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The Sims 4 Pets: Cats and Dogs DLC

Guide & Expansion Pack Features

The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs will bring pets to the game on November 10, 2017. While the usual 'pets' pack will not include horses this time around, it does attempt to bring loads of detail to the two featured pet types. Below you'll find a list of many new additions you'll receive with the Cats and Dogs Expansion. It's not an exhaustive list of new stuff, but does give you a good idea of the main gameplay you'll get if you buy the pack.

Pets Guides (UPDATED)

I'm just getting started on these because my review copy came late through no fault of the Sims team. For now we have:

A Guide to Adopting, Caring for, and Training Pets
Pet Traits New
Veterinary Clinic Guide New
Veterinarian Skill New
Veterinarian: Pet Sicknesses and Cures List New
a guide to making a mixed breed in cats and dogs.

Cats and Dogs DLC Features

Create-a-Pet

Click to Enlarge. Create-a-Pet

The new DLC features a fully functional Create-a-Pet system. While using it, you'll have all the tools and options you need to customize your Sims' pets. Common Dog and cat breeds are available to choose from, and you can further customize the look of your companion animals. Each pet takes up one slot in the household (max 7 with one Sim). Pets can be made from a young age (kitten/puppy), natural or neutered. Since every pet is unique, you can also select traits for your dog or cat which will influence their behavior.

Cats and Dogs can made to be mixed breed - I've made a small guide to how to do it here.

Playing with Cats and Dogs

Click to Enlarge. A cat and puppy from the game's trailer.

Aside from making a cat or dog in Create-a-Pet, you can also adopt one using your Sim's phone. During the adoption process you can actually screen pets and choose whether you'll decide to adopt them if you like the animal.

Pets will liven up Sims' lives in a number of ways. First, you will have to care for them, for example walk dogs, feed them and take them to the vet when they're sick, else they can be taken away. Kids who do this will gain responsibility from the Parenting pack.

Click to Enlarge. A dalmatian having fun with his owner in the park.

You can't control your pets, but you can teach them. Pets can be trained and your Sims will build up relationships with them in the process. Is the cat shredding furniture? Scold it and teach it not to do that, and it'll gradually stop using this behavior. Housebreak your dogs and teach them to go outside. Many players seem to like this feature, as it's more realistic than giving the player the ability to control what the pet does. You can't see their moods, you can only check how they're doing.

The new presence of animals in the Sim household will blend in perfectly with the base game and other expansion packs. For example, Pets can travel with you to Granite Falls or Sixam should you wish to have them along for the trip.

Pets can get pregnant, and can be encouraged to breed. If you fail to have your pet neutered, they may run away and come back pregnant. They'll run away regardless, but you can prevent 'surprises'. Pregnancy can result in 1-3 puppies or kittens, depending on household space and randomness. When pets get pregnant, it's possible to sell the puppies or kittens. Adult animals can be put up for adoption if you no longer want them.

Veterinarian and Pet Training Skill

Click to Enlarge. The new veterinarian career lets you care for cats and dogs by either playing one, or taking your sick pet to be cured. Pets can only die of old age in the Expansion.

New paintings and new clothing and hair styles are also in the Expansion

There's a new Pet Training skill you can use to teach your pet tricks and useful abilities. Should you wish to further specialize in caring for animals, you can try the new Veterinarian career and do it for a living. Playing a Veterinarian is a lot like owning a business. You'll have to staff it, and manage treatments of animals. Customers will judge you based on employee impressions, the level of care and your efficiency. You can customize your veterinary business by using perk points.

New treatments unlock as your Sim gains levels in the Veterinary skill, which is separate from owning a veterinary clinic. There's actually some viable money-making opportunity in creating special pet treats, which can be sold from the Sim's inventory. You can actually treat your own pets if you purchase veterinary equipment for your home ,though they are big and expensive. It may be helpful as a time-saver if you have many pets, though most players will opt to have the medicine crafting lab instead of a full-blown surgery machine costing many thousands. Special treats can be given to your pets, including one that acts as ambrosia and will bring pets back to life. You can also make them immortal, by producing age down potions for when they become elders.

Click to Enlarge. Brindleton Bay, the new neighborhood in The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs

A new world is featured in the DLC - Brindleton Bay, and it's got a beautiful New England look. New lot traits have been included in the pack as well - Training spot, cat/dog friendly, dog spot and cat spot. There are new collectibles (features) aspirations for Sims to pursue, and Sim traits. Naturally the pack also features plenty of new build/buy mode objects that can be used to accent your Sim's home or vet office. Some of these are interactive, such as the vending machine and medicine crafting table.

Overall there's quite a bit of new content in the Expansion that can't be listed here just yet. I'll dig into the gameplay the weekend of release and work on guides for cats and dogs, the veterinarian and any Sim skills.

Cats and Dogs Trailer

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