Digital pet facts for kids

A digital pet (also known as a virtual pet or an artificial pet) is a type of pet that lives only inside a computer or a special device. Unlike real animals, you can't touch or cuddle a digital pet, but you can still care for it and watch it grow. Many people enjoy having digital pets as a fun way to experience pet ownership without the mess or big responsibility of a real animal. A well-known game featuring digital pets is Nintendogs.

What Are Digital Pets?

Digital pets are computer programs designed to act like living creatures. They can be found in many forms, such as:

• Special handheld devices, like the original Tamagotchi.
• Games on computers or video game consoles.
• Apps on smartphones and tablets.
• Websites where you can adopt and care for virtual creatures.

These pets need your attention to thrive. You usually have to feed them, play with them, clean up after them, and sometimes even teach them tricks. If you don't take care of them, they might become sad, sick, or even "run away" or "pass away" in the game.

Why Do People Have Digital Pets?

There are many reasons why kids and adults enjoy having digital pets:

• Easy to Care For: They don't require real food, vet visits, or walks. This makes them perfect for people who can't have a real pet due to allergies, small living spaces, or busy schedules.
• Learning Responsibility: Caring for a digital pet can teach you about responsibility and commitment. You learn that your actions (or lack of actions) have consequences for your pet.
• Fun and Entertainment: Digital pets offer a lot of fun activities, from playing mini-games with them to dressing them up in different outfits.
• Companionship: Even though they aren't real, many people feel a connection to their digital pets and enjoy the feeling of having a companion.
• No Mess: Unlike real pets, digital pets don't make any mess, shed fur, or cause damage to your home.

Types of Digital Pets

Digital pets have evolved a lot since they first appeared. Here are some main types:

Handheld Digital Pets

These were some of the first popular digital pets. They are small, portable devices with a screen and a few buttons.

• Tamagotchi: Released in 1996, the Tamagotchi was one of the most famous handheld digital pets. It was an egg-shaped device where you raised a creature from birth. You had to feed it, play with it, discipline it, and clean up its waste.
• Digimon: Similar to Tamagotchi, Digimon devices also allowed you to raise a creature, but they focused more on battling other Digimon.

Computer and Console Digital Pets

Many video games let you interact with digital pets on larger screens.

• Nintendogs: This game for the Nintendo DS console, released in 2005, let players adopt and care for virtual puppies. You could pet them using the touch screen, teach them tricks, and take them for walks.
• Neopets: Launched in 1999, Neopets is a website where you can create and care for virtual creatures called Neopets. You can play games, explore a virtual world, and customize your pets.
• Petz series: Games like Dogz and Catz allowed players to adopt and interact with virtual dogs and cats on their computers.

Mobile App Digital Pets

With the rise of smartphones, many digital pet games became available as apps.

• Pou: This app lets you care for a brown, blob-like alien pet. You feed it, play with it, and customize its appearance.
• My Talking Tom: In this app, you adopt a virtual cat named Tom. You can talk to him, play games, and help him grow.

How Do You Care for a Digital Pet?

Caring for a digital pet usually involves a few common activities:

• Feeding: Your pet will get hungry and need virtual food.
• Playing: Playing games with your pet keeps it happy and can help it grow or learn new skills.
• Cleaning: Some pets might make virtual messes that you need to clean up.
• Training: You might be able to teach your pet tricks or improve its behavior.
• Customizing: Many games let you change your pet's appearance with different outfits or accessories.
• Health: Sometimes your pet might get "sick" and need virtual medicine or attention.

The goal is often to keep your pet happy and healthy, watching it evolve or reach new stages.

A robot that could be a digital pet.

The Future of Digital Pets

As technology advances, digital pets are becoming more realistic and interactive. With virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), you might soon be able to see and interact with your digital pet in ways that feel even more real. These advancements could make digital pets even more popular and engaging for future generations.

See also

In Spanish: Mascota virtual para niños