How to Breed Cats in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Tame two cats and feed each raw cod or raw salmon. At least one parent must be standing; two sitting cats cannot breed. A kitten appears with the coat of one parent, and the parents can breed again after 5 minutes.

What you need

2 tamed cats
2 raw cod or raw salmon, plus extra fish to tame or grow kittens
A safe place to keep the cats close

Step by step

Find two stray cats in villages or near a swamp hut. Tame each with raw cod or raw salmon: hold the fish, let the cat approach, then feed it until hearts and a collar appear.
Put at least one of the tamed cats in standing mode. Two sitting cats cannot breed together.
Feed each cat raw cod or raw salmon. Both enter love mode and produce a kitten when they meet.
The kitten inherits the coat of one parent. Its collar color can be a mix of the parents’ collar colors.
Wait 5 minutes before breeding either parent again. A kitten takes 20 minutes to grow up; raw cod or salmon cuts 10% of its remaining growth time per feeding.

Java vs Bedrock

The same raw cod or raw salmon breeding food, 5-minute cooldown and 20-minute kitten growth apply in Java and Bedrock. Two sitting cats cannot breed, but a standing cat can breed with a sitting one.

Versions: Cats have been separate from ocelots since the Village & Pillage update (1.14). Breeding requires tamed cats rather than trusting ocelots.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my cats not breeding?

Both cats must be tamed and fed raw cod or raw salmon. Two sitting cats cannot breed, so make at least one stand, and wait out the 5-minute cooldown.

Can you breed cats with cooked fish?

No. Use raw cod or raw salmon to breed tamed cats.

What color will the kitten be?

It takes the coat of one parent. Collar colors can mix if the parent colors have a mix result.