How to Craft a bow and arrow in minecraft

Welcome to the comprehensive guide on transforming the wary wild felines of Minecraft into loyal, protective companions. Taming a cat in your world is more than just gaining a cute pet; it involves mastering specific mechanics, understanding animal behavior, and utilizing the right resources to earn their permanent allegiance. While the process appears simple, success depends on patience, precise movement, and a thorough knowledge of the differences between the two primary feline entities in the game: the stray cat and the jungle ocelot.

Since the Village and Pillage update, the dynamics of feline acquisition have changed significantly. Where previously the Ocelot was the sole precursor to the domestic cat, the game now features two distinct mobs, each requiring a specialized approach. This guide will provide you with the exact strategies and verified facts you need to not only tame your first feline friend but also to breed a thriving, useful clowder of cats to protect your base from the dangers lurking in the dark.

Preparation: Gathering the Feline’s Favorite Meal

The foundation of any successful taming attempt lies in proper preparation. Unlike dogs, which require bones, Minecraft’s cats and ocelots demand fish. Specifically, the only two acceptable items for taming and breeding are Raw Cod and Raw Salmon. It is crucial that the fish is uncooked; feeding them cooked fish will not initiate the taming process.

The Essential Ingredient: Raw Fish

Players should not underestimate the sheer quantity of fish required. The taming success is governed by a small element of chance (Random Number Generation or RNG), and while some lucky players may succeed with a single piece of fish, stubborn cats can sometimes require up to twenty or more. Therefore, it is highly recommended to approach any taming expedition with a minimum stack of 20 Raw Cod or Raw Salmon to ensure you do not run out halfway through the process and have to start over.

Both Raw Cod and Raw Salmon work interchangeably for taming and breeding purposes. Gathering a large quantity is the necessary first step. This can be achieved either by passively fishing using a rod or by actively hunting the fish mobs in oceans, rivers, or lakes. The fishing rod provides a safer, more renewable source, especially if enchanted with Lure and Luck of the Sea, which significantly increase the rate of catching fish and valuable items, respectively.

Mastering the Art of Fishing

For those aiming to quickly stockpile fish, fishing is the most efficient method. Crafting a fishing rod requires three sticks and two pieces of string. Once at a water source, cast your line and wait for the bobber to sink, indicating a bite. Pulling the line back at the precise moment the bobber submerges is key to success. Spending time early in your playthrough to gather resources and enchant a top-tier rod will save immense time later, allowing for stacks of raw fish to be collected within a single Minecraft day cycle.

Alternatively, if you are near a large body of water, you can choose to directly confront the fish mobs. Killing them with a sword, trident, or even your bare hands will yield the raw fish required. However, this method is significantly slower and less reliable than using an enchanted fishing rod, as fish can be difficult to target underwater, and you must manage your breath and potential hostile aquatic mobs.

Inventory and Movement Preparedness

Taming a cat is a delicate dance of patience and controlled movement. Before you even approach the village or jungle, ensure your inventory is organized. The raw fish must be held in your main hand, ready for immediate use. Your secondary hand should be empty, or contain an item that does not require quick switching. Crucially, you must know how to move stealthily, which means utilizing the crouch feature (Shift key by default on PC).

Stray cats are notoriously skittish and will flee rapidly if a player approaches them while sprinting or even walking normally within a range of seven blocks. By crouching, your character is far less threatening. This subtle yet vital action minimizes the cat’s flight response and is the only reliable way to initiate the taming encounter. Keep your camera movements slow and steady, as sudden jerks can also alarm the wild feline and cause it to bolt, forcing you to wait for its disposition to reset.

Locating Feline Companions in the Overworld

Knowing where to look is half the battle. While all domestic cats share the same set of behaviors and benefits once tamed, their wild counterparts spawn in different biomes and require slightly different strategies. You must first distinguish between the two separate entities in the game: the tameable stray cat and the untameable but trustable ocelot.

Tracking Down Stray Cats in Villages

The Stray Cat is the primary target for players seeking a loyal pet. These cats spawn naturally within villages, provided the village meets certain criteria. For cats to spawn, the village must have at least five claimed beds belonging to villagers. Once this condition is met, up to ten stray cats can exist within the village boundaries at any given time. If the cat population exceeds this limit, new ones will not spawn, though the existing ones will not despawn.

