Unfortunately, my girlfriend recently passed on unexpectedly. She left me her Sylveon to care for, but I’m not sure what to do at all as I am a dark type specialist. I already have an Umbreon, so I know some general things, but how do the two differ?

First and foremost, my sincerest condolences for your loss. This must be a difficult time for you, so I hope the following advice helps you grow the bond between you and your late girlfriend’s sylveon.

That said, care for a sylveon doesn’t differ from that for an umbreon, actually. A lot of the basics for umbreon care hold true for all eeveelutions with the exception of perhaps leafeon. You’ll just need to tweak a few things.

For starters, be aware that your sylveon is likely not nocturnal. However, unlike many eeveelutions (with the exception of umbreon, of course), you can gradually train it to be by simply shifting its sleep schedule up one hour every few days. (I wouldn’t recommend doing this immediately, as your sylveon will need a stable schedule to help it mourn and move on.)

Additionally, sylveon and umbreon both follow essentially the same diet (they are both carnivorous), but it’s a good idea to give sylveon live prey now and then. This is for their psychological health, so if you’re squeamish … don’t watch afterwards.

Then you have grooming, and here is where sylveon and umbreon differ the most. While sylveon engage in self-grooming (frequently), it’s also important to bathe them. As you know, it’s ill-advised to bathe an umbreon unless absolutely necessary because this strips their coats of their natural oils and leeches their toxins into the water. Sylveon, on the other hand, require baths to remove dirt from their ribbons and maintain their mental health as fairy-types. Use sweet-smelling soap, warm water, and a soft cloth to gently remove dirt from your sylveon’s coat, then let it soak and splash for about ten minutes. Dry it with a soft towel, then follow with a gentle but thorough brushing. Also, your sylveon may have a preferred shampoo; use it whenever possible.

Finally, both sylveon and umbreon are affectionate, but sylveon is more physical about it. Don’t be surprised if yours wraps your hand with its ribbons or begs for petting. It’s only when a sylveon is violent or overly possessive or demanding that it’s a cause for concern.

One last piece of advice: be sure to follow any instructions your late girlfriend left, including and especially any notes concerning preferences. This will help your sylveon to adjust.

Best of luck, anonymous.