Why did sailors consider the presence of cats on board a ship a lucky sign?

Cats were once considered an essential part of any ship. During World War II, cats even served on naval vessels. Cats are still revered by crew members, and it's rare for a ship to embark without a four-legged companion. Sailors believe that having a cat on board is a sign of good fortune.

Cats helped the crew relieve stress.

Cats were domesticated around 9,000 years ago. This happened in the Middle East. The ancient Egyptians took their pets on voyages down the Nile to catch birds. Through trade, cats became popular in other countries. The tradition of taking four-legged companions on voyages was adopted by the Vikings, Scandinavians, and later other peoples.

"Specialized" cats lived on fishing, merchant, civilian, and even military vessels. These animals were called "ship cats" and were considered full members of the crew.

Sailors took their whiskered companions on voyages as a symbol of domestic tranquility, a reminder of the shore where their families awaited them. Cats have always been renowned for their ability to create a welcoming atmosphere on board and their talent for creating comfort in the harshest conditions.

They were true friends to the sailors, distracting them from the hardships of service, relieving psychological stress and anxiety with their mere presence. Simon the cat, who was the mascot of the patrol ship Amethyst, is well-known. He was seriously wounded, survived, and continued catching mice despite being in very poor health. By his example, he lifted the soldiers' morale.

Cats saved ships from rodents

An important feline duty was catching rodents, which posed a real threat. They could chew through ship rigging and cause significant damage. tookf and wooden planking of the ship.

On modern aircraft, rats are capable of gnawing through Electrical cables, which poses a fire risk. They also destroyed containers containing food supplies and cargo—grain and spices.

Moreover, small pests could bring plague and other diseases to the ship. To eradicate the mouse and rat population, sailors would take a cat, sometimes more than one, on the voyage, often "enrolling" them as crew members.

Polydactyl cats, which have a curious mutation—extra toes—were particularly prized. This was believed to improve balance while swimming and, consequently, to be more effective at catching pests.

For their simple work, the whiskered ones received tasty rations and the love and respect of their team. Particular successes in the fight against rats were especially recognized—some of the furry "mousers" were awarded ranks, given uniforms, and given their own beds.

The weather was predicted by cats' behavior.

Cats are often credited with magical powers. Many superstitions and beliefs are associated with them. The most plausible is their ability to sense the approach of bad weather.

Even domestic cats' behavior can change before a hurricane or heavy rain. They become nervous, agitated, unable to find their place in the house, and pace back and forth.

This is due to changes in atmospheric pressure, which foretell adverse weather conditions. Cats are much more sensitive than humans; their inner ears can detect even the slightest vibrations.

Nowadays, you can find weather forecasts online, but in centuries past, cats were sometimes used as meteorologists. Sailors believed that a thunderstorm was coming if a cat licked its fur the wrong way. A sneezing ship's cat predicted rain. And a frolicking, restless cat predicted stronger winds.

A cat thrown overboard or thrown overboard was a sign of a severe storm, so they were treated with extreme care. There was no question of throwing away a ship's cat that had somehow gotten into trouble. Animals were never abandoned, even on a sinking ship, as this could lead to further misfortune.

Today, cats still travel the seas and diligently perform their simple duties. Many superstitions are associated with cats, and they are considered lucky animals. Therefore, they are taken on board merchant and military ships, pampered and cherished, creating wonderful living conditions for the furry crew members on board.