If you’re wondering how to tame ocelots in Minecraft PC, you’ve come to the right guide. Gaining the trust of an ocelot in Minecraft involves a patient approach with the right item in hand. This process is unique compared to other animals in the game, and doing it correctly rewards you with a loyal feline companion. This article will walk you through every step, from finding these shy cats to successfully taming them and understanding their behavior.
How To Tame Ocelots In Minecraft Pc
Taming an ocelot is a specific process that differs from taming wolves or horses. It’s not about repetitive clicking but about patience and proper positioning. The core mechanic revolves around convincing a wild ocelot that you are not a threat. When you succeed, the ocelot transforms into a trusty cat that can offer you some useful benefits during your adventures.
Understanding Ocelots And Their Spawning
Before you can tame an ocelot, you need to find one. Ocelots are shy, neutral mobs that spawn in specific biomes. They will not attack you unless provoked, but they are very skittish and will run away if you move to quickly.
Primary Spawn Biomes For Ocelots
- Jungle Biomes: This is the main and most reliable biome to find ocelots. They spawn on grass blocks at light levels of 7 or above.
- Bamboo Jungles: As a variant of the jungle, bamboo jungles also support ocelot spawning.
- Sparse Jungles: While less common, ocelots can still appear in this biome variant.
It’s important to note that ocelots do not spawn in any other biome naturally. If you’re not near a jungle, you may have to travel a significant distance or use creative mode to obtain one. Their spawn rates can also feel low, so be prepared to explore a large jungle area.
Essential Items For Taming An Ocelot
Your success hinges entirely on having the correct item. You cannot tame an ocelot with your bare hands or with just any food.
- Raw Cod or Raw Salmon: These are the primary and most effective items for taming. You can obtain them by fishing in any body of water.
- Tropical Fish: This is another acceptable item. You can catch tropical fish by fishing in jungle biome water sources.
You do not need a stack of fish. Usually, having 5-10 pieces is sufficient, as the taming process can take several attempts. Make sure the fish is raw; cooked fish will not work for taming purposes. Keep the fish in your hotbar for easy access.
Step-By-Step Taming Process
Follow these steps carefully to increase your chances of taming an ocelot on your first try.
- Locate an Ocelot: Find an ocelot in a jungle biome. Move slowly as you approach.
- Hold the Fish: Select the raw cod or raw salmon in your hotbar so you are holding it in your hand.
- Approach Slowly: Do not sprint or move directly at the ocelot. Crouch (hold Shift) and move toward it very slowly. If you move to fast, it will run.
- Wait for Interest: Stand still within about 10 blocks of the ocelot while holding the fish. The ocelot will slowly turn its head and walk toward you. This may take a moment.
- Let It Come to You: Remain perfectly still. Do not click. Allow the ocelot to walk right up to you.
- Feed the Fish: Once the ocelot is close and showing clear interest, right-click on it with the fish. You will see heart particles appear.
- Repeat if Necessary: Sometimes, a single fish is not enough. If the ocelot is still untamed after the first fish, continue holding the fish and let it approach again for another right-click. Repeat until it tames.
Upon successful taming, the ocelot will change its skin to one of three domestic cat variants: a tuxedo, a tabby, or a siamese cat. It will also no longer despawn and will follow you around, though it can be told to sit to stay in one place.
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Many players struggle with taming because of a few common errors. Being aware of these will save you time and frustration.
- Chasing the Ocelot: This is the biggest mistake. Never run after an ocelot. You must be patient and let it come to you. If it runs, stop moving and wait.
- Using the Wrong Food: Cooked fish, chicken, beef, or any other item will not work. Only raw cod, raw salmon, or tropical fish are effective.
- Moving Too Quickly: Even walking normally can be to fast. Use the crouch (sneak) function to approach at the slowest possible speed.
- Not Holding the Fish: You must have the fish selected in your hand for the ocelot to recognize your intent.
- Clicking Too Early: Do not spam right-click. Wait until the ocelot is very close and clearly oriented toward you before feeding it.
Behavior And Benefits Of Tamed Cats
Once tamed, your new cat has specific behaviors and provides unique advantages that can be very helpful in survival mode.