Stray cats appear in eleven different coat patterns, ranging from the common Tabby and Tuxedo to the exotic Siamese and the unique Jellie (a gray and white cat dedicated to a community cat contest winner). When searching a village, look near villager homes, especially around beds, or near the central village point. Cats are often found resting on chests, beds, or furnaces, or simply wandering the paths. Once you locate one, you are ready to begin the careful taming process.

Encountering the Wild Ocelot in the Jungle

The Ocelot is a separate, wild entity found exclusively in Jungle biomes. Unlike cats, ocelots cannot be tamed into actual pets with collars, the ability to sit, or the gift-giving mechanic. However, they can be made to trust the player. This is a subtle but important distinction. Ocelots are even more evasive than stray cats, sprinting away from players who get too close, regardless of whether they are crouching.

To gain an Ocelot’s trust, you must still use Raw Cod or Raw Salmon. The process involves holding the raw fish and standing still within ten blocks of the Ocelot. If you remain motionless, the Ocelot will slowly and timidly approach you. If you move, break eye contact, or switch items while it is approaching, it will flee. Once it is close enough, you can feed it multiple fish. When it gains trust, it will stop fleeing from you, though it will not gain a collar or follow commands like a tamed cat would.

The Elusive Black Cat and Swamp Huts

One specific cat variant, the Black Cat, is often sought after due to its striking appearance. While black cats can spawn in villages like any other color, their spawn rate is slightly higher, and they are guaranteed to spawn specifically within or near a Swamp Hut. These huts are easy to identify by their unique shape, often built on stilts over water in Swamp biomes and usually accompanied by a witch.

Finding a black cat at a Swamp Hut is a reliable alternative to waiting for one to appear in a village. Furthermore, on a full moon night, the chance of a black cat spawning in a standard village is temporarily increased. This provides an excellent opportunity for players who prefer to stay near their home base rather than undertaking long exploration missions to the deepest jungles or distant swamp biomes.

The Definitive Step-by-Step Taming Process

The taming of a stray cat requires a methodical, step-by-step approach. Rushing the interaction will almost certainly result in the cat fleeing and resetting the process. It is a game of patience, where the player must project calm and non-aggression to successfully domesticate the wary animal.

Phase 1: The Subtle Approach

When you spot a stray cat in a village, immediately stop sprinting or fast-walking. Switch to your main hand holding either the Raw Cod or Raw Salmon. Next, activate your crouch (sneak) function. The stray cat will flee if you are closer than seven blocks and moving quickly. Crouching allows you to get closer without triggering its flight mode. Slowly and deliberately move towards the cat, maintaining a distance of roughly four to six blocks. The cat should stop fleeing, but it will likely still look away or move slightly to keep its distance.

At this point, you must stop moving completely. The cat must initiate the final approach. If you stand still while holding the raw fish, the cat may eventually turn and begin to approach you slowly, tentatively creeping closer, often with its head lowered. This is the crucial non-verbal sign that the cat has acknowledged your presence and the food you hold, and the taming window is open.

Phase 2: Patience and the Approach Indicator

As the cat slowly approaches, it is paramount that you do not move and do not look directly at the cat’s face with your crosshair. Keeping your crosshair slightly off to the side of the cat, or slightly below it, helps maintain the illusion of non-threat. If you move your crosshair too quickly or directly stare at the cat, it can be startled and break the approach. Wait until the cat is standing directly in front of you, or within a single block’s reach.

The cat’s behavior when it is close is your signal. It may sit down briefly, or simply stop moving directly in front of your character. At this point, it is in range to be fed. The length of this waiting phase is entirely dependent on the cat’s mood and the game’s RNG, and can feel agonizingly long, but rushing will only undo your progress.

Phase 3: Successful Feeding and Conversion

Once the cat is close and stationary, rapidly right-click (or use the equivalent “use item” button on your console) to feed it the raw fish. Feed it multiple times in quick succession. Do not pause between feeding attempts, as any delay might allow the cat time to walk away or reset its status. Each piece of fish consumed has a chance to tame the cat. The moment the taming succeeds, a flurry of heart particles will erupt from the cat’s head.

