How to Adopt a Virtual Pet

Virtual pets exploded onto the scene in the mid 1990s with the introduction of Bandai's Tamagotchi keychain-sized virtual pet. Virtual pets now occupy many shapes and forms and have evolved into much more realistic pets. Adopting a virtual pet is fairly simple once you determine the basics of the type of pet you'd like to care for.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer, Nintendo DS or iPod Touch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine what kind of pet you'd like to adopt. Perhaps you'd like to adopt a puppy or kitten. Perhaps you'd like something more exotic such as a sloth, llama or guinea pig.

    • 2

      Determine what platform you'd like your virtual pet to be on. There are numerous different ways of adopting pets, be it on your computer, your portable Nintendo DS or even your iPod. The platform you choose will determine the portability of your pet as well limit the available pets for adoption.

    • 3

      Determine how much you'd like to pay for your virtual pet. Many web sites allow for free virtual pet adoption. As of 2009, iPod offerings range from free to $9.99, while Nintendo DS virtual pets can be up to $30.

    • 4

      Upon choosing the who, what and how, adopting your virtual pet is as simple as firing up the game, application or website. You will be able to name and customize your pet to a certain degree. Each different pet has different needs and expresses those needs differently so pay close attention to their habits and behaviors to determine when they are hunger or when they are hungry. Taking proper care of your virtual pet is the key to long-lasting virtual life together.