Pet System
Complete guide to the inZOI pet and animal system, including City Editor wildlife placement, cat interactions, the Coexistence value, Miatara Temple guardian cats, panda feeding, pet furniture, fishing and aquariums, Meow Coins, developer statements on future household pets, and community wishlists.
Featured Article
This article has been recognized for its exceptional quality and comprehensive coverage.
Pet System
While inZOI does not yet feature traditional household pets that live with your Zois, the game includes a variety of animal life across its cities and islands. Players can encounter, interact with, and even feed certain animals through the City Editor wildlife system and location-specific encounters. A full pet system is a frequently requested community feature. KRAFTON has acknowledged community demand but has not confirmed a timeline or committed to specific plans for a pet system, and the existing animal framework suggests the groundwork is already in place.
The cat population in inZOI was inspired by stray cats the development team encountered during afternoon walks near their studio. This personal connection shaped the game's emphasis on cat interactions and the broader animal system.
Animals in the Current Build
As of early 2026, inZOI features animals primarily through the City Editor's wildlife placement tools. These animals populate public spaces and add atmosphere to the world, but they cannot be adopted, owned, or brought into a Zoi's household. The animal system is environmental decoration with limited interactivity, though certain species allow specific interactions under the right conditions. Only cats support a full interaction system with progression. All other species, including dogs, deer, and pandas, function as ambient props that roam the environment without responding to player input through direct click interactions.
City Editor Wildlife
The City Editor allows players to place decorative animal species throughout their custom cities. Each city supports up to three different animal types. Players can adjust the population density of all selected species using a shared slider control. Animals placed this way roam freely through public areas such as parks, streets, and waterfront zones, following preset pathways and behavioral patterns.
How to Access Wildlife Settings
To configure wildlife in your city, press M on your keyboard or click the Edit City button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Navigate to the City Appearance tab, then select the Animals section on the right side. From there, choose up to three species from the available roster and adjust the density slider. Click Go Back to apply your changes. The selected animals will gradually start appearing in public areas throughout your city.
Available Species
Eight animal species are available for placement in the City Editor. Each species has unique visual designs and roaming behaviors.
Species | Behavior | Interactable |
|---|---|---|
Cats | Roam streets and public areas; rest on ledges and benches | Yes (Give Snack, Greet with Treat, Receive Comfort) |
Dogs | Walk along paths and gather near parks | No (ambient only) |
Pandas | Found in natural areas; sit and eat bamboo | No (ambient only) |
Deer | Graze in parks and green spaces | No (ambient only) |
Raccoons | Appear near trash cans and alleys | No (ambient only) |
Squirrels | Climb trees and forage on the ground | No (ambient only) |
Foxes | Roam through wooded and suburban areas | No (ambient only) |
Crocodiles | Found near water features and rivers | No (ambient only) |
Placement and Density
When editing a city, players open the wildlife settings panel and choose up to three species from the available roster. A single density slider controls how many animals of all selected types appear across the city. The slider ranges from low to high, and the chosen density level applies uniformly to all three species rather than individually. Higher density means more frequent encounters with animals in public spaces. The three-species limit encourages players to create cities with distinct animal populations, making each city feel unique.
If you do not see any animals in your city, it likely means no species have been selected in the City Editor yet. Open the wildlife settings and add at least one species to begin populating your streets and parks with wildlife.
Cat Interactions
Cats are the only interactive animal species in the current build. Unlike other animals that simply populate the environment as ambient props, cats support a dedicated interaction system tied to the Coexistence value. Building a relationship with cats requires repeated positive interactions over time. To interact with a cat, click on one in a public area such as a park or street. If your Zoi meets the Coexistence requirement, a radial menu will appear with the available interaction options.
The Coexistence Value
Coexistence is one of the values that a Zoi can develop over time. Zois who regularly interact with plants and animals see their Coexistence value increase gradually. A Coexistence value of 60 or higher is the threshold that unlocks most cat interactions. Zois who value Coexistence tend to have a positive outlook on life and care about peace, patience, beauty, and nature. Values that reach a score above 60 unlock additional interaction options specific to that value, and for Coexistence, this means the full range of cat interaction abilities.
