Supported coprecipitated nickel-cobalt-silica and nickel-cobalt-copper-silica hydrogenation catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts are prepared by preparing an aqueous reaction mixture containing nickel and cobalt cations (and optionally copper cations), silicate anions and solid porous carrier particles under agitation to form a coprecipitate of the nickel, cobalt (and optionally copper) and silicate ions onto said solid porous support particles; heating the aqueous reaction mixture; and adding an alkaline precipitating agent to further precipitate the nickel, cobalt (and optionally copper) and silicate anions onto said solid porous carrier particles.