Foxes are one of the cutest mobs in Minecraft, but taming one is trickier than a cat or a dog, because you cannot tame a wild fox directly. This guide covers where to find foxes, the real way to get one that trusts you, and how to bring it home.
Everything here is confirmed in the current 2026 version of Minecraft (26.2).
Quick answer: you cannot tame an adult fox. Instead, find two foxes in a taiga biome, breed them with sweet berries (or glow berries), and the baby fox will trust you. Separate the baby from its parents with a lead, since it follows the adults, and lead it back to your base.
Fox Taming at a Glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Where to find | Taiga, snowy taiga, and old-growth taiga biomes |
| Can you tame an adult? | No, only bred babies trust you |
| Breed with | Sweet berries or glow berries |
| Get it home | Lead (babies follow parents, so leash and separate) |
| Speed baby growth | Feed sweet berries |
| Keep it | Name tag (bred foxes will not despawn) |
Step 1: Find Two Foxes
Foxes only spawn in the taiga family of biomes: regular taiga, snowy taiga, and old-growth taiga. They spawn in groups of up to four, so if you spot one, more are usually close by. They are nocturnal, so they roam at night and sleep during the day, and their bright orange coats stand out against the dark trees (snowy-taiga foxes are white).
Foxes are scared of players, so sneak (hold crouch) as you approach or they will bolt instantly. You need two foxes to breed, so find a pair.
Step 2: Breed Them to Get a Trusting Baby
This is the key: a wild fox will never trust you, but its baby will. To breed:
- Gather sweet berries (they grow on bushes all over the taiga) or glow berries.
- Get the two foxes close together. The easiest way is to fence them in or trap them, since they run when you stand up.
- While sneaking, feed each fox a sweet berry. They breed and a baby fox is born that trusts the player.
You can speed the baby’s growth by feeding it more sweet berries, each one shortens the time left until it becomes an adult.
Step 3: Separate the Baby and Bring It Home
Here is the catch that trips people up: the baby follows its parents, not you, and it will still run if you stand up near the adults. So you have to get it away from them:
- Put a lead on the baby fox and walk it away from its parents (you can leash even untrusting foxes this way).
- Alternatively, remove the parent foxes, and the trusting baby stays behind.
Once separated, the baby is your fox. Because it was bred, it will not despawn, but be aware it does not follow you on its own and does not teleport to you like a dog or cat. To move it around, keep it on a lead or push it into a boat and sail it home. A name tag keeps it safe and identifiable.
What Tamed Foxes Can Do
A trusting fox is more than decoration. Foxes pick up and hold items, and they will use held weapons to hunt, including any enchantments on the item, so a fox holding an enchanted sword fights with those effects. If you hand a fox food, it drops whatever it is holding to eat it. Foxes also naturally hunt chickens, rabbits, and fish, which makes them a fun (if chaotic) companion. If you would rather have a pet that actually follows you, our how to tame a cat and how to tame a horse guides cover easier companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
You cannot tame a wild fox directly. Breed two foxes with sweet berries in a taiga biome, and the baby fox will trust you. Then lead the baby away from its parents to keep it.
Sweet berries or glow berries. Feed one to each of two foxes while sneaking, and they will breed into a baby that trusts the player.
In taiga, snowy taiga, and old-growth taiga biomes. They spawn in groups of up to four and are active at night.
Because it follows its parent foxes, and the adults flee from you. Put a lead on the baby and separate it from the adults so it stays with you.
No. Even a trusting fox will not follow you on its own or teleport to you. You need a lead or a boat to move it around.
Bred foxes do not despawn, and you can put a name tag on one to be certain it stays permanently.
Taming a fox is really about breeding one: find two in the taiga, feed them sweet berries, and lead the trusting baby home. It takes a few more steps than a cat, but you end up with one of the most charming pets in the game.