Following the heart particles, the cat’s appearance will immediately change, gaining a distinctive red collar around its neck. The cat is now officially your pet. It will immediately switch its behavior, ceasing to run away and instead standing up, ready to follow you. The newly tamed cat will now follow you wherever you go, teleporting to your location if you move too far away or enter a new area. Remember to use an empty hand to right-click your cat to toggle between the sit and follow commands.

Advanced Feline Mechanics and Utility

Tamed cats are far more than just decorative companions; they offer significant utility that can drastically improve player safety, especially during nighttime survival.

Essential Pet Benefits: Mob Deterrence

The most crucial tactical advantage of having a tamed cat is its unique interaction with hostile mobs, specifically Creepers and Phantoms. Cats are natural predators, and their presence triggers a strong flight response in these dangerous mobs. A tamed cat will cause Creepers to flee rapidly if they are within a range of six blocks. This is an essential defense mechanism for base security and cave exploration, as a Creeper blast can destroy precious blocks and storage containers.

Similarly, the dreaded Phantom, which attacks players who haven’t slept in several in-game days, is also deterred. Phantoms will avoid flying near a cat, which can prevent them from swooping down and attacking the player. Keeping a cat near your bed or main crafting area is a simple yet effective way to maintain peace in your settlement.

The Gift Mechanic

One of the most charming and rewarding features of tamed cats is their ability to bring gifts to their sleeping owner. If you sleep in a bed while your cat is nearby (and not sitting), there is a chance that the cat will spawn an item on the adjacent block when you wake up. This gift mechanic provides a variety of useful or novel items, making the cat a small, passive source of resources.

String: Cats frequently drop string, which is highly useful for crafting items like bows, fishing rods, and wool. This provides a reliable source of string without having to hunt spiders or dismantle spiderwebs manually, especially early in the game when those resources might be scarce.
Raw Chicken: This gift is a basic food item that can be cooked to provide sustenance and restore hunger points. While not the most valuable resource, receiving raw chicken allows for immediate cooking and consumption, helping the player maintain their hunger bar without having to actively hunt for poultry.
Feather: Feathers are required for crafting arrows, a vital tool for ranged combat and hunting. A steady supply of feathers from your feline companion can reduce the need to farm chickens, streamlining your process for equipping your bow.
Rotten Flesh: Though often considered a drawback, Rotten Flesh is a drop that can still serve a purpose. While eating it gives the Hunger effect, it is excellent for feeding and healing tamed wolves, ensuring your canine companions stay healthy without consuming valuable cooked meats.
Phantom Membrane: This is arguably one of the most valuable gifts, as Phantom Membranes are crucial for repairing Elytra and crafting the Potion of Slow Falling. Since Phantoms are difficult and dangerous to farm, obtaining membranes passively through your cat is a significant convenience.
Rabbit’s Foot: This is a rare drop from rabbits and is the primary ingredient for the Potion of Leaping. Receiving a Rabbit’s Foot as a gift is a fortunate occurrence, saving the player the difficulty and low chance associated with actively hunting rabbits for this ingredient.
Rabbit Hide: While not as rare as the foot, Rabbit Hide is used for crafting leather. Collecting four hides allows the player to craft one piece of leather, which is necessary for creating books, armor, and item frames.
Dried Kelp: In some versions or updates, kelp has been known to be dropped. Dried kelp is an efficient, stackable food source that can sustain players on long trips without taking up much inventory space, providing a quick hunger restoration boost.

Command and Control: Sitting, Following, and Teleportation

Once tamed, the cat becomes subject to player commands. A right-click on the cat with an empty hand will toggle its stance between sitting and following. When sitting, the cat will remain in its exact spot indefinitely until commanded to move or until it is physically attacked by a mob or player. A sitting cat will not follow you, will not teleport, and will not bring gifts after you sleep.

When the cat is set to follow, it will actively pathfind to your location. If you travel more than twelve blocks away from the cat, or if there is a significant geographical barrier between you, the cat will automatically teleport to a safe, visible block near your current position. This ensures that even if you leave your pet behind during a long mining trip or overland journey, it will reappear by your side when you next enter a safe area, preventing it from becoming lost.

