Critters and Companions Mod

Download it from the official CurseForge or Modrinth project pages, which we link on this page. Both platforms host the author's original files and review uploads. Avoid reupload sites that bundle installers or ask you to disable antivirus software. The mod is a single .jar file; if a download is an .exe, it is not the real mod and you should delete it.

Yes. The mod is completely free to download and play. You only need a legitimate copy of Minecraft: Java Edition and a free mod loader such as NeoForge or Forge. If any website asks you to pay for the mod, complete surveys or unlock it with a code, leave that site and use the official pages instead.

Use the loader listed on the official file for your Minecraft version. Recent builds target NeoForge or Forge depending on the game version. Install the loader version that matches your Minecraft version exactly, launch the game once to create the mods folder, then drop in the mod's .jar file. Mixing loaders, such as a Forge mod on Fabric, will crash on startup.

Install NeoForge or Forge for your Minecraft version, run it once, then press Win+R, type %appdata%\.minecraft and open the mods folder. Copy the Critters and Companions .jar file into it. Start the Minecraft Launcher, choose the loader profile and click Play. The mod appears in the Mods menu on the title screen if it loaded correctly.

Yes. Critters will begin spawning in newly generated chunks and in existing areas as mobs naturally spawn. Always back up your world folder before adding or updating any mod. If you later remove the mod, its critters and any mod items will disappear from your world, so treat tamed companions as tied to the mod being installed.

Find a wild ferret in grassy or forested biomes, hold its preferred food and approach slowly while sneaking. Right-click to feed it repeatedly until heart particles appear. A tamed ferret follows you and can be told to sit or stand by right-clicking. The exact taming food can differ between releases, so check the item tooltip or official page for your version.

Dragonflies spawn near water in warm and temperate biomes, so look along rivers, lakes, swamps and ponds during the day. They are ambient critters that hover and dart around reeds and lily pads. If you are not seeing any, explore new chunks near water, since spawning happens as the world generates and loads around you.

Ferrets are the best-known companion, and several other critters can be befriended or kept as pets depending on the version. Ambient insects like dragonflies and leaf insects are there for atmosphere rather than taming. Our mob guide lists every critter with its behaviour, and we update it after each release to reflect changes.

Yes. For servers, install the same version of the mod on the server and on every player's client. Mismatched versions cause a connection error listing the missing or different mod. Tamed companions are saved with the world like any other tamed mob, so friends see the same pets you do on a shared world.

The mod is safe when you download it from its official CurseForge or Modrinth pages. It is a standard Java mod file that runs inside Minecraft and needs no admin rights, no installer and no personal data. Most malware reports around Minecraft mods come from unofficial reupload sites, so always verify the source and file type.

Showcasing the mod in videos and streams is generally welcome. For modpacks, use the CurseForge or Modrinth modpack tools, which reference the official file instead of reuploading it. Always read the licence and permissions listed on the official project page, since the author sets the terms and they are the final word.

No. crittersandcompanionsmod.com is an independent fan site offering guides, install help and troubleshooting. We are not affiliated with the mod's author, Mojang or Microsoft. We never host modified files: every download button sends you to the official project pages so the author gets credit for each download.

The official Critters and Companions mod is built for Minecraft: Java Edition and does not run on Bedrock, Pocket Edition, consoles or iOS. You may find community-made Bedrock add-ons inspired by it, but they are separate projects with different creators and features. Only install add-ons from sources you trust and read our Bedrock guide first.

Support follows the game's major versions, and each file on the official page lists the exact Minecraft versions it supports. Filter by your game version before downloading. If 1.21.11 is not listed yet, play on the newest supported version or wait for an update, because forcing a mismatched version usually crashes on launch.

Download the new .jar file from the official page, delete the old Critters and Companions file from your mods folder and add the new one. Keep only one version in the folder. Back up your world first and read the changelog, since updates can change spawns, items or taming behaviour. Update your mod loader too if the new file requires it.

Most crashes come from a version mismatch between Minecraft, the mod loader and the mod, a missing dependency, or two copies of the mod in the folder. Open the latest crash report in the crash-reports folder and check the first lines. Our troubleshooting guide walks through each common error and its fix step by step.

Alex's Mobs, Naturalist and Friends & Foes are popular choices. Alex's Mobs adds a huge roster of real-world and fantasy creatures, Naturalist focuses on realistic wildlife, and Friends & Foes brings back mob-vote losers. Many players combine a few of them, so check our comparison table and test compatibility in a copy of your world.