How to Feed a Cat in Minecraft Mobile: The Only Food That Works

To feed a cat in Minecraft Mobile, hold raw cod or raw salmon in your hand and slowly approach a stray cat until an interaction prompt appears, then tap the button to feed it. This is the only verified method for how to feed a cat in Minecraft mobile, as the official game documentation confirms these two fish types and the slow-approach behavior but does not list any other food items or mobile-specific control paths.

How to feed a cat in Minecraft mobile: what you need

Only raw cod and raw salmon will tame a stray cat in Minecraft Mobile. These are the sole verified food items for this purpose. You can obtain them by fishing in any body of water using a fishing rod. Cooked fish, raw chicken, or any other food will not work. Fishing is a reliable way to gather a supply, though there is no documented limit on how many fish you need or a cooldown between feedings.

Step-by-step: taming a stray cat with food

Locate a stray cat in your Minecraft world, these usually appear in villages or near player-built structures.
Hold raw cod or raw salmon in your hand by selecting it from your hotbar. You can craft fish into raw fish using a crafting table and four raw fish in a 2x2 grid.
Slowly approach the cat. Do not run or make sudden movements, as the cat may flee.
When you are close enough, a highlighted interaction button will appear on your screen. Tap it to feed the cat. Cats can be fed by right-clicking on them with a food item (the mobile equivalent is tapping).
Continue feeding until hearts appear above the cat, indicating it has been tamed. The tamed cat will then follow you.

The process is the same on iPhone and Android devices, with no documented differences between platforms. For more detailed control guidance, mobile app guides often include community-tested tips for these interactions.

Why tame a cat? Benefits of your new pet

A tamed cat offers several in-game advantages. It will scare away creepers, preventing them from approaching you and reducing the risk of surprise explosions. It also frightens phantoms, making nighttime exploration safer. A well-fed cat will defend you against certain hostile mobs, such as creepers and phantoms. The cat stays close to you, providing companionship and a visual indicator that you are in a safe area. Unlike some other pets, a tamed cat does not require regular feeding to remain loyal, once tamed, it stays tamed. Feeding two tamed animals of the same species with their preferred food will result in them breeding. Horses prefer golden apples or golden carrots, while pigs enjoy eating carrots.

Common mistakes to avoid when feeding cats

Using incorrect food items: Only raw cod and raw salmon work. Do not use raw chicken, cooked fish, suspicious stew, or any other food, these will not tame or feed the cat. You can cook raw fish or raw chicken in a furnace or smoker to provide a more nutritious meal. Suspicious stew can be crafted using a bowl and different flowers, each giving a different effect.
Running at the cat: Stray cats are skittish. If you move too quickly, they will run away and you will need to start the approach again.
Expecting a built-in feeding station: Minecraft Mobile does not have an official “feeding station” feature for cats. Any feeding station you build is purely decorative and not required for taming or feeding. To construct one: place a chest, dispenser, connect with redstone mechanism using redstone dust and a redstone torch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you feed a cat cooked fish in Minecraft Mobile?

No. Only raw cod and raw salmon are accepted by stray cats. Cooked fish will not tame or feed them.

How do you feed a cat after it is tamed?

Once tamed, a cat does not need to be fed again to remain loyal. Feeding it raw cod or salmon will restore its health if it has taken damage, but it is not required for daily care.