Guide & Meet the Cats

A cat sticker you can place on your clothing or skin—including your face—and spend time with.Sleeping peacefully or wandering at its own pace. A tiny companion for your everyday avatar.The paid edition lets you pet your cat and enjoy a personality shaped by your time together.

For PC VRChat

Get NekoLife on Jinxxy

Which cat will you live with?

Free & paid editions

Try the free edition if you would like to start by placing a cat on your avatar.
Choose the paid edition to enjoy petting, changing personalities, and more.

What you can enjoy	Free edition	Paid edition
Place on clothing or skin, including your face	Choose the location, size, and color	Choose the location, size, and color
Everyday poses	Sitting, loafing, and sleeping	Walking, running, grooming, and many more gestures
Petting & reactions to you	—	Hearts when petted. Reactions to your movement and voice
Personality & growth	—	Personality and gestures develop as you spend time together
Visits from a friend's cat	Relax together as a pair	Walk, sleep, play together, and more
Occasional special actions	—	Little surprises during everyday life and petting

Cats from the free and paid editions can become friends, too.

The free-edition comparison describes the existing Japanese free edition. This English package is the paid edition.

See how the cats moveExplore everyday gestures and personality animations. Spoilers ahead.

Requirements & parameter usage

Supported platform: PC VRChat (VR and desktop modes)
Required for setup: Unity, VRChat SDK, and Modular Avatar
Synchronized parameters: Paid edition: 7 parameters / 42 bits
Free edition: 6 parameters / 27 bits

This parameter usage is added to the usage of other accessories on your avatar.

Place a cat on your avatar

What you need

Your avatar's Unity project for PC VRChat
Modular Avatar
Your downloaded NekoLife files

Setup (free and paid editions)

The free and paid editions use the same placement steps.

Preparation: import into Unity

Open the Unity project for the avatar you want to use.
Extract the downloaded ZIP. Drag the .unitypackage file whose name starts with NekoLife into Unity, then select Import.
In the Project window, open Assets → NekoLifeEN → Prefabs. For the free edition, use Assets → NekoLifeFree → Prefabs.
Drag the cat prefab onto the avatar root in the Hierarchy on the left.

Easy mode: click clothing or skin to place your cat

Choose a relatively flat part of the clothing or body. Deep curves or overlapping accessories may hide or distort part of the cat.

Select the cat you added in the Hierarchy on the left.
In the Inspector on the right, select Easy mode, then Choose placement.
In the Scene view, click the clothing or skin where you want to place the cat.
Adjust its size, position, rotation, and color. The preview automatically fits back to the surface as you make changes.
Upload your avatar using the VRChat SDK. In VRChat's Expressions menu, turn on NekoLife (or NekoLife Free for the free edition) to start life with your cat.

If you chose the wrong spot, select Choose placement again and click the new location. If overlapping clothing makes selection difficult, use Limit selection (overlapping clothes) to choose the clothing or body surface you want.

Example: select the cat in Unity, then click clothing or skin in the Scene view to place it. — An example of where to place the cat in Easy mode. This screenshot shows the Japanese interface; use the English control names in the steps above and below.

Manual mode: choose a follow target and position the cat yourself

Use this mode when clicking clothing is difficult, or when attaching directly to a bone or accessory. Choose what the cat follows, then adjust its position and bend yourself.

Detailed Manual mode instructionsSee how to choose a follow target and adjust placement

In the cat settings, select Manual mode.
Drag a bone or object from the same avatar in the Hierarchy into Follow target. Head is a typical choice for the head, and Chest for the chest. For a moving accessory, choose the bone that actually moves.
Show target in Hierarchy highlights the target you selected.
Move in Scene or Rotate in Scene lets you position the cat. Position (cm) and Rotation (degrees) also accept numeric values.
Horizontal bend (mm) and Vertical bend (mm) bend the sticker. Zero is flat. Changes to size and bend appear immediately; check from the side to adjust the gap between the cat and the body.
Save the scene and upload your avatar.

In Manual mode, the cat follows the selected target, but does not automatically conform to clothing or body deformation. Use Easy mode to fit deforming clothing. Neither mode follows deformation caused by facial or clothing blendshapes.

Life together

Try petting your cat

In the paid edition, placing a hand on the sticker makes your cat respond with hearts. You and your friends can both pet it.

If the cat is on your hand or finger, try petting it with your opposite hand.

Meet a friend's cat

Spend time near another NekoLife user and a friend's cat will come to visit. Cats visit at their own pace; it may take around ten minutes to an hour. Free-edition cats can enjoy this together, and so can free- and paid-edition cats.

In the free edition, the pair relaxes together. In the paid edition, they can walk, sleep, and play together.

A little troubleshootingCheck placement, petting, visitors, and personality

The artwork looks distorted or extends beyond the clothing

Try a smaller cat or a flatter area, such as the center of a piece of clothing.

My cat does not react to petting

Cats have their own moods. A cat that is resting or busy with something else may not react. Wait a little, then try another gentle pet.

Check that interaction is allowed in VRChat's in-game Avatar Interactions settings.

