Cats in Minecraft aren’t just cute companions—they’re functional, fun, and a must-have in every player’s village or base. Since their introduction, these stealthy felines have become fan favorites for their ability to ward off creepers, follow players, and bring random gifts while you sleep. Whether you’re building a peaceful survival town or a bustling farm, Minecraft cats are both charming and practical additions to your blocky world.
This guide will help you understand everything about cats in Minecraft—from taming and breeding to the hidden mechanics that make them useful in unexpected ways.
Where to Find Cats in Minecraft
Natural Spawn Locations
Cats don’t spawn just anywhere. You can find them naturally in:
- Villages (with at least one bed and one villager)
- Swamp huts (where black cats spawn near witches)
Villages with more beds tend to spawn more stray cats, offering variety in fur types and colors.
How Many Cat Types Are There?
As of recent versions, there are 11 different cat skins in the game. These range from tabby and tuxedo to Siamese and even a scarred variant. Each cat type is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect behavior or stats.
Some types include:
- Tuxedo
- Tabby
- Calico
- Jellie (chosen by the community)
- Persian
- Ragdoll
- All black (swamp exclusive)
How to Tame a Cat in Minecraft
Find a Stray Cat
Stray cats will run away if you approach too quickly. Sneak or crouch to avoid scaring them off.
Use Raw Fish
To tame a cat, you’ll need either:
- Raw cod
- Raw salmon
Hold the fish and wait for the cat to approach. Once close, right-click or tap to feed it. You may need to use multiple fish. Hearts will appear when the cat is tamed.
Taming Tips
- Don’t chase the cat—stay still.
- Bring at least 10 raw fish just in case.
- Fish can be caught using a fishing rod in any water source.
Behavior of Tamed Cats
Following You
Once tamed, cats follow you around unless told to sit. They can teleport to you if you move too far away.
Sitting vs. Standing
Right-click (or tap) a cat to make it sit or stand. A sitting cat stays put, which is useful when organizing them at your base or keeping them in a room.
Sleeping and Gifts
Tamed cats sleep near the player when the player sleeps in a bed. In the morning, they may leave behind a gift, such as:
- Rabbit’s foot
- Phantom membrane
- Feather
- Raw chicken
This only happens if the cat is not told to sit before you sleep.
Cats and Creepers
One of the best mechanics in Minecraft is that creepers are afraid of cats. This makes cats incredibly useful for:
- Defending villages
- Protecting your base
- Keeping hostile mobs at bay without fighting
Place sitting cats strategically around doors, walls, or valuable builds.
How to Breed Cats in Minecraft
Requirements
You’ll need:
- Two tamed cats
- Raw cod or raw salmon
Feed both cats, and hearts will appear, followed by a kitten. The kitten inherits the skin of one parent randomly.
Kitten Growth
Kittens take 20 minutes to grow into adult cats. You can speed this up by feeding them more raw fish.
Can You Dye Cats Like Dogs?
No, cat collars cannot be dyed in Minecraft, unlike dog collars. However, mods may allow for more customization if you’re using Java Edition with add-ons.
Differences Between Java and Bedrock Versions
There are only minor differences in cat behavior between Java and Bedrock editions:
- In Bedrock, cats may spawn with villagers even if beds are minimal.
- Java Edition requires stricter spawning rules.
- The gifting mechanic while sleeping functions slightly more consistently in Bedrock.
Protecting Your Base with Cats
Cats are ideal for passive defense. Here are some smart ways to use them:
- Place them near chests, furnaces, or villager houses to prevent creeper damage.
- Use sitting cats as decoration while they serve defensive purposes.
- Keep a few around outdoor farms or walkways at night.
Can Cats Teleport?
Yes. If you walk too far from your cat, it will teleport to you—as long as it’s not sitting. This makes them reliable travel companions, whether exploring forests or mining in caves.
However, cats won’t teleport across dimensions (like from the Overworld to the Nether or End), so you’ll need to bring them manually if needed.
How to Get All Cat Skins
Each cat type has an equal chance of spawning. To collect all skins:
- Visit multiple villages
- Breed cats frequently
- Search swamp huts for black cats
Keep checking back after taming a few cats—the game will spawn more over time based on beds and villagers.
Fun Facts About Minecraft Cats
- The Jellie skin was chosen by the community in a vote and is based on YouTuber GoodTimesWithScar’s real cat.
- Cats don’t take fall damage—so they’re often seen leaping from rooftops.
- Unlike dogs, cats cannot be used for direct combat, but they make up for it with utility.
- Cats are immune to fall damage, but not to lava or drowning, so keep an eye on them in risky environments.
Using Cats for Aesthetic Builds
Want to make your village look lively? Tamed cats are perfect for:
- Sitting on cushions or beds
- Guarding entrances
- Chilling on fences, hay bales, or inside cottages
They enhance the cozy atmosphere of any build and bring life to towns and homes.
FAQs About Minecraft Cats
How do you tame a cat in Minecraft?
Use raw cod or raw salmon. Hold it out, wait for the cat to approach, then feed it until it tames.
Do cats scare away creepers in Minecraft?
Yes, creepers avoid cats, making them perfect for defense in survival mode.
How many types of cats are there in Minecraft?
There are 11 different cat skins, including tuxedo, Siamese, tabby, and the community-voted Jellie.
Can you breed cats in Minecraft?
Yes, feed two tamed cats raw fish and they will produce a kitten.
Do cats teleport to the player?
Yes, if not sitting, cats will teleport when you get too far away.
