Minecraft’s Menagerie: A Guide to Tameable Pets
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’re wondering which critters you can befriend and bring home in the blocky world of Minecraft? The answer is: Cats, Wolves, Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Parrots, and Llamas can be tamed and kept as companions. However, the process for each is unique, and some limitations apply. Let’s delve into the wonderful world of Minecraft pets, and explore the how-tos, the whys, and the hidden quirks of each tameable creature.
Taming the Wilds: A Pet-by-Pet Guide
The Loyal Wolf
Wolves are classic Minecraft companions, easily recognizable and fiercely loyal. Taming them is straightforward: simply feed them bones. You’ll need to find these canine creatures in taiga, old growth pine taiga, old growth spruce taiga, and snowy taiga biomes. Keep feeding them bones until hearts appear above their head, signifying they’re now yours. A tamed wolf will follow you, attack whatever you attack (careful!), and even sit and stay when you need them to. Remember, they can be injured in combat, so keep them safe!
The Feline Familiar
Cats, unlike their wolfish counterparts, come in a variety of charming breeds. You’ll find stray cats in villages. To tame them, you’ll need raw cod or raw salmon. Approach them slowly, equip the fish, and feed them until they display hearts. Keep in mind that cats were associated with witchcraft as they were believed to be supernatural servants to witches. Once tamed, they’ll follow you, occasionally bring you gifts (some more useful than others!), and even scare away Creepers and Phantoms, making them invaluable allies around your base.
The Noble Steed
Horses, Donkeys, and Mules offer a different kind of companionship: mobility. Taming these beasts is less about feeding and more about persistence. Locate them in plains and savanna biomes. Simply approach and attempt to ride them. They’ll buck you off at first, but keep trying. Eventually, they’ll accept you as their rider, signified by hearts appearing. For horses, you’ll need a saddle to control their movements. Donkeys and Mules can also be saddled and, uniquely, equipped with chests for extra storage, making them excellent pack animals.
The Pack-Leading Llama
Llamas are found in the savanna and mountains biomes and are quite the quirky addition to your caravan. Taming them works similarly to horses: keep attempting to ride them until they accept you. Once tamed, you can equip them with carpets for decoration. The real benefit of llamas is their ability to carry chests and form caravans. Attach multiple llamas together with leads to create a train of pack animals. Note that while you can ride llamas, their movement is limited, making them better suited for transport than quick travel.
The Colorful Parrot
Parrots are found in the jungle biome. These avian companions are tamed by feeding them seeds. Once tamed, they will follow you around and can perch on your shoulder. They also mimic the sounds of nearby mobs, which can be helpful for detecting hidden threats. Note that while they can’t be ridden or used for storage, their colorful presence and early warning system make them delightful and practical pets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Minecraft Pets
1. Can I tame a fox in Minecraft?
Yes, but not in the traditional sense. Naturally spawned foxes cannot be fully tamed. However, if you breed two adult foxes by feeding them sweet berries, their baby fox will be tame and loyal to you. This baby fox will follow you and not run away.
2. Can I tame a Skeleton Horse?
Skeleton Horses are unique, undead steeds that can be ridden. In Java Edition, only tamed skeleton horses can be ridden. In Bedrock Edition, all adult skeleton horses can be ridden.
3. Can I tame Axolotls?
While you can’t “tame” Axolotls in the same way as wolves or cats, you can gain their trust. By feeding them tropical fish, they will follow you and even assist you in underwater combat against hostile mobs. They also won’t despawn if you keep them around.
4. Can I tame every cat I find in Minecraft?
Yes, you can tame any stray cat you find, including the special black cats that spawn near witch huts, using raw fish.
5. What is the hardest animal to find in Minecraft?
While opinions vary, pandas are considered among the rarest, due to the infrequency of bamboo jungle biomes and the low spawn rates of pandas within those biomes.
6. Can I tame a Vex?
While an interesting idea, Vexes cannot be tamed through any conventional means in the standard game.
7. Can I tame a Sniffer?
Unfortunately, Sniffers cannot be tamed. They are passive mobs that will never attack you and won’t even look at you unless you are holding food they like.
8. Can I tame bats in Minecraft?
Bats cannot be tamed in Minecraft through conventional methods. While there are mods that allow you to interact with bats in different ways, the vanilla game doesn’t offer taming.
9. What is the most useful pet in Minecraft?
Llamas offer useful utility, as their ability to carry chests and form caravans makes them invaluable for transporting items over long distances.
10. What is the easiest animal to tame in Minecraft?
Horses, Donkeys, and Mules are relatively easy to tame since it only requires persistence. Just keep trying to ride them until they accept you.
11. Can I ride a donkey in Minecraft?
Yes, you can ride a tamed donkey! Simply equip it with a saddle to control its movements, just like with a horse.
12. What is the fastest rideable animal in Minecraft?
Horses are the fastest rideable animals in Minecraft.
13. What turns a villager into a witch?
A villager transforms into a witch when lightning strikes within four blocks of them. The witch does not despawn and cannot be turned back into a villager.
14. What is a witch’s cat for?
In real-world folklore, cats were associated with witches because of their nocturnal habits and the belief that they were supernatural servants. In Minecraft, cats scare away Creepers and Phantoms, making them useful allies around your base.
15. Can I change a tamed animal’s name?
Yes, you can change a tamed animal’s name by using a name tag and an anvil. Rename the name tag, then use it on the animal to give it a custom name.
Minecraft’s array of tameable animals adds a layer of depth and companionship to the game. From loyal wolves and helpful cats to rideable horses and pack-leading llamas, each pet offers unique benefits and charming interactions. Explore the different biomes, experiment with taming methods, and build a thriving menagerie of blocky friends! Learn more about Minecraft and other educational games through organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.