In Minecraft, cats are one of the many animals you can tame to make them your companions. While tamed cats can help keep away creepers, provide comfort with their presence, and even sit on your bed, taming them isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. Cats in Minecraft are wary of players and require patience and a bit of strategy to tame successfully.
In this guide, we will explain how to tame a cat in Minecraft, step-by-step, and offer tips to make the process easier. Whether you're a new player or an experienced Minecraft fan, understanding the mechanics behind taming a cat will enhance your gameplay and allow you to add a feline friend to your virtual world.
1. Understanding Minecraft Cats
Before learning how to tame a cat, it's important to understand the behavior of wild cats in the game. In Minecraft, wild cats are actually based on stray cats, which can be found in villages. These cats are skittish and will run away from the player when approached. Taming them requires some patience and a strategy to gain their trust.
Wild Cats vs. Tamed Cats:
- Wild Cats: Found in villages, often wandering around near villagers' homes. They can be different colors and resemble real-world domestic cats.
- Tamed Cats: Once tamed, cats will follow you around, sit when you command them, and sleep on your bed. They also have a special feature: keeping creepers away. Creepers tend to avoid tamed cats, making them a great companion when exploring or building.
Important Notes:
- Cats in Minecraft are different from other animals like wolves or horses. They don’t immediately accept food, and instead require you to approach them slowly and patiently.
2. What You Need to Tame a Cat in Minecraft
To tame a cat in Minecraft, you need to have raw fish—either raw salmon or raw cod—in your inventory. Cats are fond of fish, and offering them these treats is the key to taming them.
How to Obtain Raw Fish:
- Fishing: You can use a fishing rod to catch raw fish from bodies of water, such as oceans, lakes, or rivers.
- Killing Fish: You can also kill fish (such as salmon or cod) in water to collect the raw fish.
Types of Fish:
- Raw Salmon: You can catch this by fishing in the ocean or rivers, or by killing salmon directly in the water.
- Raw Cod: You can fish for cod or kill regular fish in the game.
3. How to Tame a Cat in Minecraft: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Locate a Wild Cat
Wild cats can be found in villages, often near the villagers’ homes. They spawn in village locations, especially in Plains, Savanna, Taiga, and Snowy Taiga biomes. They are usually near villagers and can be spotted roaming around.
- Look for the cat: Wild cats are smaller than other animals and are often found walking on village roofs, near hay bales, or around the community area.
- Stay back and be patient: Wild cats are skittish and will run away from you when you get too close. Be patient and don’t chase after them.
Step 2: Hold Raw Fish in Your Hand
Once you’ve spotted a wild cat, hold raw salmon or raw cod in your hand. You cannot tame a cat without the fish, so make sure to have at least 5-10 raw fish in your inventory for a higher chance of success.
- Prepare your food: Select either raw cod or raw salmon from your hot bar to hold in your hand.
Step 3: Approach the Wild Cat Slowly
Unlike other animals in Minecraft, cats are very shy and will run away if you approach too quickly. You must slowly approach the cat while holding the raw fish in your hand.
- Don't sprint: Running or sprinting will scare the cat away. Instead, walk slowly toward the cat, making sure to stay at a distance so the cat doesn’t run away.
- Be patient: Cats may run away several times as you approach them, but don’t get discouraged. Keep following them at a slow pace, and eventually, they’ll stop running.
Step 4: Feed the Cat Raw Fish
Once you’re close enough to the wild cat, right-click (or press the action button for your platform) to feed it the raw fish. You may need to do this several times before the cat is tamed.
- Watch for heart particles: Each time you feed a cat, you’ll see small heart particles appear above it. These particles indicate that the cat is beginning to trust you and is getting closer to being tamed.
- Multiple attempts: It may take a few tries to tame the cat, so keep feeding it raw fish until the hearts appear.
Step 5: Wait for the Cat to Become Tamed
After several feedings, if the cat’s trust is gained, it will become tamed, and you’ll see a heart symbol over the cat. Once tamed, the cat will stop running away and will follow you around.
- Tamed cat behavior: Tamed cats will sit on command, follow you wherever you go, and can even sleep on your bed if there’s space. They will also keep creepers at a distance by scaring them away.
4. Commands for Tamed Cats
Once your cat is tamed, there are a few basic commands you can use to control it:
- Sit/Stand: Right-click (or press the action button) on the cat to make it sit or stand. When sitting, the cat won’t follow you and will remain in place. You can leave it sitting by your bed or other places in your world.
- Follow: If the cat is standing, it will follow you wherever you go. Be aware that tamed cats can sometimes get stuck behind obstacles, so be mindful of their movement.
- Sleep: Tamed cats can sleep in a bed. When you sleep in your bed, the cat may sleep in the same bed as well.
Tip:
- Cats and beds: Cats are known for sleeping in beds in Minecraft. If you sleep in a bed, your tamed cat might join you, which is a cute feature. However, if there’s no room for the cat to sleep, it will just sit nearby.
5. Why Tame a Cat in Minecraft?
Taming a cat in Minecraft offers several benefits and uses:
- Creeper Repellent: Tamed cats will scare creepers away, preventing them from getting too close to you or your base. This is especially helpful when you're building or exploring at night.
- Companionship: Having a tamed cat following you around or sitting near your base adds a personal touch to your Minecraft world.
- Sleeping Buddy: Cats will sleep in your bed, providing some adorable company while you rest.
- Decoration: You can use your cat to add a nice aesthetic to your home or village. Cats are cute and add life to your builds.
6. Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you're having trouble taming a cat, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Be patient: Cats can take a few attempts to tame. Don’t rush the process—wait for the cat to stop running and allow you to feed it.
- No other animals nearby: Make sure there are no other cats or hostile mobs nearby that could interfere with the taming process.
- Raw fish: Ensure you have enough raw fish. A cat may require several feedings before it is tamed, so stock up in advance.
Conclusion: Taming a Cat in Minecraft
Taming a cat in Minecraft requires patience and a gentle approach, but once you succeed, you’ll have a loyal companion that can help keep creepers at bay and add a touch of warmth to your world. By following the steps above and remembering to be patient, you’ll be able to enjoy the many benefits of having a tamed cat in your Minecraft adventures. Whether you want a cute companion or a natural defense against creepers, taming a cat is a rewarding experience in the game. Happy taming!