Cats are a surprisingly big part of Harry Potter. From Crookshanks and Mrs. Norris to Professor McGonagall, feisty felines are some of the most endearing characters in the series. Much the same can be said for Hogwarts Legacy. It wouldn’t be a proper Harry Potter story if cats didn’t play a part. Thankfully, they do. As you explore Hogwarts in this magical RPG, you’ll find a number of stray cats wandering around. Take a break from your classwork and wizardly adventures and you can even pet the cats you find. But does petting cats do anything in Hogwarts Legacy?
What Happens if You Pet the Cats in Hogwarts Legacy?
For those wondering if petting the cats in Hogwarts Legacy does anything, the short answer is no. At least, doing so isn’t tied to any unique mechanics. Although some other games reward the character with buffs to Mood, Happiness, or similar stats when they pet a cat, Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t include such stats, even for its best characters. The unfortunate truth is that there’s no direct benefit to your character for petting cats in this game. It’s also worth noting that the plot doesn’t change as a result of petting cats, even if you pet them all.
If there are no in-game benefits to petting cats, why does Hogwarts Legacy let you do it? In short, immersion and because it’s cute. Cats like Crookshanks play major roles in the emotional and social lives of students at Hogwarts, giving Hermione and other hard-working witches and wizards an emotional outlet. Cats are as integral a part of the Wizarding World as talking portraits and living chess pieces are. Although petting cats doesn’t do anything in Hogwarts Legacy, it’s a feature that brings the game that much closer to the books.
Is There an Achievement Related to the Cats?
Many players suspected that there would be an achievement tied to petting all the cats, but there isn’t. It would’ve made sense and given these precious kitties a reason for existing other than being cute and furthering the story’s immersion. Unfortunately, the developers went in a different direction. If you’re a completionist, that’s good news. It means you don’t have to worry about tracking down every last cat in the game. Instead, you can just enjoy their presence whenever you wander across them. Maybe you can even pause to give them a quick scratch behind the ears.
Hogwarts Legacy is available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
