A Guide to Achieving the Perfect Goth Pet!

     To start, you'll have to pick which one of your Neopets will become goth.

     Fortunately, this style can work with every species of pet! Anyone can be goth if they feel it deep down in their sorrowful soul.

     Colour

     One of the most vital elements of your Neopet's goth transformation is going to be its colour. This will provide the base from which you devise your pets backstory and overall appearance going forward. If you keep an open mind, there's a lot of different colour options for a goth pet to choose from!

     A Grey or Shadow pet are obvious choices for those interested in this dark aesthetic. However, colours like Darigan, Halloween, Ghost, Wraith, Skunk, Mutant, Zombie, and even Stealthy can make your gothic pet more interesting. Try to decide what themes you like most about goth culture, be it the horror aspect, spiritual elements, or just the colour black, and incorporate those into your final decision. Be creative, but remember, Disco painted pets aren't gonna cut it here!

     Style

     A goth pet's most important element is its customization. How will other Neopians know the pain and darkness lurking inside if your pet can't express it through their fashion choices?

     Begin with a background that conveys your pet's personality and sets a theme for the rest of the outfit. Is your pet the kind of goth that broods in a dark basement library, surrounded only by candlelight? Or does she like wandering the streets of Neopia during its dreariest, rainiest days? Surround your pet with their favoured environment!

     Next, choose clothing that reflects the lifestyle of your pet. A Long Gothic Dress dress is fitting of a classy Neopet who enjoys hosting dinner parties in her enormous mansion that last well into the night, while a Spirit of Slumbers Collectors Cloak might better suit a vampire pet who spends her time lurking alone in the graveyards of the haunted woods.

     Use makeup and accessories to give some final flare your pets look. Sparkling Multi-Strand Gothic Necklaces, Gothic Lace Facepaint, Black Lace Gloves, it's all about black! Don't forget, there are plenty of black wigs and hats to choose from. No need for your pets head to be as cold as their heart!

     Books

     So now your pet can walk the walk, but can they talk the talk? Visit the Neovian Printing Press for the latest (and the classics!) of Neopian gothic literature. Some must-reads for any goth pet include Dark Book, Stories from Beyond, and Behind the Rusted Door: The True Story of the Meepit Oaks Sanitorium. Ghost stories are popular choices too, for example, Can You Hear Me? A Ghostly Tale is a classic every goth pet should know.

     Don't forget to also educate your pet on the most notoriously disturbing or mystifying Neopians, with books like History of Count von Roo, The Demise of Eliv Thade, and, for those ultra-dedicated gothic pets, Tale of Woe: The Untold Story - by Reginald (Autographed Copy).

     Food

     If you've completed all these steps so far, you should have a wonderfully, or, er, dreadfully gothic pet. However, don't forget that being goth isn't just a fashion statement, it's also a lifestyle. Buy your pet foods that work accordingly. Is your pet a creature of the night who exclusively lives on Bloody Slushies? Or is he an animal-loving pet who follows a strictly vegan diet of Veggie Burgers and Fried Tofu? Don't forget the variety of spooky foods options Neopia has to offer. You can't go wrong with a breakfast of Ghost Pancakes and Haunted Coffee!

     Grooming

     Being goth requires a lot of upkeep, and your pet will be grateful if you make sure to supply them with grooming items such as a Gothic Compact Mirror, Black Eye Liner, and a hearty stock of Pitch Black Lipstick.They'll need to spend hours practising with their eyeliner and eye shadow to get it just right, so be patient! Keeping fresh with Grey Shampoo, Darigan Foamy Soap, and a Fang Brush are also key.

     Hobbies

     Everyone has spare time, how will your pet spend theirs?

     If your pet is the outgoing type, make sure to support their newfound gothic lifestyle by accompanying them to the coolest hangouts in Neopia. From The Haunted House in The Haunted Woods to The Ruins of Maraqua, a goth pet will want to explore all the spooky and historically mysterious sights they can.

     Taelia the Snow Faerie and Jhudora the dark faerie are popular figures among goth Neopets, so consider doing some quests for them if you can! Games like Korbat's Lab, Deadly Dice, and Ghost Bopper are great ways to pass the time, and entering the poetry competition can be the perfect opportunity for your gothic pet to express his woe through original art.

     No matter what, never feel limited to activities that involve ghosts or gloominess. Some goth pets thrive surrounded by the brightest and cheeriest of Neopians!

     Music

     Last but certainly not least when it comes to a goth lifestyle is the music. A ticket to see Mellow Marauders or Twisted Roses are the absolute best gifts for these pets, who will love the opportunity to see their favourite angsty bands live and make friends (or perhaps mortal enemies) with other gothic pets! Then, of course, be sure to pick up all the merch you can.

     At this point, it may be inevitable that your pet becomes inspired and wants to create her own music, so be sure to soundproof your neohome before band practice! ;)

     Remember

     There are a lot of items listed here to inspire the creation of a goth pet, but the truth is you can spend millions of Neopoints or only a few and still achieve a pet with a gothic look and lifestyle either way. Never forget that the most important rule of being goth is to have fun and be yourself. Make sure your pet knows this and feels loved and accepted for being unique and true to their own heart!