The Sims 2: Pets/Pet Needs

Like Sims, pets have needs. Their needs are very simular, except that Pets do not have an 'Environment' need bar. If a pet's needs drop too low, it will be taken away by someone from the pet adoption service or may run away. Pets will automatically fill their needs if they are low, providing there is a way for them to do so.

Hunger
Whatever the age, all cats and dogs need feeding. Buy a bowl or two, choose a sim and select 'Fill Bowl'. When a pet is hungry, they will go and eat, but if they have learnt that they should eat pet food you can also use the action 'call to eat...' to call one of your pets to eat from the bowl. If the bowl gets dirty, be sure to clean it. Pets may also eat sim food if it has ben discarded.

For animals in cages, such as Womrats and Birds, click on their cage and select 'fill name's food dish with food'. To feed fish, click on the tank and select 'feed fish'. Without food, these animals will die.