To build Coexistence before reaching 60, Zois can interact with plants, tend gardens, and spend time in nature-oriented activities. Once the threshold is reached, the animal interaction system opens up fully.
Available Cat Interactions
Interaction | Coexistence Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
Give Snack | 60+ | Offer a snack to a stray cat. The primary interaction for building a bond with individual cats. |
Greet with Treat | 60+ | A friendlier greeting with food. Available as an alternative to Give Snack once the Coexistence threshold is met. |
Receive Comfort Through Empathy | High (passive) | When a Zoi is sad or depressed, cats with high Coexistence may approach and comfort them automatically. Triggers only when the Zoi is experiencing negative emotions. |
Each individual cat tracks its own relationship level with your Zoi. Repeated snack-giving gradually increases the bond over time. The Receive Comfort Through Empathy interaction is passive, meaning it triggers automatically without player input when both conditions are met: the Zoi is experiencing negative emotions and the cat's bond level is sufficiently high.
Known Interaction Issues
Some players have reported inconsistent behavior when attempting to interact with cats. In certain cases, cats may not display an outline or interaction prompt when hovered over, even with sufficient Coexistence value. Common troubleshooting steps include verifying that cats have been added through the City Editor (they do not appear by default), ensuring the Zoi's Coexistence value is at or above 60, and trying different cats in various locations. This appears to be an intermittent bug that the development team is aware of.
"Wants to Bond With Animals" Urge
Zois with the Animals Preference may develop the "Wants to Bond With Animals" urge. When this urge appears, the Zoi actively seeks out nearby animals to interact with. Successfully fulfilling this urge rewards the Zoi with 5 Meow Coins and a mood boost. The urge can be satisfied by interacting with any species, though cats offer the most interaction options since they are the only clickable animals.
Meow Coins From Animal Interactions
The 5 Meow Coins earned from fulfilling the "Wants to Bond With Animals" urge are part of the broader Meow Coins reward system. Meow Coins are a special currency distinct from regular Meow (the standard in-game money). They are earned by completing urges (5 Meow Coins each) and finishing Ambition levels (100 Meow Coins for the first level of each Ambition). Meow Coins are spent in the Meow Store to purchase donuts that provide temporary buffs to a Zoi's status gauges such as Sleep, Hunger, and Bathroom, or improve their mood. Each Zoi tracks their own Meow Coins balance individually; the currency is not shared among household members.
Panda Feeding
Pandas were previously reported to support a feeding interaction where Zois could offer bamboo. However, based on updated community testing, pandas appear to function as ambient-only animals in the current build, similar to dogs and deer. They sit, eat bamboo on their own, and add atmosphere to natural areas, but they do not respond to direct player click interactions. If pandas were interactable in an earlier build, this functionality may have been changed during subsequent updates.
Miatara Temple Guardian Cats
The Miatara Temple on Cahaya island has a special population of guardian cats that are distinct from the regular city wildlife system. These temple cats are permanent residents of the temple grounds and cannot be removed or placed elsewhere. They are tied to the temple's spiritual theme and offer unique interactions not found with regular stray cats. The temple is located on the left side of the Cahaya Temple complex and is accessible by boat or water taxi.
Temple Cat Interactions
Unlike city cats that require 60 Coexistence to interact with, the temple guardian cats have their own set of interactions tied to the temple environment. Zois can sit with the temple cats and choose Meditate with Cat to spend time alongside them. The cats also accept treats and toys purchased from the temple's souvenir shop.
Temple Souvenir Shop
The Miatara Temple has an outdoor souvenir shop located at the top-left area of the temple grounds. The shop sells cat-themed items that can be used for interactions and offerings:
Item | Use |
|---|---|
Cat Treat | Can be given directly to guardian cats or offered at the shrine for Karma rewards |
Catnip Candy | Can be given to guardian cats or offered at the shrine for Karma rewards |
Cat Toys | Used to play with the guardian cats around the temple grounds |
Talisman | A cat-themed souvenir; decorative keepsake from the temple visit |
Shrine Offerings and Karma
Inside the Miatara Temple, there is a guardian statue with an Incense Burner. Zois can approach it and select Burn Incense and Pray to pay their respects. Below the Incense Burner is a podium where Zois can place offerings. Selecting Offer Cat Treat or Offer Catnip Candy at the podium provides Karma rewards. These rewards are small but repeatable, making the temple a consistent source of Karma for Zois who visit regularly. Guardian cats gather around the shrine during offering rituals, and their presence is part of the ceremonial animation.
