In The Sims, you can have your very own guinea pig pet. The adorable furry creature will live happily in his cage on any table, and requires minimal interaction. He’s always ready to play, as long as you keep him fed and clean.
However, if you allow his cage to get dirty and neglect to clean it out, then beware of the guinea pig curse, a prophecy foretold via a painting which outlines your future. The guinea pig disease is so lethal that we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about preventing and curing this plague-like virus in The Sims.
Where Do You Get A Guinea Pig?
Guinea pigs were introduced with the Livin’ Large expansion and are available in the buy catalogue. You’ll need to look under Miscellaneous > Other, and it’s between the turkey dinner and the elephant foot trash can.
The guinea pig comes with a cage and costs just $120 simoleons. However, you will need a table to put it on, which you can find under Surfaces.
You can also put a guinea pig cage on a desk or counter, but not an end or coffee table.
How To Take Care Of A Guinea Pig
Initially, your guinea pig will have two options: feed and play. You’ll need to feed them each day and play with them frequently. They will survive being fed less often, but we don’t recommend it. After a few days, you’ll see the option to clean appear. Make sure to do this as soon as you see it.
It doesn’t cost anything to feed and care for your guinea pig. You just have to remember.
What Is Guinea Pig Disease?
Guinea pig disease is a virus which is caught by your pet if the cage is not promptly cleaned. If your Sim plays with a guinea pig in a dirty cage they are likely to be bitten and the disease will be transferred to them. The more your guinea pig feels neglected, the more likely it, and your Sim, will end up infected.
There’s no pop-up menu to let you know you’ve been infected, so you have to look for the signs. However, they are easy to spot.
Infected Sims will sneeze and cough frequently.
The comfort and energy needs of an infected Sim will decline rapidly.
If Sims are not cured they will die, quickly.
How To Prevent Guinea Pig Disease
Prevention is the best cure, due to how rapidly things go downhill if your Sim is infected. Feed and play with your guinea pig every day, and make sure to clean them out as soon as the option becomes selectable.
Never play with your guinea pig before cleaning the cage.
How To Cure Guinea Pig Disease
If the worst happens, you’ll quickly know, due to the deteriorating motives. In order to cure the infected Sim there are a few options, but you have to act fast.
The disease is tied to the lot, not the Sim. This means that you can send the infected Sim to another lot and their symptoms will be paused. They will not be infectious, and they won’t deteriorate.
Use The Forgotten Guinea Pig Painting To Clear The Virus
Putting the Forgotten Guinea Pig painting on the wall will clear the virus from the household after 16 Sim hours. You can find it under Decorative > Paintings, and it costs $60.
However, you do have to keep your Sim alive until after this happens, otherwise they will get repeatedly infected.
Use The Chemistry Set To Make A Cure
You can find the Concoction Station in the buy catalogue under Miscellaneous > Knowledge, and it costs $980. An infected Sim using this item has a chance to create a white potion which cures them of the disease when drunk.
Keep Your Sims Needs Maxed Out
If your Sim’s comfort and energy motives are kept high, they can get better on their own. However, to do this, you really need the most expensive bed you can afford. The needs drain so quickly that the $4,999 4-poster bed with +10 Comfort, +10 Energy and 5 Room is pretty much your only hope.
You’ll also need to hope their other needs are also high, or you’ll be saying hello to Grim in no time. To do this, take advantage of the disease being tied to the lot, and
Go to another lot where you can get your Sim’s needs maxed out. If you place the painting before you leave, you should be able to purge the virus from the lot and give yourself the best chance of recovery when you return.
