How to age up a dog in Sims 4? - briefly
To age up a dog in The Sims 4, use the "Age Up" interaction by clicking on the dog or purchase a birthday cake and select the "Age Up Dog" option during a birthday event.
How to age up a dog in Sims 4? - in detail
In The Sims 4, aging up a dog is a straightforward process that aligns with the game's life simulation mechanics. To age up a dog, you must first ensure that the aging feature is enabled in your game settings. Navigate to the game options menu, select "Gameplay," and verify that "Auto Age (Played Sims)" or "Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)" is active, depending on your preferences. If aging is turned off, the dog will not progress through its life stages naturally.
Once aging is enabled, the dog will automatically transition from puppy to adult and eventually to elder based on the lifespan settings. Lifespan options include Short, Normal, Long, and Custom, each determining the duration of each life stage. For immediate aging, you can use a birthday cake. Purchase or bake a cake, place it in the household, and have an adult Sim add candles to it. Click on the cake and select "Age Up" while ensuring the dog is nearby. This action will instantly advance the dog to the next life stage.
If you have the "Cats & Dogs" expansion pack, you can also use the "Age Up Treat" available in the Pet Store or crafted through the Pet Treat Maker. This treat allows you to age up a dog without requiring a cake. Simply purchase or craft the treat, then select the dog and choose "Give Age Up Treat" from the interaction menu.
It’s important to note that aging up a dog will permanently change its appearance and behavior to match its new life stage. Puppies are playful and require more attention, adults are more independent, and elders may have reduced energy and require additional care. Plan accordingly to ensure your dog’s needs are met throughout its life.