Minecraft How to Tame a Cat

Taming a feline companion in Minecraft often boils down to one crucial resource: raw fish, and a good deal of patience. While these adorable creatures may seem elusive and skittish, bringing one into your home offers more than just companionship; it provides practical benefits that can significantly enhance your survival and exploration experience in the blocky world. Understanding the nuances of their behavior and the specific steps required is key to successfully adding a purring protector to your inventory of allies.

For many years, Minecraft players would tame ocelots to acquire cats. However, with the 1.14 Village & Pillage update, cats became their own distinct mob, no longer requiring the taming of their wild jungle counterparts. This change simplified the process while introducing new mechanics for interacting with these now-village-dwelling felines. Tamed cats will loyally follow you, or patiently wait where you leave them, providing a comforting presence and a surprising defense against some of the game’s most annoying threats.

The Indispensable Ingredient: Raw Fish

Before you even think about approaching a stray cat, your first priority must be to stock up on the right kind of bait. Cats in Minecraft have a specific culinary preference: raw fish. This means you’ll need either raw cod or raw salmon. Other types of raw fish, such as tropical fish, will not work for taming. While a single fish might occasionally do the trick, it’s far more common for a cat to require multiple feedings before it trusts you enough to become tamed.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to gather a generous supply. Aim for at least 10 to 20 pieces of raw fish. This might seem like overkill, but running out of fish mid-tame can be frustrating, especially if the cat decides to wander off or gets spooked. Fishing is the most straightforward way to acquire these resources. Craft a fishing rod, find a body of water, and cast your line. Alternatively, you can defeat guardians in ocean monuments for cod, or find salmon in colder ocean biomes.

Locating Your Future Feline Friend

Unlike their ocelot ancestors who roam jungles, stray cats are primarily found in two distinct locations in the current versions of Minecraft. Your best bet is to seek them out in villages. Cats naturally spawn in villages, often seen wandering between houses, sitting on chests, or lounging near villagers. The number of cats in a village is often tied to the number of villagers, so larger, more populated villages tend to have more feline residents.

The second, less common, location is a swamp hut. These eerie structures, home to witches, sometimes have a black cat perched outside. These cats are also untamed and can be adopted just like their village counterparts. Once you’ve identified a potential companion, ensure you have your raw fish ready and prepare for a delicate interaction.

The Art of Taming: A Step-by-Step Approach

Taming a cat requires a gentle touch and a precise method. Cats are inherently skittish creatures, and any sudden movements can send them fleeing. Here’s how to successfully bring one into your fold:

1. Hold the Bait: Equip your raw cod or raw salmon in your active hotbar slot. The cat will often turn its head towards you if you are holding fish, indicating its interest.
2. Approach with Caution: This is perhaps the most critical step. Do not run towards the cat. Instead, walk slowly, or even better, crouch-walk (by holding the sneak key, typically Shift on PC). Moving too quickly or making sudden camera movements will almost certainly scare the cat away, forcing you to wait for it to calm down or find another one. Maintain a steady, unthreatening approach.
3. Initiate Feeding: Once you are within a block or two of the cat, you can begin feeding it. With the raw fish in hand, right-click on the cat (for Java Edition). On console or mobile editions, this typically involves tapping and holding on the cat with the fish selected. You’ll see hearts appear above its head as it consumes the fish.
4. Continue Feeding: Keep feeding the cat raw fish until the hearts disappear, and a visible collar appears around its neck. This collar signifies that the cat is now officially tamed. The color of the collar is red by default, but it can be dyed any color using dyes.
5. Confirmation: Once tamed, the cat will often sit down immediately, and if you move away, it will eventually follow you. You’ve successfully gained a new ally!

Expert Tips for a Purr-fect Tame

Even with the steps outlined, taming can sometimes be tricky. Here are some additional tips to ensure a smoother process:

• Quantity is King: Reiterate the importance of having 10-20 raw fish. The exact number of fish needed is random, so more is always better.
• Cornering or Patience: If a cat repeatedly runs away, try to gently corner it against a wall or in a small enclosed space. Alternatively, if you’re holding fish, sometimes a cat will approach you if you stand still for a moment, especially if it’s not too spooked.
• Platform Specifics: Remember that “right-click” applies to Java Edition. Bedrock and Console players will generally use their “use item” button, which is often a tap and hold gesture on touch screens or a specific trigger/shoulder button on controllers.
• Sitting Command: A tamed cat will follow you everywhere. If you want it to stay put, simply right-click (or equivalent) on it again. It will sit down and remain in that spot until you right-click it again to make it follow. This is useful for keeping it safe at your base or preventing it from getting lost.
• Gifts from Your Feline Friend: Tamed cats sometimes provide you with gifts. If you sleep in a bed with your cat nearby, there’s a chance it will leave a gift, such as string, a feather, or even raw chicken, next to your bed when you wake up.
• The Chest Blocker: Be aware that cats love to sit on chests, making them temporarily inaccessible. You can push them off, or lure them away with raw fish if they are particularly stubborn. This is a minor annoyance for the utility they provide.

Avoiding Common Taming Traps

Many players encounter difficulties when first attempting to tame a cat. Understanding these common pitfalls can save you time and frustration:

• The Speed Demon: The most frequent mistake is moving too quickly. Cats are programmed to be wary. Treat them like real-life stray cats – slow, deliberate movements are key. If you sprint or suddenly turn, the cat will bolt.
• Understocked Angler: Not having enough raw fish is a common oversight. It’s disheartening to get a cat almost tamed only to run out of food and have it wander off. Always over-prepare.
• Ocelot Confusion: A persistent misconception is trying to tame an ocelot into a cat. As mentioned, this is no longer possible in modern Minecraft versions. Ocelots can still be tamed, but they remain ocelots and do not gain the unique benefits of tamed cats. Ensure you’re targeting a true stray cat.
• Wrong Menu: Only raw cod and raw salmon will work. Trying to feed a cat cooked fish, tropical fish, or any other food item will be ineffective and a waste of your resources.

Life with Your Loyal Companion

Once you’ve successfully tamed a cat, you gain more than just a pet; you gain a valuable asset. Tamed cats possess a unique ability: they deter two of Minecraft’s most troublesome hostile mobs. Creepers will actively avoid cats, keeping a safe distance. This can be incredibly useful for protecting your builds and preventing explosive surprises around your base. Additionally, Phantoms, the nocturnal flying nuisances, will also steer clear of tamed cats. Having a cat around your base or even carrying one with you can significantly reduce the threat these mobs pose, making nighttime activities or exploration much safer and more enjoyable.

Bringing a cat into your Minecraft world is a rewarding experience. With a handful of raw fish, a patient approach, and an understanding of their skittish nature, you can easily turn a wild stray into a loyal companion that offers both charm and practical protection. Embrace the purr-fect partnership and enjoy the added layer of security and companionship your new feline friend brings to your blocky adventures.