Fortune Sticks and the Wish Tree
Just outside the Miatara Temple building stands the Wish Tree, and next to it is a Fortune Stick Tube. Drawing a fortune stick costs 10 Mew (the vacation island currency used on Cahaya). After drawing, the Zoi receives a randomized fortune message. Submitting a wish at the Wish Tree can either improve or worsen the Zoi's mood depending on the fortune result. The guardian cats react to fortune draws with unique animations, adding to the ceremonial atmosphere of the temple.
Pet-Related Build Mode Items
The Build Mode catalog includes several pet-themed furniture items. As of early 2026, these items are decorative and do not have functional interactions with animals. They cannot attract stray cats into a Zoi's home or serve as feeding stations.
Item | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Food Bowl | Pet Furniture | Decorative; does not attract or feed animals |
Water Bowl | Pet Furniture | Decorative; no functional use |
Scratching Post | Pet Furniture | Decorative; cats do not interact with it |
Cat Tree | Pet Furniture | Decorative; standard furniture for room design |
Pet Bed | Pet Furniture | Decorative; animals cannot sleep in it |
The presence of these items in Build Mode strongly suggests that Krafton has been building toward a full pet system. Once household pets are implemented, these items will likely gain functional uses such as feeding, play, and rest interactions. The fact that cat trees, scratching posts, and pet beds exist as purchasable furniture, even without functional animals, indicates that the underlying item framework is ready for future expansion.
Fishing and Aquariums
The closest thing to a "pet" that Zois can currently own is fish. The Fishing system allows Zois to catch various fish species at designated fishing spots across all three cities and Cahaya island. Fishing spots are marked by a small cooler bag sitting near the water. No specialized equipment or fishing skill is required to start fishing; the results are primarily random.
Fish Species
Fish in inZOI are divided into filletable and non-filletable species. Filletable fish can be processed into Fish Fillet items, which have the advantage of never spoiling, unlike whole fish that decay over time if left out.
Species | Filletable | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Swordfish | Yes | Large catch; valuable for selling |
Shark | Yes | Rare large catch; one of the most valuable fish |
Carp | Yes | Common freshwater fish |
Painted Sweetlips | Yes | Mid-range catch |
Cobia | Yes | Mid-range catch |
Butterflyfish | No | Ornamental species; good for display |
Archer Fish | No | Ornamental species |
Banded Butterflyfish | No | Ornamental species; good for display |
Zois may also pull up non-fish items when fishing, including garbage and Biko Dolls. Catching garbage causes the Zoi to feel Annoyance. Using advanced bait increases the odds of catching more valuable fish and items.
Fishing Locations
City | Location |
|---|---|
Harang River Park (East and West) | |
Sunset Bay, North Beach | |
Various waterfront spots around the island |
What to Do With Caught Fish
Caught fish have several uses beyond simple collection:
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Display in Aquariums | Fish can be placed in aquarium furniture items in Build Mode, where they swim and provide ambient decoration in the Zoi's home. While fish cannot be interacted with after placement, they represent the only animal type a Zoi can "keep" in their living space. |
Sell Secondhand | Selling fish requires purchasing a Second Hand Sale Stall from the Flea Market Items tab in Build Mode. Place the fish on the stall surface and tag it with the Sell Secondhand action. The fish will sell automatically over time. |
Fillet | Filletable species can be processed using the Fillet Fish action while holding the fish. This produces one or more Fish Fillet items, which never spoil (unlike whole fish that decay if left out). |
Cook | Zois with Cooking Skill at Level 3 or higher can use Fish Fillet as an ingredient to prepare Flatfish Sushi, a consumable meal that restores hunger. |
Developer Statements on Future Pets
Krafton has made several public statements indicating that a household pet system is planned for inZOI. These statements provide insight into the studio's priorities and timeline.
