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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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