Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

National Meow Like a Pirate Day 2026: When & How to Celebrate

Share

cat wearing pirate costume

Shiver me, timbers! There is actually a day called National Meow Like a Pirate Day. Although its name may spark some confusion, it’s a great day for fun and bonding between you and your feline friend.

September 19th is the day for cat lovers to bring out their inner Blackbeard and honor their cat’s role in history. We have you covered with all the information you need on National Meow Like a Pirate Day, so you don’t have to walk the plank for your lack of knowledge of this fun and frivolous holiday.

divider 3 paws

What and When Is National Meow Like a Pirate Day?

There seems to be a holiday for almost anything, but we love one that honors our feline companions. Meow Like a Pirate Day was established in 2015 to honor cats traveling with their pirate comrades and is observed concurrently with Talk Like a Pirate Day. Although cats were taken aboard to assist in warding off the rats, they were also signs of luck. It was believed that cats might fend off the nefarious spirits of the lost pirates at sea.

To honor their cherished furry companions, two cat-loving pirate aficionados established this amusing holiday in 2002. Since then, cat owners and pirate enthusiasts worldwide have gotten together to commemorate the relationship between cats and their humans.

National Meow Like a Pirate Day is one of the most bizarre holidays, but if you’re always looking for an excuse to host a party or dress up your cat, this could be the best one yet. On September 19th, you can celebrate National Meow Like a Pirate Day with your feline friend.

Funny cat in a puppet costume of a pirate on the pier
Image Credit: Daykiney, Shutterstock

Why National Meow Like a Pirate Day Is So Great

Pirates have been part of movies, TV shows, and party themes for years. While cats are one of the most popular and loved pets and are often the subject of the most hilarious and top trending videos on the internet, when you combine these two, you have a day perfect for a fun, fantastic, meme-worthy party. Additionally, you can get your cat involved in the festivities; after all, who doesn’t love a great costume for their cat?

National Meow Like a Pirate Day also pays homage to the history of cats. Cats were valuable to pirates as they could effectively reduce the rodent population aboard the ships, saving their food supplies and protecting them from diseases. Cats, as you can imagine, were also great companions during long and tedious journeys, and even cats today continue to sail on ships.

More importantly, it shines a light on the joy a pet cat can bring to your life and encourages more people to adopt! Any holiday honoring pets is an excellent opportunity to spread awareness for animal concerns, especially homeless animals.

How to Celebrate National Meow Like a Pirate Day

There are many ways you can celebrate National Meow Like a Pirate Day! Whether you want to go big or make a small contribution, there is a way for you to get involved.

cat wearing a pirate costume
Image Credit: Benevolente82, Shutterstock

Play Dress Up

This is the most obvious and fun way to celebrate this not-so-serious holiday. You can DIY or shop around for a Jack Sparrow look-alike costume for you and your cat. You can have fun dressing up in eye patches, hook hands, and Jolly Roger pirate hats.

Then, you can take pictures and videos and share them across your social media for everybody to see. Don’t stop there! Consider throwing a party where your friends and their cats can join too.

Learn the Lingo

While pirates don’t meow like cats, they do have a fascinating lingo. Key phrases include “ahoy” and “shiver me timbers,” along with words such as “maties” and “yo ho ho!” Most pirates are not particularly eloquent due to the rum they consume at sea, so a few slurs can help give you a convincing pirate accent.

Support Your Local Shelter

Consider volunteering at your shelter the day or afternoon, even while sporting your best pirate costume. If you don’t have the extra time available, you could also contribute by donating money or items the shelter may need, such as food, blankets, and toys.

Adopt a Cat

Consider adopting a cat on National Meow Like a Pirate Day! Providing a home to a cat in need may be the best hidden treasure.

cat at an animal shelter
Image Credit: JW Design, Shutterstock

Understanding Your Cat’s Meow

While we are on the subject of pirate lingo and meowing like a pirate, we thought we would talk more about your cat’s language. Over time, you might become so familiar with your cat’s behavior and routine that you can pick up on minor mood swings.

When you recognize your cat’s extensive repertoire of chirps and meows, you know when they are hungry, need affection, and are in danger or experiencing discomfort. Meowing is mainly used only by mothers and their kittens to communicate, but similar outcomes are achieved when cats meow at people.

A cat’s meow can range in pitch, length, and volume. It shows they want to be fed, petted, or let outside, and sometimes it can be an indication of pain or discomfort.

