What Do Minecraft Cats Eat?
Explore what Minecraft cats eat, how feeding affects taming and behavior, and practical tips for keeping your feline friends happy across survival and creative modes. Learn core feeding rules and debunk myths about cat diets in Minecraft.

Fish are the primary food for cats in Minecraft. The standard foods you feed a cat are raw cod or raw salmon, which helps tame and heal it, and cooked fish can also be used if you prefer. Other items do not satisfy a cat’s hunger, so focusing on fish makes taming and companionship straightforward. Need to stock up on fish? Fishing farms help.
Understanding Cat Diet in Minecraft
If you’re wondering what do minecraft cats eat, the short answer is: fish. In practice, cats rely on fish items as their primary food source, and feeding them fish plays a key role in taming, loyalty, and survival during adventures. This section lays the groundwork: what counts as fish, why fish matter, and how a simple feeding habit can shape your gameplay experience. According to Craft Guide, fish are the most reliable and accessible option for players at all skill levels. The team has observed that focusing on fish simplifies early taming and long-term companionship, especially for players new to cats in the game. For many players, the first step toward a dependable feline ally is recognizing that the diet is fish-centric, not meat or dairy. The phrase what do minecraft cats eat highlights this core fact and serves as a practical starting point for any cat-keeping strategy. In Minecraft, cats don’t require meat or dairy to function; their appetite is simple and consistent: fish. By designing your early game around a steady fish supply, you reduce surprises during explorations and keep your cat friend content. Finally, remember that companionable cats reward patient players who invest in a reliable fishing workflow.
What Counts as Fish for Cats
Minecraft recognizes several fish items as food for cats, primarily cod and salmon, which are easy to obtain from fishing or from ocean resources. Some players also feed tropical fish; however, the effectiveness can vary by version and biome. In most cases, raw fish is quicker to acquire and tends to yield reliable taming and healing results. Note that cooked fish can be used as well, though it costs more resources and may not be as efficient for taming. Craft Guide analysis shows that raw cod and raw salmon remain the standard for feeding cats due to availability and balance. The key takeaway is consistency: use the same type of fish to predict outcomes when taming or healing. As you plan your cat’s diet, keep in mind that fish are not interchangeable with other food categories, and sticking to fish helps you master the basics quickly.
Feeding Mechanics: Taming, Loyalty, and Healing
Feeding a cat is not just about satisfying hunger; it’s a mechanism to gain loyalty. To tame a wild cat, players use fish to coax hearts; once tamed, feeding fish heals the animal and can revitalize it during combat or long journeys. The exact effect depends on the version of Minecraft you’re playing, but the core idea remains: fish are the reliable option for improving a cat’s disposition. Craft Guide Team notes that feeding cats is a simple, repeatable action that reinforces companionship and reduces risk during travels. In practice, keeping a rotating stock of cod and salmon ensures you’re always ready to tame or heal when you encounter a stray. This behavior supports player exploration, as a loyal cat can act as a mobile beacon, helping you locate your base across biomes.
Step-by-Step Feeding Guide for Different Game Modes
In Survival mode, start by acquiring cod or salmon through fishing or farming. Approach a wild or tamed cat and hold a fish to feed; repeat until you see hearts, which signals taming. Once taming succeeds, you can heal the cat by feeding more fish, or keep it nearby as a loyal companion. If you’re exploring and a cat joins your group, repeat the feeding sequence to maintain loyalty during combat or travel. In Creative mode, you can experiment with different fish types without risk to your inventory. The process remains fish-centric and emphasizes steady, repeated feeding to establish trust. To prepare for long journeys, consider keeping a chest of fish near your entrance so you can quickly feed any stray cat you encounter on your routes. This practical approach helps you scale your cat companion alongside your builds.
Common Misconceptions and Pitfalls
A common myth is that milk or dairy products feed Minecraft cats. In reality, cats respond to fish items, and dairy will not restore hunger or loyalty. Another pitfall is assuming all fish are equally effective; while cod and salmon are standard, some fish variants may vary by version in how they affect taming, healing, or loyalty. Stick to raw cod or raw salmon for consistency and predictability. Some players try to use non-fish items like porkchop or apples, but those foods do not establish a bond with cats and waste valuable inventory space. Finally, beware of naming and taming mistakes: untamed cats may wander if you don’t provide a reliable food source and a safe space to rest.
Practical Tips for Builders and Players
If you’re building a cat-friendly base, keep an accessible stock of fish by setting up a simple fishing farm or an auto-fish farm. Name your cats with a name tag to prevent accidental despawning, and remember that feeding fish is a reliable way to strengthen your bond with them. Practice consistent fishing cycles, and consider storing spare cod or salmon in a dedicated chest near your cat house. You can also use these fish as currency in barter-like builds to teach younger players about cat care. According to Craft Guide’s practical approach, collaboration and experimentation can yield the most enjoyable cat-keeping experience in Minecraft.
Minecraft cat diet overview
| Aspect | Cat Diet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary feeding item | Raw cod, raw salmon | Most reliable for taming and loyalty |
| Other fish items | Tropical fish | May be used but less predictable |
People Also Ask
What items can I feed to tame a Minecraft cat?
To tame a cat, feed it fish, typically raw cod or raw salmon. Repeated feeding increases your chances until hearts appear. Tropical fish can work as alternatives, but success varies.
Feed fish like cod or salmon to tame a cat.
Do cats follow you after being fed?
Yes, feeding increases loyalty; fed cats will follow you and respond to commands.
Yes, fed cats often follow you.
Can cats breed in survival mode?
Two cats can breed by feeding them fish; kittens appear after mating hearts.
Yes, feed two cats fish to breed.
Are there any foods that cats won’t eat?
Most non-fish items do not satisfy hunger for cats; feeding them will not yield hearts or taming.
Non-fish items won’t work.
Does cooked fish heal cats as effectively as raw fish?
Cooked fish can heal, but raw fish is generally used for taming and loyalty; effectiveness varies by version.
Cooked fish heals, but raw fish is preferred for taming.
“Fish are the dependable food source for cats in Minecraft; feeding them strengthens loyalty and supports healing during adventures.”
The Essentials
- Feed cats fish to tame and heal them
- Raw cod and raw salmon are the standard foods
- Taming increases loyalty and following behavior
- Non-fish foods do not satisfy cat hunger
- Breeding cats requires feeding two tamed cats fish