Breeding Your Feline Army: Creating Kittens

Taming two cats is only the beginning. Breeding your tamed companions allows you to expand your clowder, collect all the available coat varieties, and create a powerful security force for your base. The process is straightforward and relies on the same food source used for taming.

Requirements for Successful Breeding

To successfully breed cats, you need two conditions met. First, you must have two adult cats that have already been tamed (indicated by their collars). Second, both cats must be in the following state, meaning they cannot be sitting down. A cat that is sitting will not enter “love mode” or attempt to breed. Once they are standing, simply approach each cat and feed them either a Raw Cod or a Raw Salmon.

Feeding the fish causes hearts to appear above the cat’s head, signifying that it has entered “love mode.” Once both cats are in this state and are within eight blocks of each other, they will approach one another. After a brief interaction, a small kitten will spawn, and the two parent cats will immediately enter a five-minute cooldown period during which they cannot breed again.

Kitten Coats and Inheritance

The kitten that spawns is automatically tamed and will belong to one of the parents’ owners if the cats belonged to different players. The kitten’s coat color will randomly inherit the texture of one of its parents. If you are aiming to collect all eleven cat varieties, you may need to breed multiple generations to get the desired rare patterns. The eleven unique coat variations currently available are:

Tabby: Characterized by a striped brown and orange coat, the tabby is one of the most common and recognizable cat patterns in the game. It is often the first cat type a player encounters in a village, making it a reliable starting companion for the cat enthusiast.
Tuxedo: This classic black and white coat resembles a formal suit, with a primarily black body and a white chest and paws. The elegant tuxedo cat is a popular choice for players seeking a sophisticated pet and can be easily spotted in many villages.
Red (Ginger): Featuring a bright orange and white striped pattern, the red or ginger cat stands out clearly. Like its real-world counterpart, this fiery feline is a highly sought-after variant for those building a colorful collection.
Siamese: A distinctive and relatively rare coat, the Siamese cat features a creamy body with darker points on its face, ears, and paws, complemented by bright blue eyes. This exotic pattern adds a touch of rarity to your feline family.
British Shorthair: This cat has a solid gray coat with prominent orange-yellow eyes, resembling the real-world breed’s stocky appearance. Its dense fur texture makes it look particularly plush and distinct among the other variants.
Calico: Displaying patches of white, black, and orange, the calico pattern is famous for its tri-color presentation. This complex, variegated texture makes the calico one of the more visually interesting cats to find and breed.
Persian: The Persian cat is unique due to its creamy white color and flat, distinct face model, a feature not shared by the other cat variants. It is considered an exotic and unique texture within the game’s feline population.
Ragdoll: A beautiful light gray and white cat with striking blue eyes, the Ragdoll is one of the newer variants added to the game. Its soft coloration and distinct features make it a favorite among many collectors.
Jellie: This special gray and white cat was named after a real cat belonging to a community contest winner. It has light gray-green eyes and a unique, soft pattern that distinguishes it from the British Shorthair.
Black: The solid black cat, notorious for its association with Swamp Huts and full moons, is a sleek and spooky option. Its monochromatic appearance makes it a classic choice for players living in dark or gothic-themed bases.
White: A pure white coat with yellow or green eyes defines this variant. The white cat is a simple yet elegant addition to any collection and is easily identifiable even from a distance.

Accelerating Growth and Cat Population Control

A newborn kitten takes approximately twenty minutes of in-game time (one full day-night cycle) to grow into an adult cat. If you are impatient to expand your clowder, you can accelerate the kitten’s growth process by feeding it Raw Cod or Raw Salmon. Each piece of raw fish fed reduces the remaining time to maturity by 10%, meaning that after approximately 28 feedings, the kitten will instantly grow into a full adult, ready to assist with base defense and, eventually, breeding.

Managing a large population of cats, known as a clowder, can be important for performance and utility. Players may opt to keep a dedicated sitting area for their cats within a fenced enclosure to prevent them from constantly teleporting to them during major expeditions. This allows the player to quickly access their protective companions when they return to base, and also prevents the sometimes-annoying habit cats have of sitting on chests, furnaces, or beds, preventing the player from using them.

