Besides being a cute addition to any farm, pets can help you with your farm work. There are over 25 breeds of cats and dogs, and you can also keep a capybara (the world's largest and most adorable rodent)!
Pets can be purchased at the animal shops in Westown and Tsuyukusa. Keeping a pet requires a pet house, which can be ordered from the jack of all trades shop in Lulukoko.
You can keep your pet in a pet house or in your home (requires a pet-food dispenser).
While out on a walk, you can play with your pet using a rubber bone for dogs or a toy bell for cats.
Pets have abilities ranging from herding livestock to finding items.
If you grow especially close to a pet, you can designate them as your furmiliar by speaking to Inari in Tsuyukusa. Furmiliars will spend their days at your side and give you gifts. They can also visit other farms via the StreetPass function.