That kind of games is very popular nowadays, and there are several reasons to that:

• You can have your own dog/cat and not pay money for it. There are many free games out there in which you can do simply everything and buy any virtual thing you’d like without paying any money. While some games cost money or offer in-app purchases, there are many other games that are completely free of charge and even the finest items in them can be purchased without spending real money. Everyone knows that owning a pet is not a cheap business, so these games definitely save your money.
• There is no mess or dirt caused when raising a virtual pet. While in real life a pet can cause much mess and destruction from time to time, when you have a virtual dog or cat, your house stays completely clean. Right, they can mess up your virtual home, but let’s admit – it’s not the same.
• Not everyone can take care of a pet in real life. There are many fun pet games that offer this experience without the obligation to always be available for your pet. Some people work long hours or are traveling abroad often, and obviously they can’t have an animal that depends on them at home. For that kind of people, having a virtual pet is the ultimate solution. No need to be around all the time, no need to actually buy food or toys, and no need to go out for long walks outside.