Maintaining Your Cat’s Health and Safety

Your tamed companion will occasionally take damage from mobs, lava, or even friendly fire. Knowing how to quickly heal your pet and understanding its inherent protections is vital for its longevity.

Healing and Damage Prevention

Unlike tamed wolves, which require any type of meat (excluding fish) for healing, cats are healed by the same food they were tamed with: Raw Cod or Raw Salmon. Right-clicking a damaged cat while holding raw fish will restore a small portion of its health. You will see health particles appear, similar to when a player consumes food.

Fortunately, cats possess a significant advantage over many other mobs: they are immune to fall damage. This means you do not have to worry about your cat plummeting from a high cliff or scaffolding when following you. However, they are still susceptible to fire, lava, and damage from explosions and hostile mobs, meaning they should not be left unattended in dangerous areas like the Nether or deep caves unless actively defending against Creepers.

Personalizing Your Pet: Name Tags and Collar Dye

To fully personalize your companion, you can rename your cat using a Name Tag and an Anvil. Place the Name Tag into the anvil, rename the item to your desired pet name, and then use the renamed tag on the cat. This is highly recommended, as named mobs will never naturally despawn, ensuring your favorite feline is a permanent fixture in your world.

Additionally, you can customize the color of your cat’s collar. By default, the collar is red. You can change this color by holding any dye—such as Bone Meal (white), Lapis Lazuli (blue), or Cactus Green (green)—and right-clicking the cat. This small touch of customization allows you to differentiate between multiple cats or simply match your pet’s aesthetic to your base design.

Troubleshooting Taming Failures

If you are struggling to tame a stray cat, there are a few common pitfalls that players experience, particularly in the Java Edition, which is generally considered more challenging than Bedrock in taming mechanics. Most failures boil down to one of two critical errors: movement or crosshair placement. If the cat keeps running away, confirm you are:

Crouching: You must be sneaking (crouching) when approaching or standing near the cat. Even a brief moment of walking upright can scare the animal.
Standing Still: Once you are within four to six blocks, you must stop all character movement and wait for the cat to initiate its slow approach toward you. Do not chase it, as this will never result in successful taming.
Avoiding Direct Eye Contact: Looking directly at the cat with your crosshair while it is attempting to approach is often the reason it runs off. Aim your crosshair slightly off the side of its body.
Using Raw Fish: Verify you are holding Raw Cod or Raw Salmon, not the cooked versions.

If you corner a cat against a wall or in a fenced area, it may be easier to feed, as it has nowhere to flee. However, some players report this can still fail if the player moves too aggressively into the space.

Ocelots: Earning Trust, Not Taming

It is worth reiterating the distinct position of the Ocelot in modern Minecraft (post-1.14 updates). While their ancestor once became a cat, the wild Ocelot of the Jungle biome is now functionally a separate, beautiful wild animal that cannot be domesticated.

Ocelot Trust Mechanic Explained

When you feed an Ocelot Raw Cod or Raw Salmon, it does not gain a collar or become your follower. Instead, it gains Trust. A trusted Ocelot will no longer run away when you approach it, allowing you to walk up to it normally without it sprinting into the jungle undergrowth. It is essentially a neutral mob that you have befriended, removing its initial fear response toward you.

This “trusted” state is permanent, much like taming a cat. However, the Ocelot retains its wild identity. It will continue to roam the jungle, it will not teleport to you, it will not obey sitting commands, and it will not provide the gift drops upon sleeping. If you wish to keep a trusted Ocelot near your base, you must use a Lead to bring it home and enclose it in a secure pen, or it will wander off.

Practical Use of Trusted Ocelots

Despite not being a domestic pet, the Ocelot still possesses the inherent ability to scare away Creepers. Therefore, a trusted Ocelot can be strategically used as a stationary defender in a jungle base or near a resource outpost. If you lead a trusted Ocelot to an enclosure around your home, it will patrol the area and keep Creepers at bay. This provides a niche but valuable function for the wild feline, separating its utility from the domestic cat.

