Free Online Virtual Pets

A free online virtual pet for kids may be the answer! Of course, online free virtual pets are great for all ages.

Online virtual pet games are the latest trend in children's Internet games, and for a good reason.  Parents love the responsibility and discipline that caring for an online virtual pet teaches. Often when a family brings home a real puppy or kitten from the pet store, children cannot wait to play with it.  However after the thrill and novelty wears off, parents are stuck with meeting the animals needs.  This can be especially troublesome if you live in an apartment, are allergic to shedding, or thought you would never be able to afford your own dog, cat, rabbit or other type of animal. A free virtual online pet is the solution. Free online virtual pet games give people the opportunity to own the pet of their choice, from a puppy to a monkey, free of charge!

Choosing Your Free Online Virtual Pet

Search engine results for virtual pet online games can be confusing. Often games advertised as being free online virtual pets for kids actually require a purchase to unlock crucial features of the game. Virtual pet games exist in multiple formats, including pay-as-you-go games that require a purchase, networking games, and games that must be downloaded to be played on a personal computer. However, most free online virtual pet  games can be played free online in a limited capacity. While spending real money on these sites is not “required,” it leads to increased options in-game and better scores. 

Webkinz

Webkinz is one website with free limited play. You can access the website at http://www.webkinz.com/.  Webkinz tops the list of virtual pet website reviews. It offers limited features and activities in their demos that don't require a purchase. These free online virtual pets for kids are a family favorite, even with having to pay additional for added options.

Free virtual online pet websites everywhere. That is why it is so important to know what you are looking for when you sign up for a virtual pet. Just like real pets can be time-intensive, virtual pets also come with varying levels of time commitments. Make sure you pick the type of pet that will best suit your needs.

Neopets

The Neopets website offers the widest range of pets of any of the online virtual pet websites.  This makes it one of the most popular online virtual pet websites available on the Internet.  If a unique, exotic animal is important to you, then Neopets is a wise choice. Turtles, ducks, and more exotic animals can be found at the Neopets website located at http://www.neopets.com/.

The Neopets sign-up process is simple. First, you will be required to register with the website.  Then you are presented with a list that contains various animals like puppies, cats, rabbits, etc.  Choose carefully: this is your only “free” pet. If you want to own and play with additional pets you will have to buy them with either game currency or real dollars.  Claim your pet, give it a name, and start to get familiar with your new best friend! 

Chicka Pets

A similar free virtual pets website is Chicka Pets. Chicka Pets has a huge number of options. You can access all the fun free virtual pets at http://www.chickapets.com/.

Free Online Virtual Pet Games Fancy Features

Free online virtual pets are part of a virtual world, unique to each game.  Most pets are presented inside a pet “bedroom.” Often, players have the opportunity to explore multiple regions of the virtual world, such as friend's pet room or a park area. Other exciting features include a range of actions committed by clicking a button in the program, and mimic interactions with pets in real life.  Explore your options: pet, cuddle, feed, exercise, and dress your pet. Each virtual pet websites will have different options of play

Leveling Up

The best way to level up within a free online pet world is by participating in the adventure games provided within the virtual world. These games often contribute positively to your pet's health, energy, and/or happiness meters. You will often be rewarded with in-game currency.  This money is redeemable for outfits, pet treats, and sometimes, more pets. 

Pet Nebula

Pet Nebula offers particularly developed opportunities in this area at http://www.petnebula.com/index.php.  Pet Nebula has chat areas, user shops, auctions, trades, planets, a battle zone, and fantastical virtual pets to choose from – all free! Checking in multiple times a day will earn you account upgrades, and unlock a hidden shop, additional free virtual pets, and many other features.

Social Networking:  Petville and PetSociety

One final feature that bears mentioning is the involvement of social networking in online pet virtual games.  Facebook's Petville, a relatively new game, offers artistic renderings of classic pets. Put out by Zynga, a major game developer on Facebook, Petville scores high marks for its incorporation of friends into virtual game play. Not only can you choose, care for, and pamper your own pet, but you can also interact with your friend's pets by electing to make them your “neighbors” in the game. You can leave special treats for your friends and clean their houses!  It will even help you level up faster. 

You can access Petville at http://www.facebook.com/PetVilleGame gets five thumbs up, as does its main competitor, Pet Society. You can access Pet Society at http://www.petsociety.com/.

Online Free Virtual Pets That Support  Causes

Another thing to consider when picking your pet is whether you feel strongly about animal rights. There are many charitable websites that are linked to real-life orphanages and adoption agencies.  Often when a child adopts a virtual online pet from their website, a donor matches the effort by supporting that charity with funds to save real-life pets.  Even when adopting an animal doesn't generate a matching donation but just shows support for a cause, this can be a great way to show solidarity and advertise to others. One such website is AdoptMe Pets at http://www.adoptme.com. They have a very easy-to-understand user interface and are highly recommended for beginners.