How Far Will Cats Follow You in Minecraft? The Ultimate Feline Guide

The digital world of Minecraft is brimming with charming creatures, but few are as endearing and potentially useful as the humble cat. Once tamed, these virtual felines become loyal companions, but just how far will they follow you? The short answer is that tamed cats will generally follow you indefinitely, but if they get more than 12 blocks away from you, they will teleport to your location unless they have been commanded to sit. This teleportation mechanic is crucial for keeping your furry friends nearby, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Let’s dive deep into the intricacies of cat behavior in Minecraft.

Understanding Cat Following Behavior

The Basics of Following

After successfully taming a cat with raw cod or raw salmon, it will essentially become your shadow. Much like a tamed wolf, the cat will attempt to stay within a reasonable distance. They don’t actively attack mobs that threaten you like wolves do, but they do offer a different kind of protection.

The Teleportation Mechanic

The key to understanding how far cats follow you is the teleportation mechanic. If a tamed cat finds itself more than 12 blocks away from the player, it will automatically teleport to their side, provided it’s not sitting. This teleportation system is designed to prevent your cat from getting permanently lost, especially in vast and complex environments like the Nether or the End.

Factors Affecting Following

Several factors can affect how well a cat follows you:

• Obstacles: Cats aren’t always the best at navigating tricky terrain. They can get stuck on blocks, fall into holes, or struggle to cross complex structures.
• Chunk Loading: If a cat is in an unloaded chunk, it essentially freezes in place. This is a common issue when your render distance is set too low. Make sure your render distance is sufficient to keep chunks loaded around your cat.
• Sitting Command: If you tell your cat to sit, it will stay put until you command it to follow again. This is the most reliable way to keep your cat from wandering off.

The Unique Benefits of Having Cats Around

While they might not be the fiercest protectors, cats bring several unique advantages to your Minecraft experience.

Creeper Deterrent

One of the most valuable benefits of having a cat around is their ability to scare away Creepers. For reasons unknown (perhaps some deep-seated feline phobia), Creepers will actively avoid cats, maintaining a safe distance of about 6 blocks. This effectively creates a “Creeper-free zone” around you as long as your cat is nearby.

Phantom Repellent

Similar to Creepers, Phantoms are also afraid of cats. These nocturnal flying creatures can be a major nuisance, but a well-placed cat will keep them at bay, allowing you to sleep peacefully through the night.

The Gift of Sleep

If a cat sleeps on your bed with you at night, there is a 70% chance that it will give you a gift when you wake up. These gifts can range from rabbit’s foot to phantom membrane adding a touch of random treasure to your morning.

Taming and Managing Your Feline Friend

Taming an Ocelot and/or Cat

Ocelots can be found in Jungle Biomes. To tame an ocelot, you must approach it slowly and cautiously, holding raw fish. If the ocelot approaches you, feed it the fish until hearts appear above its head.

Stray cats are found mostly in villages and swamp huts. They can be tamed by feeding them raw fish, such as raw cod or raw salmon.

Preventing Your Cat From Getting Lost

• Command to Sit: The simplest way to prevent a cat from wandering off is to command it to sit. This will keep it in one place until you tell it to follow again.
• Enclosed Spaces: When not actively adventuring, consider keeping your cat in a well-lit, enclosed space within your base. This prevents them from wandering too far and getting into trouble.
• Chunk Awareness: Be mindful of chunk loading, especially during long journeys. If possible, ensure that someone remains near your base to keep the chunks loaded, allowing your cat to teleport if necessary.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Cat Not Teleporting?

If your cat isn’t teleporting to you, consider these possibilities:

• Sitting: Is the cat sitting? If so, command it to follow.
• Chunk Loading: Is the cat in an unloaded chunk? Try increasing your render distance or having someone stay near the cat’s location.
• Obstructions: Is the cat trapped in a confined space or behind an obstacle? Ensure the cat has a clear path to teleport to you.

Cat Still Wandering?

Even tamed cats have a tendency to explore. To minimize wandering:

• Regular Check-Ins: Periodically check on your cat to ensure it’s still nearby.
• Designated Safe Zones: Create designated safe zones within your base where your cat can roam freely without getting into trouble.

Minecraft and Learning

The game of Minecraft offers a unique learning environment. Players learn problem-solving skills, resource management, and even social skills through multiplayer interactions. The Games Learning Society, or GamesLearningSociety.org, studies how games like Minecraft can be used for educational purposes. Check out the website for the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more!

FAQs About Cats in Minecraft

How many blocks can a cat scare a creeper?

Creepers will flee from cats within a 6-block radius.

What mobs are scared of cats in Minecraft?

Creepers and Phantoms are the primary mobs that are scared of cats.

Do cats sleep with you in Minecraft?

Yes, when you sleep at night, a tamed cat can lie on the bed with you. This can result in the cat giving you a gift when you wake up.

Can you lose pets in Minecraft?

Yes, pets can get lost, especially if they wander into unloaded chunks or get stuck in difficult terrain.

Why are creepers scared of cats?

Creepers seem to release Glutamate, the chemical that is the cause of fear, when simply seeing Cats.

Why are my cats not teleporting to me?

Unloaded chunks can cause pets to freeze. Sitting is another reason why your cat might not be teleporting to you.

Do cats wander off in Minecraft?

Yes, even tamed cats will wander a bit, but they will teleport to you if they get more than 12 blocks away, as long as they are not sitting.

Are creepers afraid of cats?

Yes, Creepers are afraid of cats and ocelots.

How many blocks can a cat scare a creeper?

Creepers flee from ocelots and cats within a 6-block radius.

What kills cats in Minecraft?

Cats can be killed by various hazards, including lightning strikes, suffocation, and falling from great heights.

Do cats attract Creepers in Minecraft?

No, cats do not attract Creepers; in fact, they repel them.

What are the benefits of cats in Minecraft?

Cats keep Creepers and Phantoms away, can give you gifts when you sleep, and provide companionship.

Can you tame a witch’s cat in Minecraft?

Yes, you can tame the black cat that spawns in a witch hut with fish, as long as there are no witches around.

What are the 12 cats in Minecraft?

The different cat breeds in Minecraft include: black, British shorthair, calico, Jellie, Persian, ragdoll, red, Siamese, tabby, tuxedo, and white cats.

Is it rare to find an all-black cat?

Yes, while some cats are completely black, it’s actually rare. Most black cats have some other coloring in their whiskers, paw pads, or random patches of fur.