Overview
Animals populate the cities of inZOI, adding life and atmosphere to the world. Players can control which animals appear and how many through Edit City mode, choosing up to three species from eight available types. While full pet ownership is not yet available, cats and pandas can be interacted with directly under certain conditions. The Cahaya DLC city features an abundance of cats and introduces marine wildlife through snorkeling and fishing activities.
Available Species
Eight animal species can be placed throughout the world using Edit City mode. Most serve as visual props that add ambiance, while cats and pandas support direct interactions.
Animal | Interactive | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Cat | Yes | Three interaction types available; requires Coexistence Value for advanced interactions |
Panda | Yes | Can be fed bamboo; appears in parks and green spaces |
Dog | No | Visual prop only; roams neighborhoods |
Deer | No | Visual prop; found in parks and green spaces |
Raccoon | No | Visual prop; tends to appear near residential areas |
Squirrel | No | Visual prop; found in trees and parks |
Fox | No | Visual prop; appears in quieter areas |
Crocodile | No | Visual prop; appears near water areas |
Butterflies also appear in the game but are classified under the Special Effects tab in City Decoration rather than the Animals tab. They function as atmospheric visual effects alongside drones and fireworks.
Cat Interactions
Cats are the most interactive animals in inZOI, supporting three distinct interaction types. Each has different requirements based on the Zoi's Coexistence Value and emotional state.
Interaction | Requirement | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Give Snack | None | Available to any Zoi at any time. Feeds the cat a treat. |
Greet with a Treat | 60+ Coexistence Value | A deeper bonding interaction unlocked at higher Coexistence. |
Receive Comfort Through Empathy | Zoi must be sad or depressed | A special comfort interaction available only when the Zoi is in a negative emotional state. |
Cat interactions fulfill the "Wants to Bond with Animals" urge and earn Meow Coins (the special currency spent at the Meow Store). Successfully completing the urge also grants the "Concentrated" mood state.
An earlier game version required a specific karma level to feed animals, but this restriction was removed in the April 2025 patch. Feeding is now available regardless of karma.
Panda Interactions
Pandas are the second interactable animal species. Zois can feed pandas bamboo, providing a bonding experience similar to cat snack interactions. Pandas tend to appear in parks and green spaces when selected through City Edit mode.
Coexistence Value
Coexistence is one of 10 Values in inZOI. Its description reads: "Aims to achieve harmony between people and nature, working towards a sustainable future." Values scale from 0 to 100, and Coexistence cannot be set during character creation. Instead, it develops organically through gameplay as a Zoi interacts with plants and animals.
When any Value reaches 60 or above, it unlocks additional interactions, new urges that provide Meow Coin earning opportunities, and special event opportunities. For Coexistence specifically, reaching 60 unlocks the "Greet with a Treat" cat interaction. The Value with the most points becomes the Zoi's Core Value, the dominant aspect of their personality.
Six traits give Zois a natural boost toward higher Coexistence values:
Placing Animals in City Edit
In City Edit mode (accessible via the M key or the Edit City button at the bottom-right of the screen), navigate to the City Appearance tab, then click the Animals section on the right side. Players can:
Choose up to 3 animal types to appear simultaneously from the 8 available species.
Adjust a shared density slider that controls the population level of all selected animals. The slider ranges from none to high density.
Change selections at any time by re-entering City Edit mode.
After applying changes, animals gradually begin appearing in parks and streets throughout the city. Different species tend to gravitate toward appropriate locations: squirrels near trees, crocodiles near water, and raccoons near residential areas.
Cahaya and Animals
The Cahaya DLC city (released August 2025 as part of the free inZOI: Island Getaway expansion) is especially known for its animal features. The city was originally announced under the name "Kucingku" (meaning "My Cat" in Indonesian and Malay) before being renamed to "Cahaya" (meaning "Light") prior to launch.
Miatara Temple (Cat Temple)
Located on the left side of the Cahaya map, the Miatara Temple is a dedicated cat sanctuary with unique interactions not found in other cities:
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Guardian Cats | Special cats roam the temple grounds and can be interacted with. |
Meditate with Cat | Zois can sit and spend time meditating alongside cats at the temple. |
Receive Gifts | Cats at the temple can give gifts to Zois who interact with them. |
Offer Cat Treat / Catnip Candy | Zois can make offerings at the Guardian Statue's podium and receive karma in return. |
Temple Souvenir Shop | Sells Cat Treats, Catnip Candy, toys, and talismans. |
Wish Tree | Located next to the temple. Costs 10 Mew to draw a fortune and submit a wish, which can improve or worsen the Zoi's mood. |
Marine Wildlife
Cahaya introduced marine animals that exist exclusively in the island's waters. These are not part of the City Edit animal system but are encountered through snorkeling and fishing activities:
Marine Animal | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Fish | Fishing, Snorkeling | Various species; caught fish can be displayed in home fish tanks |
Sea Turtles | Snorkeling | Encountered while swimming near coral reefs |
Dolphins | Snorkeling | Encountered in deeper waters |
Sharks | Snorkeling | Dangerous; can injure or kill your Zoi. Found mostly near the deserted island |
Jellyfish | Snorkeling | Dangerous; can injure or kill your Zoi |
Snorkeling equipment comes in three tiers: Beginner set, Diver set, and Ocean Pro set, all rented at beach stands. Coral reefs and ancient submerged temples with treasure can also be explored underwater.
Fishing was added as a new skill in v0.3.0 alongside the Cahaya expansion. Fish can be caught from rivers and the ocean, with higher-quality rods increasing the chance of rare catches. Caught fish are tracked in the Family Collection Log alongside crops, gemstones, and jewels.
City-Specific Animal Differences
All three cities share the same 8 animal species in City Edit mode. No city has exclusive land animals. However, the cities differ in their themes and default animal emphasis:
City | Theme | Animal Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Korean-inspired urban city | Standard animal spawns in parks and streets | |
Southern California coastal city | Standard animal spawns; beach areas | |
Indonesian tropical islands | Abundant cats, Miatara Cat Temple, marine wildlife through snorkeling and fishing |
Pet Ownership Status
As of March 2026, pets are not available as personal companions or household members. Pet-related furniture exists in Build Mode (cat trees, food bowls, scratching posts) but these items are currently non-functional decorations.
Pets are not included in the 2026 development roadmap. During a February 2025 Discord AMA, developers stated they "aim to provide the full experience of having a pet, and not just having a pet next to your character," describing the feature as "a huge undertaking" with no confirmed timeline. Pets remain one of the most requested community features, with dedicated wishlist threads on the official forums requesting pet adoption, veterinary systems, and dog walking mechanics.
An unofficial community mod called "Cats and Dogs as Pets" exists on Nexus Mods, which replaces static animal statues with roaming cats and dogs that chase toys and nap. However, it does not add feeding or care mechanics and is not officially supported.