Statement | Details |
|---|---|
February 2025 AMA | During a community Q&A session on the official Discord server, the development team described pets as a "high priority" feature. They acknowledged the significant community demand for adoptable cats and dogs and stated that the feature was actively being discussed internally. |
April 2025 Teaser | The official inZOI social media accounts posted a teaser image featuring a cat sitting on a Zoi's lap inside a home, with a caption hinting that cats were "coming soon." The image showed UI elements not present in the current build, suggesting an in-development pet interaction menu. |
December 2025 Roadmap | Director Hyungjun "Kjun" Kim published the official 2026 development roadmap under the "Fundamentals First" initiative. The roadmap does not explicitly list "pets" as a named feature for any specific update. However, several entries reference "life simulation expansion" and "new household interactions" that could encompass the pet system. |
January 2026 Roadmap Part 2 | Kjun followed up with a "Beyond the Fundamentals" roadmap covering additional features planned for 2026. While pets were not named directly, the document acknowledged they remain a high-priority community request. |
March 2026 Community Post | A community discussion on the official inZOI forums titled "Updates!! For families, careers and pets" highlighted ongoing player demand. This was a player-submitted feature request in the "Brainstorm with Kjun" section rather than an official announcement, but it reflects the continued visibility of the pet request within the community. |
Kjun has stated that "pet-related features are in the plans" and that fans can expect these features to arrive after the game exits Early Access. As of March 2026, no official timeline for pet adoption has been confirmed. The feature is widely expected but has not appeared in any dated roadmap entry.
Community Mods
The inZOI modding community has created unofficial pet mods that attempt to bring household animals into the game. The most notable is the "Cats and Dogs as Pets" mod available on Nexus Mods, which repurposes the City Editor wildlife system to allow cats and dogs to spawn inside Zoi homes. These mods are unofficial and may break with game updates, but they demonstrate the strong community appetite for the feature and provide a temporary workaround for players who want animals in their homes.
Community Wishlist
Community discussions across Reddit, Discord, the official forums, and Steam consistently rank pets among the most requested features. Common requests include:
Adoptable cats and dogs that live in the Zoi's household
Pet care mechanics including feeding, grooming, and veterinary visits
Pet personality traits and emotional bonding with Zois
Exotic pets such as birds, hamsters, rabbits, and reptiles
Pet breeding and genetics similar to the real-world pet ownership experience
Service and therapy animals that assist Zois with specific needs
Pet accessories and clothing from the in-game shops
Pet training and obedience systems with skill progression
Stray animal adoption from shelters or the streets
Animals with their own needs gauges (hunger, hygiene, entertainment) that require regular attention
Tips and Strategies
If your Zoi has the Animals Preference, prioritize building the Coexistence value to 60 early. Interacting with plants and gardening activities also contribute to Coexistence growth.
Set cats as one of your three City Editor species to ensure cat interactions are available throughout your city. Increasing the density slider makes cats appear more frequently.
Visit the Miatara Temple on Cahaya regularly for repeatable Karma rewards from shrine offerings. Stock up on Cat Treats and Catnip Candy from the souvenir shop before heading to the shrine.
Fish are the only animals you can keep at home. Catch ornamental species like Butterflyfish for aquarium displays to add life to your Zoi's living space.
Fillet your fish before storing them. Whole fish spoil over time, but Fish Fillets never expire and can be used for cooking later.
When the "Wants to Bond With Animals" urge appears, seek out the nearest cat for a quick 5 Meow Coins reward and a mood boost.
If cats are not interactable in your city, check the City Editor to confirm they have been added. If they are present but unresponsive, try interacting with a different cat or reloading the area.
Given the existing animal framework, the pet furniture already in Build Mode, and Krafton's public statements, the addition of a full pet system appears to be a matter of when rather than if. The infrastructure for animal interactions, Coexistence tracking, and furniture integration already exists, providing a strong foundation for the feature. The cat interaction system, temple guardian cats, and fishing mechanics all demonstrate that the development team has invested significantly in animal-related content, making a formal pet adoption system a natural next step for the game's evolution.