If you’ve played Neko Atsume, you already know how relaxing and adorable this mobile cat-collecting game is. While many common cats show up with ease, a huge part of the fun comes from trying to lure the elusive rare cats. These special visitors only appear under specific conditions, and each brings unique charm, personality, and style to your yard. For fans of the game, collecting all rare cats is a key goal and bragging right.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Neko Atsume rare cats—how to attract them, what toys or goodies they love, and what sets them apart from the regular feline crowd.
What Are Rare Cats in Neko Atsume?
Defining Rare Cats
Rare cats are special visitors that don’t appear randomly like the standard cats. They usually require a particular combination of goodies or themes. Most of them have unique costumes, quirky poses, and signature items they interact with.
Why They Matter in the Game
Rare cats not only offer visual appeal and variety, but they also tend to leave behind more fish (the game’s currency) than standard cats. Plus, they’re essential if you’re trying to fill out your Catbook completely.
How Many Rare Cats Are in Neko Atsume?
There are currently 24 rare cats in the game. The list occasionally expands with updates, so keeping your version of the game updated is key if you want to catch them all.
Some examples include:
- Tubbs – the lazy glutton
- Sassy Fran – the café queen
- Ramses the Great – the pharaoh of your yard
- Xerxes IX – the regal mystery cat
Each cat has a distinct personality, and many even reference famous figures, making them extra delightful to discover.
How to Attract Rare Cats
Use Their Favorite Goodies
Each rare cat prefers specific goodies. These are usually furniture pieces or toys that you can place in your yard. Some cats may be drawn to luxurious items, while others show up for unique, quirky ones.
Offer the Right Food
Many rare cats only appear if you offer high-quality food like:
- Bonito Bitz
- Frisky Bitz
- Deluxe Tuna Bitz
Feeding cheaper food will limit the chances of a rare visitor showing up.
Place the Right Combination
Some rare cats need both a favorite toy and premium food to appear. It’s not just about what you put in the yard—it’s also about placement. Make sure the toy and food are in use and accessible.
Be Patient
Rare cats don’t appear instantly. Sometimes you’ll need to wait hours or even days. Keep checking the app and refilling food to improve your chances.
List of Popular Rare Cats and How to Get Them
Tubbs
- Item: Food bowls (especially when stocked with high-end food)
- Behavior: Tubbs shows up, eats all the food, and leaves a ton of fish.
- Tip: While he doesn’t interact with toys, he still counts as a rare visitor.
Mr. Meowgi
- Item: Scratching Log
- Style: A reference to Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid
- Tip: Use Deluxe Tuna Bitz to attract him faster.
Sassy Fran
- Item: Café-themed goodies like the Fairy-tale Parasol
- Style: Elegant and classy
- Tip: She needs space to sit, so don’t overcrowd the yard.
Billy the Kitten
- Item: Cowboy Hat
- Style: Western-themed
- Tip: He may also appear if you use other Western-themed items.
Chairman Meow
- Item: Earthenware Pot
- Style: Political parody of Chairman Mao
- Tip: Be patient; he doesn’t come often but leaves many fish.
Are Rare Cats Harder to Photograph?
Yes, rare cats often appear briefly or have specific interaction patterns with their items. To photograph them:
- Keep your camera ready
- Don’t disturb them
- Visit the game frequently
Once you snap a picture, it gets added to your Catbook as proof of your rare encounter.
Earning Mementos from Rare Cats
Mementos are special items cats leave once they become fond of your yard. Rare cats are no exception. They’ll leave unique mementos like:
- Old coins
- Seashells
- Buttons
- Trinkets
These are not used as currency but symbolize your relationship with each cat.
Tips to Maximize Rare Cat Visits
Expand Your Yard
Buying the Yard Expansion doubles the space and increases your chances of attracting multiple cats—including rare ones—at once.
Don’t Use the Same Setup
If a rare cat hasn’t shown up in a while, try changing up your toys and food combinations. Variety often leads to success.
Keep Premium Food Stocked
Use high-quality food often. Even though it costs more gold fish, the payoff with rare cat visits is worth it.
Track Visits with the Catbook
Use the Catbook feature to keep tabs on who has visited, who’s still missing, and how many visits each cat has made. This will help you fine-tune your strategy.
Which Rare Cat Brings the Most Fish?
Tubbs is hands-down the most generous when it comes to fish. Although he eats all the food, he usually leaves a large number of silver or gold fish behind. Other generous rare cats include Ramses the Great and Sapphire.
Are Any Rare Cats Seasonal?
While most rare cats can appear year-round, some goodies and themes are seasonal (like Christmas or Halloween). Using these can sometimes help summon rare cats who match that aesthetic.
Are Rare Cats Available in All Yard Types?
Yes, but the background theme may influence how often they visit. For example, Sapphire and Jeeves prefer luxurious setups. Choose yard themes and place high-class items to improve your odds.
FAQs About Neko Atsume Rare Cats
How many rare cats are in Neko Atsume?
There are 24 rare cats currently in the game, each with unique preferences.
What food attracts rare cats?
High-quality food like Bonito Bitz, Deluxe Tuna Bitz, and Frisky Bitz work best.
Which cat leaves the most fish?
Tubbs is known for leaving behind a large amount of fish after eating.
How do I get Tubbs in Neko Atsume?
Place premium food in any bowl, wait for Tubbs to show up and devour it.
Can I get mementos from rare cats?
Yes, once a rare cat visits several times, they may leave a unique memento as a gift.
