Sims cannot access appliances (says they are blocking themselves)

Did you add more custom content since yesterday or change anything else ?

Can you start a new game for testing purposes to see if you have the same issue ?

Also for your pets issue, could you post your Computer's DxDiag?

To gather a DxDiag on your computer, please follow the steps here: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/HOW-TO-DxDiag-for-Sims-3-PC-Only/td-p/1049584/