A friend's cat does not visit

Keep both cats visible and spend some relaxed time close together. Visits happen at the cats' own pace and may take around ten minutes to an hour. Also check VRChat's Avatar Interactions settings.

My friend received a visitor, but I did not

Your cats may receive visitors at different times. Keep spending time near each other.

What happens when several cats are nearby?

When several cats are nearby, which one visits is a surprise.

My cat's personality is not changing

Growth usually takes around an hour. It pauses while AFK or while the cat is off, and may take longer depending on avatar update conditions. Growth does not always result in a different personality.

Switching avatars, changing worlds, or closing VRChat resets progress toward the next growth update. Completed growth and personality are saved for that avatar.

Error helpWhat to check when an error appearsHelp with upload and placement errors

If several errors appear, open Unity's Console and check the first red error. The first error may cause the later messages.

Have you exceeded the parameter budget?

VRChat allows a maximum of 256 bits of synchronized custom parameters across the entire avatar.

NekoLife uses the following synchronized parameters.

Paid edition: 7 parameters / 42 bits
Free edition: 6 parameters / 27 bits

Usage from the avatar, clothing, and other accessories is added together. If the SDK reports that the parameter budget is exceeded, check the total and remove unused accessories or synchronized parameters.

Are you using an optimization tool?

Some optimization tools change the mesh or bone data of the clothing or body used as NekoLife's surface, which can cause build errors.

Temporarily disable the optimization tool and check whether the error goes away.

If an optimization tool causes errors only in NekoLife's Easy mode, switching to Manual mode and assigning a bone or object from the same avatar as the Follow target may help.

Manual mode does not need clothing or body surface data. It does not automatically conform to surface deformation, however, and cannot resolve every optimization-related error.

If Easy mode cannot place the cat

Easy mode needs valid bones and skinning weights on the clothing or body.

Some props, accessories, ordinary Mesh Renderers, and clothing with missing bone data cannot be used. Try different clothing, another body surface or location, or use Manual mode.

Check the installation

Also check the following.

NekoLife is a child of the avatar
There is no more than one NekoLife instance on the same avatar
Modular Avatar is installed and Unity has finished importing
You have not manually altered the contents or scripts of NekoLife.prefab
The Manual mode follow target is a bone or object inside the same avatar
The follow target is neither NekoLife itself nor an object with zero scale

If the problem persists

When contacting support, the following information helps us investigate.

The full text of the first red Console error
A screenshot showing the Hierarchy and NekoLife settings
Whether you use the free or paid edition
Your NekoLife version
The name and settings of any optimization tool you use

Take a peek before you buy

Cat animations & personalities

Animated examples show the gestures available in the paid edition. If you would rather discover them yourself, leave this closed until you feel curious.

Spoilers aheadExplore cat animations & personalitiesEveryday gestures, petting, personalities, and time with a friend's cat

Everyday animations

Walking, sleeping, grooming. Even on their own, cats enjoy life at their own pace.

Relaxing

When nothing is happening, your cat takes a relaxed little break.

Standing

Your cat gets up for a moment and takes a look around.

Walking

While awake, your cat strolls around the sticker.

Running

When the mood strikes, your cat trots along.

Sleeping

As your cat relaxes, it drifts into a peaceful sleep.

Grooming

While spending time alone, your cat starts grooming.

Startled

A loud voice can sometimes startle your cat.

Stopping a walk

Pet your cat while it is walking, and it stops.

Slowing to a stop

Pet your cat while it is running, and it slows down and stops.

A sleepy startle

Even while asleep, your cat may react a little to a voice.

Turning around

Your cat turns around while resting or when you change direction.

Stretching and yawning

Your cat stretches out as it takes a break.

Looking up at you

While relaxing, your cat sometimes looks up at you.

Ready to dash

Your cat braces itself before starting to run.

Peeking from the edge

Your cat peeks its face out from the edge of the sticker.

Getting sleepy

Your cat starts to doze before falling asleep.

A big yawn

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Scratching an ear

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Washing its face

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Looking around

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Loafing

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Kneading

While relaxing alone, your cat sometimes starts kneading.

Admiring a paw

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Resting its chin on the floor

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

An arched-back stretch

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Readjusting its seat

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

Tilting its head

A gesture you may see while your cat relaxes on its own.

When you pet your cat

Place a hand on the sticker and your cat responds with expressions and gestures. Try a gentle pet while it is asleep, too.

Enjoying a pet

This is how an awake cat responds when you pet it.

A sleepy ear twitch

Touch your sleeping cat and its ears give a little twitch.

Being petted while asleep

Gently pet your sleeping cat and it responds without waking up.

Waking up

Petting a sleeping cat may wake it up.

In the middle of grooming

Touch your cat while it is grooming and it turns its attention toward you.

Asking for a pet

Your cat waits for a pet, looking as though it wants your attention.

Rolling over when petted

This is how an awake cat responds when you pet it.

Lifting its chin when petted

This is how an awake cat responds when you pet it.

