In Minecraft, you can tame a whole range of different animals for your own purposes. They can defend you in combat, fetch items, or serve as mounts. Naturally, some pets are better than others when we look at what they can actually do. Which animals should you seek out? And which ones are better to skip? We’ll break that down today with this tier list. We’re only looking at animals you can tame directly. Foxes, ocelots, or allays don’t fully count here. They may trust you, but they aren’t tameable. The focus is on animals you can truly keep by your side and that give you concrete advantages.
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S-tier: Best tameable animals in Minecraft
Wolves: Strongest companions in Minecraft survival
In the Minecraft universe, wolves are arguably the undisputed number one when it comes to the best pets. They’ve been in the game the longest, since the 2011 beta, and have received several exciting upgrades since. You can tame wild wolves with bones, and afterward they’ll follow you everywhere. They now come in 9 different coat colors, varying by biome. Wolves attack hostile mobs as soon as you’re hit or you attack and the wolves are active. They deal 2 hearts of damage. You can also equip them with armor so they can take more hits.
Horses: Travel fast and explore the map
Horses have also been in the game for a long time. Since 2013 you’ve been able to ride across the world of Minecraft with them. To tame one, ride it several times without a saddle until it shows hearts. Then equip a saddle to control it. It can run and jump, but its stats are randomly generated. Through breeding, however, you can gradually get a very strong horse. Horses can also wear armor, which protects them from damage in combat.
A-tier: Very useful tameable animals in Minecraft
Cats: Creeper and phantom deterrent and item hunters
At first glance, cats are mostly cute. You’ll primarily find them in villages and can tame them with raw fish. They come in 11 different colors. They like to sit on chests and beds and nap often. But they’re also hunters, often active at night, and will bring you items in the morning. Especially handy: cats keep creepers and phantoms away. Place them strategically at your base for passive protection.
Llamas: Mobile storage and caravan transport
Llamas are unique animals with their own mechanics. You tame them like horses by riding them repeatedly. Afterward, you can equip them with a carpet that changes appearance based on its color. You can’t control llamas directly, but you can lead them with a leash. Their big advantage: you can equip them with a chest for extra storage (the number of slots depends on the llama’s strength) and link multiple llamas into a caravan. Llamas can also spit to defend themselves. Both are extremely useful if you’re planning long journeys on foot.
B-tier: Situationally strong mounts and helpers
Mules: Mount with additional storage
Mules are a breeding combination of horses and donkeys. You can equip them with a saddle and a chest for more storage, which makes them more practical than horses in many situations. However, they are a bit slower and can’t be bred further, which is why they land in B-tier. Since you can’t find them in the wild, they’re often overlooked. As an alternative to horses, they’re still very useful.
Camels: Safe travel and gap crossing
Camels are always tame toward players. You can ride them with a saddle, even though they’re relatively slow. They make up for that in other ways. Camels can dash to cross ravines. Thanks to their long legs, zombies and other ground mobs can’t hit you directly. Camels also seat two players, making them particularly practical in multiplayer.
C-tier: Fun animals with limited utility
Donkeys: Simple pack animals as a basic option
Donkeys are weaker than both horses and mules in most respects. You can equip them with a saddle and a chest, but overall they’re slower. If you already have a mule, there’s rarely a reason to also use donkeys. As an early transport solution, however, they get the job done.
Parrots: Entertainment and warning calls
Parrots are colorful and bring life to your base, but they don’t offer direct in-game utility. They can sit on your shoulder and dance to jukebox music. It’s useful that they mimic nearby mob sounds, which can warn you. You tame them with seeds. Important: Never feed parrots cookies—they’re fatal to them.
Conclusion: Choose tameable Minecraft animals wisely
Minecraft’s diverse wildlife comes with equally diverse functions and possibilities. While some animals are a real help on your adventure, others are more like charming companions without much utility. Depending on your playstyle, the ranking can certainly change. We find that wolves and horses are especially useful. Llamas, camels, and mules have situational strengths, while donkeys and parrots are more for enthusiasts.