Key Benefits Of Having A Cat
- Creeper Deterrent: This is the most famous benefit. Creepers will actively avoid getting close to your cat, providing you with a mobile safety zone against unexpected explosions.
- Phantom Deterrent: If you have not slept for several days, phantoms will spawn and attack. Cats will scare away phantoms that come near, helping you avoid these flying mobs.
- Companionship: Tamed cats will follow you unless you right-click them to make them sit. A sitting cat will stay in that location until you right-click it again.
- Gift Giving: Occasionally, a cat that is awake in the morning has a chance to bring you a “gift,” such as a phantom membrane, rabbit hide, raw chicken, or a feather.
Managing Your Cat’s Behavior
Cats can be somewhat independent. They may wander short distances and can teleport to you if they fall behind or get stuck. To make a cat sit and stay in a specific spot, simply right-click on it (without holding any item). Right-click again to make it stand and follow you. Be careful not to fall to far, as cats can take fall damage.
Breeding Cats For Kittens
After taming two cats, you can breed them to create kittens. This is a great way to expand your feline family or obtain cats of different colors.
- Obtain Two Tamed Cats: You need two adult cats that have been tamed.
- Feed Them Fish: Right-click on each cat while holding raw cod or raw salmon. Hearts will appear above their heads.
- Wait for the Kitten: The cats will move close together, and after a moment, a kitten will spawn. The kitten will have a color variant based on its parents.
- Raising the Kitten: The kitten will be untamed but will trust you because its parents are tamed. It will grow into an adult cat after about 20 minutes (one Minecraft day). You can speed this up by feeding it more fish.
Troubleshooting And Advanced Tips
If you’re still having trouble, here are some advanced strategies and solutions for common problems.
If Ocelots Won’t Spawn
Ensure you are in the correct biome (jungle). Make sure the area is not too brightly lit from artificial light, as ocelots require a light level of 7 or above but can be outshone by other mob spawns. Try exploring different parts of the jungle, as spawns can be patchy.
Creating A Secure Taming Area
If you’re struggling with ocelots running away, consider building a simple enclosure. Use fences or walls in a small area within the jungle. Lure an ocelot inside with fish (by holding it and walking backward), then close the entrance. This gives you a controlled space to perform the taming steps without the ocelot escaping.
Transporting Cats Long Distances
Cats will teleport to you if they are more than 12 blocks away. For very long distances, such as moving from a jungle to your base far away, it’s easiest to put your cat in “sit” mode inside a boat or minecart. You can then transport it reliably without it teleporting unexpectedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Tame An Ocelot In Minecraft Without Fish?
No, you cannot. Raw cod, raw salmon, or tropical fish are the only items that can be used to tame an ocelot. There is no alternative in the game.
What Is The Difference Between An Ocelot And A Cat In Minecraft?
An ocelot is the wild, untamed mob that spawns in jungles. A “cat” is the tamed version of an ocelot. Once tamed, the ocelot changes its appearance to a domestic cat and gains new behaviors, like scaring creepers.
How Do You Stop A Tamed Cat From Teleporting To You?
To keep a cat in one place, you must right-click on it to make it sit. A sitting cat will not teleport or follow you. This is ideal for keeping a cat at your base.
Why Does My Ocelot Keep Running Away In Minecraft?
Ocelots are programmed to flee from players who move to quickly. You are likely moving toward it while walking or sprinting. You must crouch (sneak) and move extremely slowly, or simply stand still with fish in hand, to gain its trust.
Can You Tame A Stray Cat In Minecraft?
In Minecraft, “stray cats” are actually untamed cats that spawn in villages. They are not ocelots, but they are tamed using the exact same method: raw fish. The process of holding the fish and letting them approach is identical.
Mastering how to tame ocelots in Minecraft PC adds a wonderful layer to the game. It provides security from creepers, company for your builds, and the satisfaction of befriending one of Minecraft’s more elusive creatures. With patience, the right fish, and a steady hand, you’ll have a loyal cat companion in no time. Remember, the key is to let the ocelot choose to trust you.