Minecraft, the endlessly explorable sandbox game, is teeming with creatures, from the mundane to the fantastical. Among the most charming and beloved are the cats. More than just decorative additions to your digital home, these feline friends offer tangible benefits and captivating personalities. But did you know that there isn’t just one kind of cat in Minecraft? There are actually 12 distinct breeds, each with its own unique appearance. This article will guide you through the wonderful world of Minecraft cats, detailing each breed, how to find them, and what makes them special.
Taming a Feline Friend: Bringing Cats Home
Before delving into the specifics of each cat breed, it’s important to understand the process of taming these creatures. Unlike dogs, which are tamed with bones, cats require raw fish. Salmon and cod are both acceptable. The key is patience and stealth.
Approach a stray cat slowly while holding the raw fish. Keep your distance and allow the cat to notice you. Gradually move closer, making sure not to startle it. When you are close enough, use the “Use” button (right-click on PC, tap on mobile) to offer the fish. It may take several attempts, but eventually, hearts will appear above the cat, signifying that it has been tamed. Once tamed, the cat will follow you around and sit on furniture if instructed.
Keep in mind that cats in Minecraft are naturally skittish. Sudden movements or loud noises can scare them away, resetting the taming process. The best strategy is to crouch while approaching, as this reduces the chance of alerting the cat.
Where to Find Stray Cats
Stray cats are most commonly found in villages. In fact, villages are the only place they naturally spawn. Larger villages have a higher chance of spawning more cats. Look around houses, in alleyways, and near villagers. Cats are most active during the day, so that’s the ideal time for your feline hunt.
Black cats have a special spawning condition. They are more likely to spawn inside witch huts, making these structures a valuable, albeit dangerous, source of these unique felines.
The 12 Breeds of Minecraft Cats: A Detailed Look
Now, let’s explore the 12 different cat breeds that you can find and tame in Minecraft. Each breed offers a unique aesthetic, adding variety and personality to your virtual pet collection.
Tabby Cat
The Tabby cat is one of the most common and recognizable breeds in Minecraft. It features a classic striped coat pattern, ranging in shades of brown and grey. The Tabby’s familiarity makes it a popular choice among players. They’re a staple in any Minecraft village.
Black Cat
The Black Cat is a sleek and mysterious feline with a completely black coat. As mentioned earlier, they have a higher chance of spawning near witch huts, adding an element of intrigue to their acquisition. Black cats are especially popular around Halloween.
Red Cat
The Red Cat, sometimes referred to as an orange tabby, boasts a vibrant reddish-orange coat. Their striking color makes them stand out and adds a touch of warmth to your in-game surroundings. Many players appreciate the red cat’s bright appearance.
Siamese Cat
The Siamese Cat is easily recognizable by its pale cream-colored coat and darker points on its face, ears, paws, and tail. Its elegant and distinctive appearance makes it a sought-after breed among collectors. They are fairly common in villages, so you should find one quickly.
British Shorthair Cat
The British Shorthair Cat features a dense, plush grey coat, giving it a cuddly and comforting appearance. Its round face and charming demeanor make it a beloved breed among Minecraft players. They provide a feeling of companionship.
Calico Cat
The Calico Cat is a colorful and uniquely patterned breed, featuring patches of white, black, and orange fur. No two Calico cats are exactly alike, making each one a truly special addition to your Minecraft family. Their random patterns are highly appealing.
Persian Cat
The Persian Cat is a luxurious and fluffy breed with a long, flowing white coat. Its elegant appearance and gentle demeanor make it a prized possession among players who appreciate style and sophistication. Their long fur is their most distinctive feature.
Ragdoll Cat
The Ragdoll Cat is a relaxed and docile breed with a semi-long coat and striking blue eyes. Its gentle nature and beautiful appearance make it a popular choice for players seeking a calm and comforting companion. This cat breed stands out significantly.
White Cat
The White Cat is a simple yet elegant breed with a completely white coat. Its pristine appearance adds a touch of purity and sophistication to any Minecraft home. Finding one adds a special touch to your Minecraft world.
Jellie Cat
The Jellie Cat is a unique breed added in honor of a real-life community member’s cat. It features a distinctive design with a brown and white coat and a charmingly derpy expression. The Jellie cat is a tribute to the Minecraft community.
Scottish Fold Cat
The Scottish Fold Cat is known for its distinctive folded ears, giving it an adorable and endearing appearance. This breed is highly sought after by players who appreciate unique and charming pets. Their folded ears make them easily identifiable.
All Black Cat
The All Black Cat is, as the name suggests, completely black in colour. It adds an element of mystery and intrigue to your Minecraft world. They are typically seen around witch huts.
The Benefits of Having Cats in Minecraft
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, cats in Minecraft offer some practical benefits. One of the most significant is their ability to scare away Phantoms. Phantoms are hostile flying creatures that spawn at night if the player hasn’t slept in a bed for several days. Cats will hiss and arch their backs at Phantoms, causing them to flee. This can be invaluable for players who prefer to stay up all night working on their builds.
