How to Play FooPets: A Realistic Virtual Pet Game

Foopets.com introduces you to the "world's most realistic, interactive virtual pet" for free. Play with your pet by throwing it a Frisbee or ball for the puppies and wind up mice for the kitties. You can use your cursor to pet your Foopet. The FooMart offers decorations to purchase for your pet's room. You can also breed your pet with another pet and end up with a litter of kittens or puppies. If you have a MySpace or Facebook page, you can play FooPets on those websites.

On the FooPets homepage, you have the choice of selecting a dog or cat. From the dog categories, you can choose: Husky, White Poodle Mix, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Rottweiler, Miniature Pinscher, Pug, Mini Schnauzer, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Portuguese Water Dog, Jack Russell, Westie, Weimaraner, Australian Shepherd, Yellow Lab Mix, Black Lab Mix, Chocolate Lab Mix, Marley Yellow Lab, Dalmation, Yorkie, Pit Bull, and German Shepherd. From the cats, you can choose: Himalayan, Long Haired Silver Tabby, Siamese, Cream Persian, Tabby Mix, Black Mix, Tuxedo Mix, and Orange Mix.

Step One is to select your pet and then click "Continue." Step Two allows you to name your pet, select a gender, and give your pet a description. Step Three registers your account by creating a login name, submitting your email address, making a password, and giving your date of birth because you must be at least 13 to play. Step Four asks for your country and fill in a "Captcha," which are words that are displayed and you must type in the box. Click on the box that says you agree to the Adoption Rules and Site Terms and click "Continue."

The next screen offers you to connect with your friends through FooPets. You have the option to enter your email password and see if any of your friends are already on FooPets. Your friends who are not a member will get an invitation to join. If you want to opt out of this step then click "Skip this step."

Now you should see your pet looking at you from your "Play" page. Move your cursor over the pet's face and you should instantly receive "karma" points. These points build up in the top left corner beside of the yin yang. These FooKarma points increase when you care for your pet, invite friends, play games, and forums. The higher FooKarma you have, the FooGems you receive daily.

At the bottom of the pet screen, you will see several icons. One is a speaker icon that will mute the sound. If you selected a dog for a pet, to the right of this is a yellow tennis ball and a Frisbee that you can double click to throw for your dog to catch. Your cat will have a wind up mouse to play with.

To the right of the pet screen, you will see a picture of your pet and its stats. The green bar will show you if it needs to be fed, watered, or played with. There are several buttons below the green bars that will allow you to easily feed, water, and groom your pet.

Above the pet screen, you can see several tabs labeled: Adopt, Play, Fooniverse, FooMart, Bank, Friends, Breeding, and More. Click the Adopt tab and you will see featured pets that are available for purchase and shelter pets that are less expensive. The Play tab is where you first got started. The Fooniverse tab allows your pet to go to the FooBoutique, the FooGroomer, the FooFotoStudio, and the FooFashion Show. These are extra games and dress up games for your pets.

FooMart allows you to spend your FooDollars or FooGems. You can purchase FooDollars at the Bank for 10 cents each, sell your pets, win at the fashion shows, or earn with sponsor offers. You can earn FooGems by interacting with your pet daily by feeding, watering, and playing with it. The Friends tab allows you to find or invite your friends. The Breeding tab gives you the rules for breeding with other pets. The More tab allows you to view the latest FooFotos you have taken of your pet and photos from other users. You can send e-greetings to your friends and visit the forum under the More tab. You are able to adopt up to ten pets and are able to adopt more after you've accrued enough karma points.

Basically, visit and interact with your pet daily and before you know it, you'll have a happy pet, be able to purchase more FooPets and decorate your space for your pet to your liking with backgrounds and decorations. FooPets is a well-designed game with a clean interface and simple play for users of all ages.