Introducing a 5th Neopet to the family

     On the 19th day of Collecting, Y19, the world of Neopia was gifted with a splendid new opportunity; being able to add a fifth pet to our already existing families. Neopians far and wide were delighted by the news, and many of us rushed to either create a new Neopet of our own or adopt a lonely pet from the pound.

     Adding a fifth pet to any existing family is not to be taken lightly however, and there are many things to keep in mind, so I decided to write up this handy little guide to help navigate the ups and downs of a brand new addition to your family.

     1) Things to Consider

     There are a number of things to consider if you are thinking of adding a fifth pet to your brood. One of the most important things to remember is how they will get along with the rest of your Neopets. It would be a good idea to have a chat with the rest of your pets to let them know of the new addition, so that it will not come as a shock when they stroll into their Neohome and see a strange pet playing with one of their plushies! Your other pets may have many different reactions to the idea of adding a new pet to the family. Some might be happy and excited and looking forward to having a new brother or sister. Others might feel a little jealous or defensive and might be afraid that you will give all of your attention to the new pet. Let them know that this is not the case, and that each pet of yours has a special place in your heart.

     Another handy tip to make your new pet feel safe and comfortable is to prepare a little space of their own in your home. Perhaps you could purchase a bed or armchair especially for them, and furnish a little corner of your Neohome to cater to their needs. Fill it up with toys, decorations and perhaps a sweet picture frame so that they will feel welcome.

     Also, stock up on a variety of food, books, toys and grooming items. Until you and your new pet get to know each other a little better, it’s a good idea to have a few different items so that you can learn what your pet likes and dislikes.

     2) Choosing a Pet

     Now that you’ve prepared for the welcoming of a new Neopet, it is time to actually choose your pet! This is certainly not an easy decision, unless you have already been thinking about this subject for years.

     The first thing to decide is whether to adopt a pet from the pound or create a new pet yourself. It is always a good idea to have a look in the pound to see if there are any pets you would like to take home with you. Remember that these pets have probably been in there for a long time and would like nothing more than for you to be their new owner. However, if perhaps you had a special name already picked out, or perhaps you have been thinking about getting a particular species of Neopets which you have not yet seen at the pound, you can go ahead and create your own. When creating a new pet, you have the opportunity to start from scratch, choosing an original name, colour, attributes etc.

     Whether you are choosing a pet from the pound or creating one yourself, remember that it is your responsibility as an owner to love and care for your pets so make sure to choose or create a pet that you will care for. If you are finding it difficult to choose which species of Neopet you would like (as there are so many cute ones to choose from) perhaps you can head to the Rainbow Pool and see what colours you like for a particular species.

     3) Focusing on goals

     Now that you have chosen your desired pet and they are settling in comfortably with your other pets, you may choose to think of the goals you and your new pet would like to achieve. There are a variety of different opportunities available in Neopia, and having a goal to work towards makes your pet’s life more exciting.

     Many people’s first goal is to work towards a particular paint brush which really fits with your Neopet’s personality, a fashionable customisation that will make them stand out, and a cute little Petpet to match. All of these things cost quite a few Neopoints however, so get ready to play quite a few games.

     Other goals which your pet can work towards include earning a shiny trophy for their lookup, such as the Gourmet Food Club award, the Pet Spotlight award, or the Beauty Contest award. If earning trophies is not what you’re interested in, you can improve your pet’s stats by getting them in fighting shape and ready for the Battledome at either the Mystery Island Training School or the Krawk Island Academy. Your pet more of a bookworm? How about reading all the books you can find and increasing their intelligence, so that you may have a genius of your own someday. I have no doubt that you will be able to find something of interest for you and your new pet to do.

     4 ) Love, love, love!

     Of course the most important thing of all is to shower your new pet with all the love you can, and show them how much you care for them. But, don’t forget to give the rest of your pets plenty of love too so that nobody feels left out. Your new pet might need some time to adjust to a big, brand new family with everyone’s different quirks and characteristics, but they will feel welcome in no time if they know that they are just as much a part of the family as everyone else, and that they are truly loved by you.

     And with that, I wish you the best of luck with your new pet!