August 19, 2026
Rockstar Games developer Aaron Garbut (@AaronGarbut) has officially teased a highly requested new feature for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI: a fully interactive pet ownership system that will let players own, care for, and partner with animals in the open world of Leonida.
In a post shared on X, Garbut provided an early look at the system, introducing the first pet players will be able to own.
Excited to finally share a first look at something we’ve been working on.
Here’s an early preview of GTA VI’s new pet ownership system.
Meet Diesel, the first dog players will be able to own.
You’ll be able to walk him, feed him, and take care of him, but he’s more than just a companion.
Diesel can assist during missions, interact with the world around him, and react dynamically to different situations.
More to share soon.
🐶
— Aaron Garbut (@AaronGarbut)
https://twitter.com/AaronGarbut/status/2090169421683667389?s=20
According to the announcement, pets in GTA VI will go far beyond simple cosmetic companions. Players will need to actively care for their animals through activities such as walking and feeding, while the pets themselves can provide practical assistance during missions, respond dynamically to the environment, and interact with the living, breathing world Rockstar is building.
The reveal has already generated significant excitement among fans, many of whom have long hoped for deeper animal interactions following the popularity of characters like Chop in previous Grand Theft Auto titles. Garbut indicated that additional details about the pet system will be shared in the near future.
Grand Theft Auto VI is currently scheduled for release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
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