Neopets Gender: Changing Your Pet’s Gender Explained

In Neopets, your pet’s gender—whether male or female—doesn’t significantly affect gameplay but plays an important role in customization and appearance. Certain clothing items or character themes may suit a specific gender better, which is why some players choose to change their Neopet’s gender. If you’ve decided to make the change, several methods are available, each with unique benefits, risks, and costs.

This guide dives deep into all the available methods to help you decide which approach works best for you and your Neopet.

change neopets gender

1. Using the Lab Ray for a Gender Change

The Lab Ray is one of the most popular ways to attempt a gender change because it’s included in the random effects when zapping your Neopet. However, using the Lab Ray requires unlocking it first by collecting and redeeming all nine pieces of the Secret Laboratory Map. These map pieces typically cost around 1.5 million Neopoints when purchased from other players’ shops or trades.

Once you’ve unlocked the Lab Ray, zapping your Neopet could result in:

  • Gender Change: Your Neopet switches from male to female or vice versa.
  • Species Change: Your Neopet turns into a completely different species.
  • Color Change: Your Neopet’s color changes unpredictably.
  • Stat Changes: Key stats such as strength, defense, and agility may increase or decrease.

Why the Lab Ray Is Risky
The Lab Ray is a double-edged sword, especially if you’re zapping a prized pet. While it might successfully change your Neopet’s gender, it could also result in undesirable changes to their color, species, or stats. For example, zapping a Royal Girl Cybunny could accidentally turn it into a Blue Moehog or reduce its battle stats, which can be frustrating if you’ve spent significant resources training your Neopet or customizing its appearance.

Is It Worth It?
Using the Lab Ray for a gender change is best suited for players who don’t mind taking risks or who have less sentimental attachment to the Neopet in question. If your pet is already rare, highly customized, or carefully trained, this method may not be the best choice.

2. Battling the Lab Ray Scientist

Another method involves facing off against the Lab Ray Scientist in the Battledome. To unlock him as a challenger, you must redeem the full Secret Laboratory Map, which is the same requirement as accessing the Lab Ray. Once unlocked, the Lab Ray Scientist may appear in the Battledome.

How the Gender Change Works in Battle
The Lab Ray Scientist wields a Strange Potion, which he sometimes uses during battles. If your Neopet is hit by this potion, its gender will automatically switch:

  • Male Neopets will become female.
  • Female Neopets will become male.

Importantly, this gender change occurs regardless of whether you win or lose the battle. However, the Lab Ray Scientist doesn’t use the Strange Potion in every match, so it might take several battles before your Neopet’s gender is changed.

Why This Method Is Popular
Battling the Lab Ray Scientist is a cost-effective method for players who enjoy Battledome combat or don’t have the Neopoints to buy a Strange Potion outright. Additionally, it avoids the broader risks of zapping, such as species or color changes.

Things to Keep in Mind
To use this method, you’ll need to battle with a Neopet from your main account, as Lab Map redemptions are restricted to main accounts only. Attempting to profit from side accounts by moving pets or maps between accounts could lead to warnings or account freezes.

3. Using a Strange Potion Directly

For a guaranteed gender change without the risks of zapping or battling, you can purchase a Strange Potion from other players. Using this item on your Neopet will instantly change its gender with no additional effects.

Pros:

  • No risk of altering your Neopet’s species, color, or stats.
  • Instant results without needing multiple attempts.

Cons:

  • High Cost: Strange Potions are among the priciest items in Neopets, with prices ranging from 1 million to 2 million Neopoints. This method is best suited for players with a healthy Neopoint budget.

4. Morphing Potions or Witchy Neggs

Another option for changing your Neopet’s gender is to use specific items with gender-altering effects.

Morphing Potions

Some Morphing Potions, such as the Royal Boy Kyrii Morphing Potion or Royal Girl Kyrii Morphing Potion, will change both your Neopet’s species and gender. While effective, this method sacrifices your pet’s current species, making it less appealing for players attached to their Neopet’s original form.

Witchy Neggs

Witchy Neggs are another potential option, but they come with significant risks. In addition to changing gender, a Witchy Negg may:

  • Change your Neopet into a different species, such as a Moehog, Lenny, or Tuskaninny.
  • Alter your Neopet’s intelligence by increasing or decreasing points.

Witchy Neggs are highly unpredictable, so they’re only recommended for players willing to accept the potential downsides.

5. Historical Methods: Cape of the Sun

In the past, the Cape of the Sun item could change a Neopet’s gender when equipped. However, this functionality was a glitch and has since been fixed by The Neopets Team (TNT). The Cape of the Sun no longer affects gender, making it purely cosmetic today.

6. Effects on Unconverted and Royal Pets

Changing a Neopet’s gender can have unique effects depending on its type:

Unconverted Pets (UCs)

Unconverted Neopets (pets that existed before the April 2007 customization update) retain their original artwork regardless of gender changes. This means you can safely change the gender of an unconverted pet without altering its rare design.

Royal Pets

Royal pets undergo subtle cosmetic changes when their gender is altered. For example:

  • Male Royal pets may gain fluttery eyelashes when changed to female.
  • Female Royal pets may lose their eyelashes when changed to male.

However, clothing and other gender-specific designs will remain tied to the pet’s original form, even after a gender change. For instance, a Royal Girl’s outfit won’t automatically convert to a Royal Boy’s attire if the gender is changed.

What’s the Best Method to Change Gender?

Choosing the right method depends on your priorities:

  • For guaranteed results and no risks: Use a Strange Potion.
  • For a budget-friendly option: Battle the Lab Ray Scientist.
  • For a thrill of randomness or multitasking: Use the Lab Ray.
  • For a gender change and species swap: Consider Morphing Potions.

Ultimately, if you have a cherished or rare pet, it’s best to avoid risky methods like the Lab Ray or Witchy Neggs. However, if you’re experimenting with a less valuable pet, these options can be both exciting and cost-effective.

Changing your Neopet’s gender can be a fun way to further personalize your virtual companion, but it’s essential to choose the method that aligns with your goals and budget!