Embarking on your Minecraft adventure often involves taming various creatures, but have you ever wondered about training a cat? While cats in Minecraft don’t perform tricks like dogs, they offer valuable companionship and protection against Creepers. This guide will walk you through the simple yet rewarding process of taming and keeping these feline friends. Understanding how to train a cat in Minecraft is less about commands and more about building a bond and utilizing their unique in-game abilities.
The Allure of Feline Companions in Minecraft
Cats, or Ocelots as they are technically known before taming, are passive mobs that can be found in jungle biomes and in villages. Their sleek appearance and independent nature make them a sought-after companion for many players. Unlike dogs, which can be commanded to sit, stay, or attack, Minecraft cats offer a more subtle form of support. Their primary benefit is their ability to scare away Creepers, those dreaded green explosives that can ruin your carefully crafted builds. Having a cat nearby provides a valuable layer of defense, making your explorations and constructions safer.
Understanding Ocelots: The Untamed Feline
Before you can have a trained cat, you first need to find and tame an Ocelot. Ocelots spawn in jungle biomes, typically in small groups. They are naturally skittish and will flee if you approach them directly or attempt to attack them. This natural caution is what makes the taming process a bit of a delicate operation. You’ll need to approach them with patience and the right approach to gain their trust.
The Taming Process: Gaining a Cat’s Trust
Taming an Ocelot in Minecraft is a straightforward process, but it requires a specific item: raw fish. Yes, just like in real life, a bit of raw fish is the key to a cat’s heart in the blocky world of Minecraft.
What You’ll Need:
- Raw Fish: You can obtain raw fish by fishing in any body of water or by killing fish in water. Be sure to cook the fish in a furnace or smoker before feeding it to the Ocelot; while they might accept raw fish, cooked fish is generally preferred and more effective.
- Patience: Ocelots are easily spooked. You need to approach them slowly and carefully.
Step-by-Step Taming Guide:
- Locate an Ocelot: Venture into a jungle biome. Keep an eye out for these shy felines.
- Approach Slowly: Do not sprint or jump towards the Ocelot, as this will scare it away. Crouch (by pressing Shift on PC) and walk slowly towards it.
- Offer Raw Fish: Once you are close enough, you will see an option to “feed” the Ocelot. Select the raw fish from your hotbar and use it on the Ocelot.
- Repeat: You may need to feed the Ocelot multiple pieces of raw fish before it is tamed. Continue feeding it until hearts appear above its head, indicating that it has been successfully tamed.
- The Transformation: Once tamed, the Ocelot will transform into a domestic cat. You will now have a loyal feline companion!
Your New Feline Friend: What Your Cat Can Do
After successfully taming an Ocelot, it becomes your cat. These cats will follow you around and will often teleport to your location if you move too far away. You can right-click on your cat to make it sit or stand. This is useful for keeping them in one place, perhaps by your base or a specific crafting station.
Key Abilities of Your Tamed Cat:
- Creeper Deterrent: This is their most significant passive ability. Cats naturally scare Creepers away. If a Creeper approaches you while a cat is nearby, the Creeper will be intimidated and back away, preventing an explosion. This makes having a cat an invaluable asset for any player who frequently encounters these explosive mobs.
- Gift of Phantom Tunic: Occasionally, after you wake up (meaning you have slept in a bed), your cat might bring you a “gift.” These gifts can include items like string, gunpowder, or even a phantom membrane. While not always the most valuable items, it’s a cute little bonus from your furry friend.
- Companionship: Beyond their utility, cats provide a sense of companionship. They add life and personality to your Minecraft world, making your solitary adventures feel a little less lonely.
Advanced Cat Care and Interaction
While “how to train a cat in Minecraft” primarily revolves around the taming process, there are a few other aspects to consider for optimal feline companionship.
Breeding Cats:
If you have two tamed cats, you can breed them to get a kitten. Simply feed both adult cats raw fish, and a kitten will be born. The kitten will grow into an adult cat over time. This is a great way to accumulate more feline guardians for your base.
Sitting and Following:
As mentioned, you can right-click on your cat to make it sit. This is incredibly useful if you want to keep your cat in a specific spot, like guarding your front door or sitting on a chest. To make it follow you again, simply right-click on it while it is sitting.
Different Cat Varieties:
Minecraft features several coat patterns for tamed cats, each with a unique appearance. These include:
- Black Cat: Resembles a black cat.
- Blue Cat: Similar to a Siamese cat.
- Citron Cat: A ginger and white patterned cat.
- Gray Cat: A tabby-like pattern.
- Hobby Cat: Resembles a British Shorthair.
- Persian Cat: Looks like a flat-faced Persian.
- Ragdoll Cat: Distinctive coloring.
- Red Cat: Resembles a ginger tabby.
- Siamese Cat: A classic Siamese appearance.
- Tabby Cat: A common striped pattern.
- White Cat: A solid white cat.
The variety you get is random upon taming, so you might end up with a whole colorful cat crew!
Frequently Asked Questions About Training Minecraft Cats
Q1: Can I teach my Minecraft cat to perform tricks?
A1: No, unlike dogs, Minecraft cats cannot be taught tricks or given commands like “sit” or “stay” in the same way. Their primary roles are companionship and deterring Creepers. However, you can make them sit or stand by right-clicking them.
Q2: Where can I find Ocelots to tame?
A2: Ocelots spawn naturally in jungle biomes. You’ll need to explore these lush, tree-filled environments to find them. They can also sometimes be found in villages, though jungles are their primary habitat.
Q3: What happens if I attack an Ocelot or tamed cat?
A3: If you attack an Ocelot, it will flee. If you attack a tamed cat, it will not attack you back, but it will run away from you and may stop following you. It’s best to treat your feline companions with kindness.
Q4: Do cats help me fight other mobs?
A4: Cats do not directly attack other mobs. Their main defensive capability is scaring Creepers. They will not engage in combat with zombies, skeletons, or other hostile creatures.
Q5: How do I make my cat follow me again after it sits?
A5: To make a sitting cat follow you again, simply right-click on it. It will stand up and resume following you.
Q6: Can I dye my cat in Minecraft?
A6: No, you cannot dye your cat in Minecraft. The color of the cat is determined by its coat pattern, which is randomized upon taming. You can breed cats to get different patterns, but you cannot change a cat’s color directly.
Conclusion: The Enduring Charm of Your Minecraft Cat
While the concept of “how to train a cat in Minecraft” is simpler than you might expect, the bond you form with your feline friend is just as meaningful. From their shy beginnings as Ocelots to becoming loyal companions that ward off danger, cats add a unique dimension to the Minecraft experience. So, next time you’re exploring the jungles or settling into a new base, remember to bring along some raw fish – your future Creeper-repelling, gift-giving companion awaits! Having a cat by your side truly enhances the adventure, making your Minecraft world feel more alive and secure.
