Summary
For pet lovers,The Sims 4has undeniably delivered in recent years. With its many expansion packs, the game offers players a vast array of pets to choose from, each with its own 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 4has something to cater to everyone.
Updated May 12, 2025 by Stephanie Harris:The Sims 4 has continued to up its animal expansion game in recent times, with the release of the Horse Ranch expansion in 2023. Not only did this expansion add new pets in the form of horses, but also added significantly to the lifestyle options for animal owners in the game, with new outfits, build mode options, and furniture items too. As such, this list has been updated to include all of that new content.
13Hamsters
My First Pet Stuff
Hamstersare one of four rodents introduced inThe 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 by simply observing them live their life.
While hamstersmay lack distinctive personalitiescompared to some other pets, they still remain lovable additions toThe Sims 4, offering a delightful source of amusement and companionship for players who appreciate their unique traits and cuddly charm.
12Rats
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, returning 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 interactionscompared to other pets, making them one of the less engaging pets on this list.
11Pygmy Hedgehogs
Pygmy hedgehogsare 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 andcharm to any Sim’s household, providing countless moments of joy and cuteness for players to enjoy.
10Bubalus
Certainly the most unique pet on the list, theBubalushas been genetically engineered, based on a best-selling plush inThe 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 only interact with it as they would with any other pet rodent, which is quite disappointing,considering how uniquethe animal is.
9Birds
Cottage Living
InThe Sims 4: Cottage Livingexpansion pack,players are introduced towild 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 a very welcome addition to the game.
8Rabbits
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 arabbitto 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 themby 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.
7Chickens
Cottage Livingfinally introducedchickensto 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 make for a fun challenge for all players.
6Cows
Making their big return inCottage Living,cowsare back in theSimsfranchise 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 their cows and dress them up in silly outfits.
Cows 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 an exciting addition to the game.
5Mini Goats And Sheep
Horse Ranch
Mini Goats and Sheepare purchasable for all players with theHorse Ranchexpansion pack and can be found online or on the Ranch community board. These cute animals require a similar amount of care to other pets in the game, with feeding and cleaning as priorities. Playing with or petting the mini goats and sheep counts towards meeting their need for attention.
Mini goats and sheep also have distinct advantages for players, especially those who take on lifestyle challenges. Goats produce milk and can help players in the garden, while sheep can be sheared for their wool, a resource that can be sold or used for crafting.
4Llamas
As the mascot ofThe Sims, fans were delighted whenllamaswere unexpectedly added to the game in theCottage Livingpack. As one of the most complex animals in the game, players can now raise their very own llama right on their 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 them 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.