  • A Short Meow: A short meow is usually their way of greeting, like a short “hello.”
  • Multiple Meows: More than one meow may show excitement when seeing you. Whether it’s because they are hungry or longing for cuddles.
  • A Long, Drawn-out Meow: This may be more of a command, such as wanting you to open the window or the door.
  • High-Pitched Meow: The high-pitched meow may indicate pain but nothing serious, such as stepping on their tail. If the meowing is continuous, especially when handled, it could show that your cat is in more severe pain that needs attention.
  • Low Pitch Long Meow: You may hear this one when another strange cat is nearby. It is usually accompanied by hissing and is not a friendly pitch.
abyssinian-cat-meowing-at-the-sofa
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

divider 3 paws

Final Thoughts

Yo ho ho! September 19th is the time to celebrate National Meow Like a Pirate Day!

This holiday stands out from others since it is lighter and more playful. It gives people of all ages the chance to have fun, loosen up, and unleash their inner swashbucklers while honoring their feline friends and their role in history.

National Meow Like a Pirate Day will provide happiness, humor, and awareness to everyone participating, whether they use pirate slang in conversation, dress in full pirate attire, or give a kitty a new forever home.


Featured Image Credit: danilobiancalana, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Ask Dr. Paola – Help! My Momma Cat Is Very Thin! (May 18, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

The Cat Biting Mistakes Most Owners Make (And What Works Instead)

Cat bites sent more than 400,000 people to emergency rooms in the US each year.1 Not scratches. Bites. And the reason they’re so...

Do Cats Cause Schizophrenia? Scientists Find a Link – Here’s What It Means

Being a fierce advocate (and occasional recipient of) mental health support and awareness, the term ‘crazy’ is not one I like to fling...

One in 100 Cats Gets Diabetes – Here’s How to Catch It Early

One in every 100 cats develops diabetes.1 That’s not a rare, unlucky condition reserved for cats with obvious health problems. It’s common enough...

More related

Do Flea Collars Work on Cats? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

As much as we love our cats, dealing with fleas can be a huge pain. Flea collars are one method of flea prevention...

Cat Fostering: 8 Vet-Approved Reasons You Should Consider It

If you’ve ever watched a sad fundraising commercial for the Humane Society or scrolled slowly through a mournful page of adoptable cats, you...

Dr. Lauren’s Approved Guide: Why Insurance is a Necessity for Most Felines

Have you ever found yourself with a case of indigestion after eating, say, a foot of Christmas tinsel? Or how about being unable...

How Many Times Do Cats Go Into Heat? Vet-Approved Explanation (With Infographic)

Cats are seasonally polyestrous animals, which means they have multiple estrous cycles throughout the year when days are long (during spring and summer)....

Keep reading

How Did My Indoor Cat Get Fleas? 7 Possible Reasons (Vet Verified)

You might think that your indoor cat would be safe from a flea infestation, but sadly, that’s not always the case. The bad news is that even indoor cats can get fleas. While indoor cats are admittedly at lower risk...

cat scratching ear

Feliway Pheromone Spray Review of 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Feliway Pheromone Spray – A Quick Look Calms Cats During Travel The main thing that the classic Feliway Pheromone Spray does well is calm cats during travel. Most cats do not do well in the car, and this...

Feliway Pheremone Spray Review

Can You Use Human Shampoo on Cats? Vet-Reviewed Risks & Alternatives

While most cats rarely need a bath, there could be the odd occasion that your cat does need to get clean. Maybe your cat came home after rolling around on the neighbor’s driveway that happened to be coated in oil....

Orange-Maine-coon-in-the-bathtub-shampoo

Is Catnip Good for Cats’ Digestion? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Catnip is an herb related to mint that originated in Asia and Europe. It has green or gray-green leaves, light green stems, and tiny lavender flowers. It’s technically called Nepeta cataria and has long been used in cooking and for...

cat with green eyes in catnip

Can Cats Eat Raisins? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Having a cat in your home is a never-ending adventure. One minute a kitty can be the friendliest creature in the world. The next? Well, any cat lover knows every kitty out there exhibits some degree of cattitude at some...

Can Cats Eat Raisins

Ways to Discipline Your Cat: 5 Proven & Effective Methods (Vet-Verified)

Cats can be creative regarding the activities they enjoy, and their human companions don’t appreciate some of them. Cats sometimes scratch furniture to the point of destruction, jump on counters, and launch sneak attacks, which can lead pet parents to...

young man and brown tabby cat smell or looking each other

Can Loud Music Harm a Cat? Vet-Reviewed Info

Ears, unfortunately, don’t have the handy ability to shut. If you enjoy listening to loud music, you’re forcing your cats to endure it, too. If you share your house with a cat, you might already be aware that loud noises...

cat lying between speakers

Can Cats Eat Stink Bugs? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Let’s be honest—sometimes, cats are just plain weird in their tastes. Though most cats won’t eat a bug twice after realizing how foul they taste, for some, the fascination never wavers. So can cats eat stunk bugs? Are stink bugs...

Can Cats Eat Stink Bugs

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.