Cats in Minecraft are versatile companions that offer more than just aesthetic charm to a player's base. These agile felines serve functional roles, including scaring away dangerous phantoms and creepers from your homestead. Understanding how to properly feed and tame them is essential for any player looking to build a secure shelter.
Acceptable Food Options for Minecraft Cats
Cats in Minecraft have a strict carnivore diet consisting exclusively of raw fish options. Players can feed them either raw cod or raw salmon to interact with them effectively. Cooked fish, tropical fish, or pufferfish will not work for taming or breeding purposes.
Gathering raw cod and raw salmon is easily accomplished through fishing in any body of water using a standard fishing rod. Alternatively, stray cats and guardians occasionally drop raw fish upon defeat, though fishing remains the most efficient method. Keeping a healthy supply of raw fish in your inventory ensures you are always prepared to care for your pets.
How to Successfully Tame Stray Cats
Taming a stray cat requires patience and gentle movements, as these creatures start out timid and easily frightened. Approach the stray cat slowly while holding either raw cod or raw salmon in your active hand. Standing completely still allows the cat to gradually walk toward you on its own initiative.
Once the cat is close enough, interact with it repeatedly using the raw fish until red hearts appear above its head. Success is marked by the cat gaining a colorful collar around its neck, signaling that it is now officially tamed. Moving too fast or turning suddenly during the process will cause the cat to flee into the surrounding area.
Healing and Breeding Tamed Cats
Feeding raw fish to an already tamed cat serves two practical purposes within the game mechanics. If your cat takes damage from environmental hazards, feeding it raw cod or raw salmon will restore its health points. You can monitor its health by observing how high its tail is raised in the air.
When two tamed cats are at full health, feeding raw fish to both will trigger love mode and produce a kitten. The newly born kitten will automatically be tamed and will feature a color pattern matching one of its parents. Breeding allows players to establish a larger feline army to defend their perimeter.
Utility and Protection Offered by Felines
Beyond being friendly companions, tamed cats provide valuable tactical benefits around player settlements. Creepers and phantoms actively avoid cats, giving players a peaceful perimeter around their main crafting areas. Positioning tamed cats near entryways or farm plots effectively keeps destructive mobs at bay.
Additionally, tamed cats occasionally bring gifts to their owners after sleeping through the night in a bed. These gifts can include useful items such as phantom membranes, string, or raw chicken. Maintaining a group of well-fed cats ensures continuous utility and protection throughout your survival journey.
