give them lots of love and attention. The happier their llama is, the better quality wool they will produce.
2 Cat - Cats and Dogs
Cats finally made their first appearance in the game with the addition of the Cats and Dogs pack, bringing with them plenty of new gameplay interactions and features. Players will often find that their cats are free-spirits, wandering away from home and exploring the neighborhood. Whilst they're out and about, they are able to hunt down birds, bringing home a plethora of feather collectibles that Sims can decorate their walls with.
However, they can also find themselves getting into trouble whilst exploring, and end up in a fight with a wild animal, resulting in the chance of them becoming sick. Of course, there are plenty of interactions Sims can have with their cats, too. They can cuddle and play with their beloved companions, making them an incredibly welcome member of the family.
1 Dog - Cats and Dogs
The ultimate family pet, dogs have plenty of personality and interactions for players to explore. Coming in both small and large sizes, Sims can interact with their dogs in plenty of ways, such as playing, petting, or taking a walk.
Not only this, Sims can train their dogs to go explore their neighborhood, who will then go search mystery boxes that contain a variety of pet toys and collectibles. Additionally, Sims can teach their dogs plenty of commands and tricks, making them one of the most interesting and interactive pets in the game.
The Sims 4 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.