If you play Grounded solo, know that it doesn’t mean you have to brave the dangers of the backyard alone. You can tame pets in Grounded, and it’s a good idea for the adventure ahead. Not only are they adorable (well…), but pets can also provide a buff or carry your stuff.
To tame pets in Grounded, you first need to unlock a tool called the Grinder to make some bait. The Grinder is unlockable by analyzing Flower Petals, which you can locate early under the rose plants between the fence and koi pond next to the Oak Tree.
With the Grinder blueprint, find a place for it and get to crafting. Once you do, you’re part-way to owning a cute, little bug of your own. Or, you know, a mobile backpack.
Grinder materials:
- 2 Weed Stem
- 2 Acorn Shell
- 3 Flower Petal
- 5 Red Ant Part
Steps on how to tame pets in Grounded
There are three insects available to befriend:
- Aphid
- Gnat
- Weevil
When you’ve made your choice on a pet, open up the Grinder menu. Each pet requires a different kind of slurry as bait. For the Aphid, you need to make Plant Slurry with 1 Plant Fiber. The Weevil requires Mushroom Slurry made with 1 Mushroom. And the Gnat (ew) can be tamed with Spoiled Meat Slurry made with any 1 Spoiled Meat. The Grinder takes time to craft the slurry, which you can add to its queue.
It’s time to choose a new ally. The Aphid and Weevil are easiest to track down since they’re found all over the backyard. For the Gnat, you can find them buzzing over scummy pools of water or hovering near yard lights at night.
With the slurry in hand, approach the bug of your choice and drop the delectable meal on the ground. Aphids are skittish, so give them some room. After a moment, the bug should wander to the food and start eating. If it’s convinced you’re its new friend, the game will show you a pop-up notice on the screen that you have a “New Pet.”
Tips on taming and the buffs pets give you in Grounded
Taming a pet in Grounded isn’t always guaranteed, but it’s worth the effort. It’s wise to bring more than one slurry, as the bug could dine and dash without getting tamed. It took me about four tries to earn the trust of my new Aphid friend. Pets come with their own inventory space where you can hold up to ten items. They can also give you passive buffs:
- Aphid
- Reduces stamina drain rate.
- Weevil
- Reduces thirst drain rate.
- Gnat
- Increases glide speed when using a Dandelion Tuft.
Pets have a happiness rating, and increasing it requires you to give it pats and food. At one point, pets would run away from their owners if they became too unhappy. It doesn’t seem like that’s the case anymore.
You can build your pets a Pet House, which allows you to check its stats and equip Pet Attire such as armor that gives your friend some extra health and increased happiness.
