SinceThe Simsfranchise began in 2000, there have been numerous expansion packs in the mainline series that have introduced a variety of animals. From the introduction of common pets like cats and dogs inThe Sims: Unleashedto theupcoming equine-focused expansionforThe Sims 4, titledHorse Ranch.
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Each animal expansion inThe Simsfranchise has given players a variety of creatures to care for and collect, with some directly benefiting Sim’s lives by livestock providing useful materials or receiving magical help from dragons. Then there are completely random additions like the wandering penguin inThe Sims 2: Seasons.Either way, there have been many expansions to satisfy the animal lovers in the Simmer community.
8The Sims 4: My First Pet Stuff
Following the release ofThe Sims 4: Cats & Dogs, players were met with a stuff pack catered towards small pets, more pet-related items, and clothing for pets and Sims. It’s fair to sayThe Sims 4: My First Pet Stuffwasn’t well received, as many players argued theywere given DLC for their DLC- as in this pack is only beneficial for those who have already purchasedCats & Dogs.
Despite its reception,My First Pet Stuffreintroduces small pets intoThe Sims 4- albeit relatively lightly. Instead of bringing in every small pet of the franchise to date, including reptiles and birds,My First Pet Stufffocuses on hamsters, rats, pygmy hedgehogs, and the miniature Bubalus - an animal based on a best-selling toy in the Sims universe, according to the in-game description.
7The Sims 2: Seasons
The Sims 2: Seasonsintroduced the concept of weather to the franchise, which came withan adorable NPC penguin. The penguin will regularly rock up to lots unannounced - especially during winter or if fish are placed on the ground or mounted somewhere on the lot. Sims can interact with the penguin, and the bird can converse with snowmen, scarecrows, and even the Weathernaught 57X machine.
Gardening was also established inThe Sims 2: Seasons, alongside fishing and bug catching. Sims can catch butterflies and fireflies, a mechanic further expanded inThe Sims 2: Freetimewith the ability to collect spiders and beetles with the Nature hobby.
6The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs
Simmers waited quite a while for pets to be reintroduced inThe Sims 4, starting withCats & Dogs. Instead of going the same route asThe Sims 3and including most animals in one game,Cats & Dogsfocuses on…cats and dogs. There are 123 dog breeds and 49 cat breeds to choose from, and players can crossbreed or make their own breeds in the newly revamped Create-a-Pet. Raccoons and foxes can also be made through presets, with foxes later being introduced as NPCs inThe Sims 4: Cottage Living.
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Themajor selling point ofCats & Dogsis the new Veterinary career, which sees Sims purchase their own vet clinic and be able to work on-site likein The Sims 4: Get To Work. The big difference is that a Sim can own the veterinarian clinic, and they can hire other Sims to work there as employees. Cats and dogs are treated for all sorts of wacky illnesses at the vet, and Sims that own these pets will be prompted to bring them to the clinic once they display symptoms.
5The Sims 4: Cottage Living
WithThe Sims 4: Cottage Living,Sims can live off the landwith various livestock, including chickens, cows, and llamas. Purchased via Buy Mode, Sims look after these animals as they would with pets, but they don’t take up any household slots. By caring for them, Sims will yield materials like eggs, wool, and milk in return.
Wild birds and rabbits can tend to gardens when befriended, and they’ll also offer Sims gifts. Foxes have become NPCs on lots with the “Wild Fox” challenge enabled and will steal eggs if players aren’t careful. However, chickens can be protected by llamas which will spit on the foxes once they enter their enclosure.
4The Sims: Makin' Magic
BeforeThe Sims 4: Realm of Magic, Sims could own actual dragons as pets inThe Sims: Makin’ Magic. Like dogs and cats, these creatures are fully autonomous and can be hatched from eggs. However, unlike conventional pets, Sims can’t name their dragons as they come with preset names and personalities. Burnie the red dragon is more likely to set objects on fire, Pyrite the gold dragon is more likely to set fire to objects when neglected, and Torch the purple dragon is the friendliest and least likely to burn things to a crisp (though they still can if really neglected).
As expected, these supernatural beasts have the capacity to kill Sims by setting them on fire or inadvertently eating Sims that have been turned into toads via the Toadification spell. Dragons can also help Sims in their spellcasting, as they’ll yield special items when interacted with. The supernatural pet will shed dragon scales when groomed and dragon tears when tickled.
3The Sims: Unleashed
Thefirst introduction of petsintoThe Simscame withThe Sims Unleashed,enabling Sims to own cats, dogs, and a variety of small pets, including iguanas, budgies, love birds, parrots, cockatoos, and goldfish. Like Sims in the original series, dogs and cats don’t age past their puppy and kitten stage. Pests also came withUnleashed, including rabbits and gophers that can destroy plants, in addition to a skunk known as Henri LeStanc and a raccoon known as El Bandito.
Unlike the games that came afterUnleashed, pets can only be bought at a pet store due to the absence of Create-a-Pet. Sims can also adopt strays that wander onto a lot, which they can eventually add to their household after building a relationship with them.
2The Sims 2: Pets
Dogs and cats are the main attraction inThe Sims 2: Pets, but they are also joined by small pets like wormrats (guinea pigs) and birds.The Sims 2: Petsis a significant improvement toUnleashed, particularly with the addition of Create-a-Pet, where players can fully customize their animals down to their breed and eye color.
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Pets have three life stages inThe Sims 2(puppy/kitten, adult, and elder); unlikeUnleashed,they can pass away. However, thanks to the generation system introduced in the base game, players can create a lineage of pets to carry on alongside their owners.
1The Sims 3: Pets
The Sims 3: Petsis the pinnacle of animal inclusion inThe Simsfranchise. Horses (and unicorns) are the main attraction in this expansion, with Sims able to ride them around the beautiful neighborhood of Appaloosa Plains and participate in horse riding competitions. Pets are fully controllable inThe Sims 3and act more like Sims, having their own traits, wishes, and life goals. The ability to control cats, dogs, and horses means players can fulfill their needs rather than relying solely on their owners all the time.
Sims can collect lizards, turtles, snakes, and birds inThe Sims 3, including ancient dragons, chameleons, chinchillas, hedgehogs, chipmunks, and pythons.The Sims 3: Petsprovides the most choice of animals in anySimsgame, particularly regarding small pets. NPC animals include deer, wild horses, and the return of raccoons.
