The invention relates to a method for preparing a copper oxide hydrogenation catalyst loaded on a silica gel-mordenite composite carrier. The method is characterized by comprising the following steps of: (1) activating natural mordenite; (2) dropwise adding a silica gel solution for adjusting a pH value to 2-3 into a mixed solution of copper salt, cerium salt and urea, wherein the copper salt, the cerium salt and the silica sol are CuO, CeO2 and SiO2 respectively based on weight, the molar ratio of CuO to SiO2 is 0.1-0.3, the molar ratio of CeO2 to SiO2 is 0.02-0.05, and the mass ratio of the urea to the copper salt is 0.16-0.21; continuously stirring in a water bath of 70-80 DEG C; adding the activated mordenite when a system is in a semi-gel state, wherein the mass ratio of the copper salt to the activated mordenite is 0.7-2; and continuously stirring to complete gelation, stopping stirring, and aging at room temperature to obtain gel; and (3) selecting the gel, washing until the pH value is 6.5-7.5, drying and roasting at the temperature of 450-600 DEG C to obtain the catalyst. The method has the advantages of high specific surface area, uniform distribution of copper oxide grains serving as a catalytic active component, small crystal grains and high activity.