Cats also have the useful habit of gifting items to their owners. When you wake up in the morning, your cat might bring you a present, such as a rabbit’s foot, feather, string, or even a phantom membrane. While these gifts are random, they can be a helpful source of resources.
Finally, cats simply add a touch of life and personality to your Minecraft base. Watching them wander around, nap on your bed, or chase after a laser pointer (created with a redstone torch and some imagination) can be incredibly rewarding and make your virtual home feel more complete.
Name Tags and Personalization
Once you’ve tamed your feline companion, you can further personalize them with a name tag. Name tags can be found in dungeons, mineshafts, and woodland mansions, or obtained through fishing. Simply use an anvil to rename the name tag, then use it on your cat. This allows you to give your pets unique identities and further bond with them. Renaming them helps in differentiating between different breeds.
Conclusion: A Feline’s Place in the Minecraft World
Cats in Minecraft are more than just simple mobs; they are companions, protectors, and sources of joy. With 12 different breeds to discover and tame, there’s a feline friend for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a practical ally against Phantoms or simply want a charming pet to brighten your digital world, cats offer a unique and rewarding addition to the Minecraft experience. Happy cat hunting!
How many cat breeds are represented in Minecraft, and what are they?
Minecraft features 12 distinct cat breeds, offering players a delightful variety to encounter and tame. These breeds include Tabby, Tuxedo, Calico, Siamese, Persian, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Red, Black, Jellie (a community-chosen design), All Black, and White.
Each breed boasts unique coat patterns and appearances, adding visual diversity to the game’s feline population. Finding them involves exploring villages, as stray cats tend to congregate in these areas. Taming one requires offering it raw cod or raw salmon, eventually transforming it into a loyal companion.
Where can I find different cat breeds in Minecraft? Are certain breeds rarer than others?
Cats in Minecraft predominantly spawn in villages, particularly those with villagers and beds. The number of cats that can spawn in a village is limited, but you can increase the chances by expanding the village with more houses and villagers.
While most cat breeds have an equal chance of spawning, the All Black cat has a special caveat. It will only spawn in Witch Huts during the night. This makes the All Black cat relatively harder to find compared to other breeds. Jellie can be found like other village cats.
How do I tame a cat in Minecraft, and what are the benefits of having one?
Taming a cat in Minecraft is a straightforward process that involves feeding it raw fish. Specifically, you’ll need raw cod or raw salmon. Approach a stray cat carefully and offer it the fish. It may take several attempts, indicated by hearts appearing above the cat.
Once tamed, a cat becomes a loyal companion that follows you, protects you from Phantoms (annoying flying mobs that appear when you haven’t slept for a while), and occasionally gifts you items like phantom membranes or rabbit’s feet. They also add a charming presence to your bases and adventures.
Can cats despawn in Minecraft after being tamed? What about if they aren’t tamed yet?
Tamed cats in Minecraft, like other tamed animals, will not despawn. Once you’ve successfully tamed a cat, it’s permanently linked to you and will remain in the game world unless it dies. This makes them reliable companions for your adventures.
Untamed stray cats, on the other hand, can despawn under certain circumstances, such as being too far from a player or if the area they’re in is unloaded. To prevent this, it’s best to tame them as soon as possible or keep them in a confined area near a village until you have the opportunity to tame them.
What is the Jellie cat, and how was it added to Minecraft?
The Jellie cat is one of the 12 cat breeds available in Minecraft and holds a unique significance within the community. It wasn’t a naturally occurring design but rather the result of a community vote held by Mojang, the game’s developer.
Players were given the opportunity to choose their favorite design from a selection of cat concepts. Jellie, a ginger and white tabby cat, emerged as the winner, subsequently being implemented into the game as a tribute to its popularity and the community’s involvement in its creation.
Do cats have any specific behaviors or interactions with other mobs in Minecraft?
Cats in Minecraft exhibit several unique behaviors. As mentioned previously, they protect you from Phantoms by hissing and scaring them away. They also have a tendency to sit on furniture like beds and chests, adding a touch of realism and charm to your bases.
Furthermore, cats can scare away Creepers, one of Minecraft’s most iconic hostile mobs. Creepers will actively avoid getting too close to cats, which can be strategically used to protect your builds and yourself from unexpected explosions. This makes cats valuable companions beyond their aesthetic appeal.
Can I breed cats in Minecraft? If so, how does breeding affect the breed of the offspring?
Yes, you can breed cats in Minecraft by feeding two tamed cats raw fish (cod or salmon). Similar to taming, you’ll need to feed each cat enough fish until hearts appear above their heads, indicating that they’re in “love mode”. Shortly after, a kitten will spawn.
The breed of the kitten is determined by a combination of its parents’ breeds. There’s a chance the kitten will inherit the breed of one of its parents, or it might be a completely random breed. The genetic inheritance is not fully deterministic, adding an element of surprise to cat breeding.