Leaning its head when petted

This is how an awake cat responds when you pet it.

Swaying its tail when petted

This is how an awake cat responds when you pet it.

Personality & growth

As you spend time together, your cat gradually develops its own personality. Your daily activities influence which personalities are more likely. Open a personality that interests you.

Life together shapes personality

Recent activities and time spent together in the past help shape your cat's personality. Frequent little interactions matter, as well as total petting time. Sometimes a different personality appears on a whim. Even similar routines can lead to different growth.

Growth usually takes around an hour. It pauses while AFK or while the cat is off, and may take longer depending on avatar update conditions. Growth does not always result in a different personality.

Switching avatars, changing worlds, or closing VRChat resets progress toward the next growth update. Completed growth and personality are saved for that avatar.

PlayfulMore likely when you often walk, run, and spend time being active.

Always ready to find a game. Your cat pounces and chases its tail.

On its own

Wiggling before a pounce

A gesture a Playful cat shows while spending time on its own.

Pouncing on prey

A gesture a Playful cat shows while spending time on its own.

Chasing its tail

A gesture a Playful cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

A hop to invite a game

A gesture seen with a Playful visiting cat.

Taking turns tapping paws

A gesture seen with a Playful visiting cat.

AffectionateMore likely when you often pet your cat with your own hand.

Loves time spent being petted. Your cat rubs its cheek and shows its belly to ask for affection.

On its own

Rubbing its cheek

A gesture an Affectionate cat shows while spending time on its own.

Kneading

A gesture an Affectionate cat shows while spending time on its own.

Showing its belly

A gesture an Affectionate cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

Staying close

A gesture seen with an Affectionate visiting cat.

Resting its chin on a friend's shoulder

A gesture seen with an Affectionate visiting cat.

ChattyMore likely when you often talk using your microphone.

Chats with mouth and facial movements, making gestures as though replying to you.

On its own

A little meow mouth

A gesture a Chatty cat shows while spending time on its own.

Looking up to answer

A gesture a Chatty cat shows while spending time on its own.

Raising its face to call

A gesture a Chatty cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

Taking turns meowing

A gesture seen with a Chatty visiting cat.

Chatting face to face

A gesture seen with a Chatty visiting cat.

SleepyMore likely when you rest and take it easy without moving around much.

Loves nap time. Your cat flops onto its side and twitches in its dreams.

On its own

Flopping down

A gesture a Sleepy cat shows while spending time on its own.

Twitching in a dream

A gesture a Sleepy cat shows while spending time on its own.

A tail for a blanket

A gesture a Sleepy cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

A contagious yawn

A gesture seen with a Sleepy visiting cat.

A friend for a chin pillow

A gesture seen with a Sleepy visiting cat.

GentleMore likely when you spend plenty of quiet, relaxed time together.

Calm, gentle gestures. Your cat blinks slowly and softly offers a paw.

On its own

A slow blink

A gesture a Gentle cat shows while spending time on its own.

Sitting politely

A gesture a Gentle cat shows while spending time on its own.

Offering a gentle paw

A gesture a Gentle cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

Sharing a slow blink

A gesture seen with a Gentle visiting cat.

Softly reaching out a paw

A gesture seen with a Gentle visiting cat.

CuriousMore likely when you vary your activities, from walks to chatting and petting.

So many things to investigate. Your cat sniffs around and listens carefully.

On its own

Sniffing around

A gesture a Curious cat shows while spending time on its own.

Listening closely

A gesture a Curious cat shows while spending time on its own.

Watching a butterfly

A gesture a Curious cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

Sniffing the same spot

A gesture seen with a Curious visiting cat.

Following a butterfly together

A gesture seen with a Curious visiting cat.

MoodyAn unusual personality that occasionally appears on a whim, regardless of your routine.

One moment your cat turns away, the next it rolls over. You never quite know what gesture will come next.

On its own

Turning away

A gesture a Moody cat shows while spending time on its own.

Flicking a paw

A gesture a Moody cat shows while spending time on its own.

Rolling all the way over

A gesture a Moody cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

Hiding shyly, then peeking

A gesture seen with a Moody visiting cat.

Turning away, then looking back

A gesture seen with a Moody visiting cat.

EasygoingMore likely when there is no strong tendency toward activity or interaction.

Relaxes at its own pace, stretching out a paw while lying down or resting with its back turned.

On its own

A break with its tail wrapped around

A gesture an Easygoing cat shows while spending time on its own.

Reaching out while lying down

A gesture an Easygoing cat shows while spending time on its own.

Relaxing with its back turned

A gesture an Easygoing cat shows while spending time on its own.

When a friend with this personality visits

Taking a break with tails wrapped around

A gesture seen with an Easygoing visiting cat.

Stretching out paws while lying down

A gesture seen with an Easygoing visiting cat.

Time with a friend's cat

Spend time near another NekoLife user and a friend's cat will come to visit. Visits happen at the cats' own pace and may take around ten minutes to an hour. Cats can meet both free- and paid-edition cats. Here are the pair animations available in the paid edition.

Everyday life as a pair