Sims 2: Pets offers a variety of animals, customization features, uploading and downloading options, accessories, and even careers for your furry friends. Select from 22 dog and 15 cat breeds such as Retriever or Maine Coon, birds, and guinea pigs from pet stores, through the adoption service on your Sim's phone, from the street, or in the "Create-a-Family" mode. To develop your special pet, select a species, gender, color, ear length, eye color, body type, face shape, markings, personalities, and name. You can create a unique animal for any of your existing families in your virtual neighborhood.
After you have made your selection, you can pamper your pet with a variety of accessories including toys, beds, dishes, clothing, and more, or put your furry companion to work in such careers as movie star, rescue worker, or elite security guard. Pets have wants and requirements similar to your human Sims including social and playtime wants, needs like food, something to chew, a scratch able surface, a place to potty, and time to rest. Just as in real life it is your Sim's responsibility to keep a pet happy by feeding and watering it, playing with it, showing it love, going to the park, or teaching it tricks such as sit, stay, and fetch.
Visit the ever-expanding downtown area to purchase treats for your pet, and unlock animals and items by completing objectives within the game. Animals need to be disciplined from time to time for actions such as chewing a favorite shoe or scratching up the couch, but with the right training, a chew toy, and a scratching post, those irritating habits should no longer affect your belongings.