Does Watering the Dog Bowl Do Anything in Stardew Valley? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, watering your pet’s bowl in Stardew Valley does indeed have a purpose! While it won’t affect your pet’s health or cause them to run away in despair if you forget, consistently filling the bowl leads to a valuable friendship bonus. Specifically, watering the bowl results in a 6-point friendship increase with your pet the next morning. This may seem small, but these small interactions help max out your pet’s hearts faster!
This guide will delve into the details of pet care in Stardew Valley and provide comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions.
Understanding Pet Care in Stardew Valley
Having a pet in Stardew Valley is a delightful addition to your farm. Whether you adopt a cat or dog, these furry companions add charm and a sense of companionship to your daily routine. While their primary function isn’t directly tied to farm productivity (unlike pigs sniffing out truffles), they play a significant role in enhancing the overall feel and completion of the game.
The Importance of Friendship with Your Pet
Increasing your friendship level with your pet has a meaningful effect on gameplay, and it also contributes towards Grandpa’s evaluation at the start of year three.
The main way to increase your friendship points with your pet is by doing the following things:
- Petting them daily.
- Filling their water bowl every day.
- Making sure they have plenty of space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pet Care in Stardew Valley
Here are some common questions players have about pet care in Stardew Valley:
1. What happens if I don’t fill the dog bowl in Stardew Valley?
If you don’t fill the water bowl, your dog or cat won’t die, but it will be happier and you will raise its friendship hearts faster if you do. They can wander around outside too if they want. Cats living in the barn can keep mice and other small animals out. Neglecting to fill the bowl doesn’t have immediate negative consequences.
2. Do sprinklers work on the pet bowl in Stardew?
No, sprinklers cannot be used to water your pet’s water bowl. Sprinklers can now water Slime Hutch troughs, but cannot be used to water Garden Pots or the pet’s water bowl. You must manually fill it using your watering can.
3. Does the Stardew Valley dog/cat do anything beyond friendship?
The only game function that pets have is that they contribute points towards Grandpa’s evaluation when you max hearts with the pet. It’s rather negligible and easily replaceable with other achievements. Pets don’t directly help with farming tasks or provide resources.
4. Which pet is better in Stardew Valley, a cat or a dog?
Neither pet is “better” than the other in terms of gameplay advantages. The choice between a cat and a dog is purely cosmetic. Each one has its own visual and audio cues, so it is a matter of personal preference.
5. What happens if I don’t pet my animals in Stardew Valley?
If you want better quality produce from them, you want to interact with them regularly until you have 5 hearts with them. After that you can skip a day or two, and then the next day you do interact with them will keep their friendship level with you maintained. Not petting your farm animals regularly can lead to decreased happiness and lower-quality produce.
6. Can I move the dog bowl in Stardew Valley?
Yes, it’s possible to move it with tIDE, the area. But the pet’s location is hardcoded there. Especially because your spouse goes and “puts water” in the pet bowl. Every time you start the game the pet will spawn in a sleeping sprite position when you leave the house. You can use the edit tool or mods to relocate it if you desire.
7. What happens if it rains? Do I still need to water the dog bowl?
On rainy days, the pet bowl will automatically be filled. You don’t need to use your watering can. This is a convenient feature, saving you time and energy. Also, note that if it rains the day before, the pet’s friendship will not be increased for filling the dog bowl that morning.
8. How long can I go without watering crops in Stardew Valley?
They can go three days without water, but they start taking damage on the third day. By the sixth day they’ll wither, and finally die on the eighth day. So it’s really important to keep an eye on your crops, and make sure they don’t die! Missing a single day of watering isn’t critical, but prolonged neglect leads to crop withering and eventual death.
9. Do farm animals need water in Stardew Valley?
Animals will now consume water in them, making you need to refill them regularly. You receive 15 friendship points with each animal in a building with a watered trough at the end of the day. Not refilling the troughs makes your animals thirsty, reducing your friendship with them. Yes, farm animals need water, which is provided through troughs inside their coops and barns.
10. What is the best way to earn money in Stardew Valley?
Turning Hops into Ale is the best way to make money on your harvest, as Hops don’t sell for very much on their own. While it’s tough to access in the earliest days of the game, Starfruit is one of the most valuable crops in Stardew Valley. There are various strategies for maximizing income. High-value crops, processed goods, and animal products all contribute significantly to your earnings.
11. What is the most loved item in Stardew Valley to give as a gift?
8 Honey. 7 Maple Syrup. 6 Fruit Tree Fruit. 5 Prismatic Shard. 4 Rabbit’s Foot. 3 Magic Rock Candy. 2 Golden Pumpkin. 1 Pearl.
The effectiveness of gifts varies by villager, but universally loved items like Prismatic Shards and Golden Pumpkins are safe bets.
12. What does Grandpa’s Evaluation consider in Stardew Valley?
Grandpa’s Evaluation considers a variety of factors, including your total earnings, skills levels, completion of the Community Center, and your friendships with other characters. Having a maxed-out relationship with your pet will earn you points as well. Achieving the highest score earns you a valuable reward.
13. Can I leave the chicken coop door open overnight in Stardew Valley?
You can leave the door open all night long and everything will be fine. There is no downside to leaving the doors open, but the whole system is a little wonky.
14. Are fences necessary for animals in Stardew Valley?
Fences aren’t necessary, but they are more than cosmetic. Fences and floors (and tea bushes when you get them) can be used to organize and compartmentalize your farm. You can keep, as Elenna said, your animals away from your crops, not because they’ll damage the crops but because they’ll get in your way.
15. Can I interact with other players in Stardew Valley?
Yes, Stardew Valley features a multiplayer mode where you can invite friends to help you manage your farm. You can collaborate on tasks, share resources, and even marry other players.
Final Thoughts
While watering the pet bowl might seem like a small, insignificant task in the grand scheme of Stardew Valley, it’s a simple way to nurture your relationship with your furry friend. The consistent 6-point friendship increase can help you max out your pet’s happiness and contribute to a well-rounded, fulfilling farming experience. Remember, even the smallest actions can enrich your gameplay. Games like Stardew Valley can be more than entertainment and can promote learning and collaboration. Check out the Games Learning Society for resources and research about how games can be used for education at GamesLearningSociety.org.