Installing Critters and Companions takes about ten minutes, and most problems people hit come from one thing: a version mismatch. This guide walks through the Critters and Companions mod download from the official pages, installing the right loader, and confirming everything works.

Before you start

You need three things that all agree with each other:

  • Minecraft: Java Edition, the version you want to play (for example 1.20.1 or 1.21.1).
  • A mod loader, NeoForge or Forge, matching that Minecraft version.
  • The mod file built for that exact Minecraft version and loader.

The official file list shows each file’s supported game versions and loader. Decide on your Minecraft version first, then pick the file, then install the loader it asks for.

Step 1: Download the mod from official sources

Open the project on CurseForge or Modrinth. Go to the Files or Versions tab and filter by your Minecraft version. Download the newest file that matches. You’ll get a single .jar file of a few megabytes.

Avoid reupload sites. If a site gives you an .exe, a zip with an installer, or asks you to complete a survey, it isn’t the real mod. Delete it and use the official links above.

Step 2: Install NeoForge or Forge

  1. Download the installer for the loader version your file needs from neoforged.net or files.minecraftforge.net.
  2. Run the installer and choose Install client.
  3. Open the Minecraft Launcher, select the new loader profile, and click Play once. Close the game when you reach the title screen. This creates the mods folder.

Step 3: Put the file in your mods folder

File explorer window open to the Minecraft mods folder where the Critters and Companions jar file goes
Your mods folder lives inside the .minecraft directory. The mod is a single .jar file that goes straight in.

Open the folder for your operating system and copy the .jar into it:

OSMods folder path
Windows%appdata%\.minecraft\mods
macOS~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods
Linux~/.minecraft/mods

Keep only one version of the mod in the folder. If you’re updating, delete the old file first.

Step 4: Launch and verify

Start the loader profile again. On the title screen, click Mods and look for Critters and Companions in the list. Create a new world, head to a river or forest, and you should start seeing critters. Want a quick look? Open the creative inventory and search for its spawn eggs.

Easier option: third-party launchers

Prism Launcher, the Modrinth App and the CurseForge app can install the loader and the mod for you. Create an instance for your Minecraft version, choose the loader, and search for Critters and Companions in the built-in mod browser. They pull files from the same official sources.

If something goes wrong

A crash right after launch almost always means the mod, loader and Minecraft versions don’t match. Our troubleshooting guide shows how to read the crash report and fix it. Once you’re in, start with our ferret taming guide.

Quick answer

Do I need Forge or NeoForge?

Use whichever loader the official file for your Minecraft version lists. Newer game versions generally use NeoForge.