Pro Tips for Master Tamers

For players looking to streamline the taming process and maximize the utility of their feline friends, these expert insights can prove invaluable:

The Water Trap Tactic: If a stray cat is being particularly stubborn or is in an open area where it constantly runs away, you can gently nudge or guide it into a small body of water (like a 2×2 pond). Mobs move slower in water, which prevents the cat from sprinting away, making it easier to close the distance and rapidly feed it the necessary Raw Cod or Salmon. This is a common method for dealing with excessively evasive cats.
Fishing Farm Investment: If you plan on having many pets (cats and wolves) or utilizing the breeding mechanic extensively, setting up an efficient, semi-automatic fishing farm early on is a massive time saver. An automated farm can passively generate hundreds of fish, drastically reducing the time spent resource gathering and ensuring a constant supply of healing and breeding fuel.
Cat Enclosures and Pathfinding: Cats are famous for sitting on things you need, like chests and furnaces. To mitigate this frustration, build a dedicated, fenced enclosure for your cats near your home. Include a few simple carpeted blocks or designated “cat beds” within the pen. When you return home, immediately command your following cats to sit in the pen. This prevents them from teleporting to you inside your house or on top of functional blocks.
The Creeper-Proof Perimeter: Strategically placing tamed cats around the perimeter of your base, set to sit on top of walls or fence posts, can create a permanent, invisible defense against Creepers. Since their blast radius is destructive, having cats spaced every twelve to fifteen blocks around your settlement can effectively establish a wide safety zone where Creepers will not venture.
Bed Safety Check: If your cat is sitting on your bed when you attempt to sleep, the game will prevent you from using the bed. Always check the area around your bed before sleeping. If the cat is sitting, simply right-click it to make it stand up and move away. If it is standing nearby, it may still provide a gift upon waking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tame an Ocelot and turn it into a cat in the latest version of Minecraft?

No. Since the Village and Pillage update (1.14), Ocelots and Cats are distinct mobs. Ocelots, found in the Jungle, can only gain your trust and will stop running away, but they will not receive a collar, follow commands, or teleport. If you want a tamed pet, you must find a stray Cat in a village.

How many pieces of raw fish does it take to tame a cat?

The number varies due to a random chance factor (RNG). It can take anywhere from one to ten pieces of Raw Cod or Raw Salmon to tame a cat. However, due to unlucky rolls, it can sometimes take more. Always bring at least ten to twenty fish per taming attempt to ensure you have enough resources to succeed.

My tamed cat won’t follow me—what’s wrong?

The most common reason a cat won’t follow is that it is currently set to sit. Right-click the cat with an empty hand; this will make it stand up and begin following you again. If it is set to follow but is stuck, moving far enough away (more than twelve blocks) and waiting a few seconds should trigger its automatic teleportation mechanism to bring it to your side.

Can cats take fall damage in Minecraft?

No, cats are immune to fall damage. This is a major advantage that makes them durable pets during exploration, as you do not need to worry about them accidentally falling to their death from high places, unlike many other mobs. They can, however, still be injured by other sources, such as hostile mobs, fire, or lava.

Do cats and Ocelots scare away all hostile mobs?

Tamed cats and trusted Ocelots are effective against Creepers and Phantoms. They will cause these specific mobs to flee rapidly when they are within range. However, they do not deter or scare away other hostile mobs like Zombies, Skeletons, Spiders, or Endermen. For protection against these, you must rely on tamed wolves or other forms of base defense.

Conclusion

Taming a cat in Minecraft is a rewarding endeavor that adds loyalty, charm, and practical defense to your world. The journey begins with gathering a plentiful supply of Raw Cod or Raw Salmon and understanding the crucial distinction between the tamed village cat and the trusted jungle Ocelot. By employing the subtle tactics of crouching, standing still, and patience, you can earn the allegiance of a stray cat, transforming it into a vital companion that repels the most dangerous mobs, like Creepers and Phantoms, and provides valuable gifts. From customizing its collar color to breeding a clowder of every possible coat pattern, integrating feline companions into your survival strategy is an essential step toward mastering the Overworld and creating a secure, thriving home.