It’s a great year to be a Star Wars fan. We’re swimming in new stories set a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away with The Rise of Skywalker coming out this winter, The Mandalorian TV show launching with Disney’s streaming network, and Galaxy’s Edge opening at Disney World this summer. At this point, we can be forgiven for seeing our favorite characters wherever we look – even in cat pictures we happen to scroll through when browsing the internet.
Check out these cats that remind us of our Star Wars faves.
Chewbacca, Chocolate Persian
When you’re looking for wee Wookiees to invite into your heart and home, look no farther than the Chocolate Persian. Like Chewbacca, this breed is rooted in a long life of mysterious origins. A flattened face on a rounded head makes this cat a natural fit with the denizens of Kashyyyk, while their long, chocolate fur could easily blend with the Wookiee home world’s forests and protect them against the canopy’s chill. These kitties have an undemanding personality but, when it comes to feather toys, we understand it’s best to let the Persian win.
Han Solo, Tuxedo Cat
Just like Han Solo, tuxedo cats come with enough charisma to reel anyone in – and no matter how many times you call them a scruffy nerf herder, they’ll just charm you back with their rakish coloration. Of course, tuxedo cats aren’t actually a breed, which fits our comparison just fine: scoundrels are taught, not bred. When you need a little joy smuggled into your life, invite a tuxedo cat in the door – just don’t be surprised if he pounces first!
Yoda, Elf Cat
Do you know what Yoda’s people are called? I didn’t think so, because no one knows – he comes from a mysterious people, and you’ll find less than a dozen like him throughout the Star Wars canon. Elf cats, rare due to the newness of their breed, bring that Yoda inscrutableness to Earth. With their soft down, bared wrinkles, and large ears, you could believe they might just blink at you and say, “Purr, or purr not. There is no try.”
Luke and Leia, Twin White Cats
They broke the mold when it comes to the Skywalker twins, and twin cats Iriss and Abyss match that Skywalker synergy – right down to their playfulness, delight in cuddling, and a defining feature that sets them apart. When we heard that Iriss is more easy-going while her sibling has to be more in control, we knew we had a match to the irreverent farm boy-turned-Jedi and Princess-turned-General. They’re both a little short to be storm troopers, but that’s okay – they were rescued long ago, and didn’t even have to hide out on Cloud City or Dagobah on the run.
Rey, Calico Cat
If you’ve ever met a calico cat, you know they can be the sweetest kitties around – and also have bold attitudes and independent streaks a mile wide. Calicos aren’t a breed, but rather cats featuring coats with unique patterns in multiple colors (often orange, black, and white). You’ll never find two that look exactly like. These are all things you might say of Rey, irrepressible and kindhearted, seeking companionship and never allowing herself to be dominated – and, while she leans toward the Light Side, her connection with the Force is just as colorful as any calico’s coat.
Kylo Ren, Oriental Shorthair
No matter if you think of Kylo Ren as a villain, the goofiness of his appearance cannot be denied. This grandson of Darth Vader has little charm and less patience, which couldn’t be farther from the curious and loving nature of the Oriental Shorthair – but the differences end there. Both feature long faces, bigger ears, a distinctive voice, and a tendency not to shut up once you have their interest. Throw in extreme attachment to their favorite person, and we can see an Oriental Shorthair in a black robe dragging around a half-melted Vader mask even now.
Darth Vader, Black Cat
There’s only one Darth Vader, and so there’s only one Darth Vader cat; if looks could kill, we suspect his Master would be toast (even though they definitely have the high ground). This black cat has that Sith Lord swagger, from his Death Star bling to the irritated curl of his tail, a cloak swept just so to hide his claws. When this cat finds your lack of pets disturbing, you’d best not disappoint. And when he says you don’t know the power of the red dot, you’d better just believe him.
Emperor Palpatine, Sphynx
Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the sphynx cat: once you meet one of these grumpy-looking kitties, you’ll discover they have a fully-armed and operational battle station pointed directly at your heart. You want to cuddle them, don’t you? We can’t blame you – these precious pieces of the Dark Side put us in mind of an Emperor Palpatine ready to purr his Dark Side delight at you and knead you ever so softly with his claws. It is your destiny.
We hope you enjoyed our picks – and, if you have your own Lando Catrissian or Obi-Wan Kitnobi at home, share pics with us on Facebook or tag us on Instagram. And May the Fourth be with you!
