If you’ve never visited a cat cafe but you’re curious (as a cat) about these popular installations, we’ve got some tips for planning your visit!
A while back I had the opportunity to visit the Eat Purr Love Cat Cafe in Columbus, Ohio. You’re probably familiar with this cat cafe from our Cat Cafe Directory, one of the many cat cafes across the country that have opened their doors in the past year. The photos below were all taken at this stylish cat cafe.
What’s a cat cafe?
The term “cat cafe” first entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015–but the first cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998. They quickly spread to Japan, where they remain very popular, and then around the world.
What do you do at a cat cafe?
The object at cat cafes is–you guessed it–to enjoy the company of cats! Cats reside at cat cafes; some feature adoptable cats and some have permanent residents. The atmosphere at most cat cafes is similar to a coffee cafe culture.
But there’s more to cat cafes, as you’ll see in the tips below!
7 Tips for Visiting Your First Cat Cafe
Learn if the Cafe Serves Food and Drink
Eat Purr Love sells vegan baked goods, coffee and soft drinks in its front area.
Other cat cafes offer food trucks out front. Don’t assume that you’ll be sipping your coffee while petting the cats; these are sometimes separate areas in the cafes.
Determine if You Need Reservations
Our group had an hour at the cafe; we all entered through the double screen door entry to keep the population safely housed in their area and to prevent too many people from crowding into the cat area at once.
Call your potential cat cafe before a visit to see if reservations are necessary.
Consider a Cat Cafe for Adoption Opportunities
The majority of cat cafes house adoptable cats–although a few feature rescued cats who now call the cafe their forever home. Eat Purr Love Cat Cafe had 10 adoptables during my visit.
They’ll join the 200 cats the cafe has adopted out since it opened in late 2016! Adoptable cats are from The Capital Area Humane Society.
In a cat cafe you’ll be able to see which cats enjoy lounging about and which cats are ready to romp, something often more difficult to see in a shelter setting.
If you’re at all hesitant about visiting an animal shelter or feel that you might be overwhelmed on a shelter visit, a cat cafe can be a great alternative way to find a forever family member.
Learn More about Cat Temperaments
Just as some of us want to meet everyone at a party, others of us prefer to hang back and meet new people gradually. It’s the same with cats.
Eat Purr Love cats each wore a collar with a color coded tag to indicate whether the cat liked to be picked up, was still settling in and shouldn’t be picked up just yet, or was really a hands-off kind of kitty.
If you or someone you know is new to kitty behavior, a visit to a cat cafe can be a great way to learn more about cat body language–and the type of cat who would do best in your home.
Did you gravitate more toward the laid back cats or could you just not get enough of the non-stop play of a more energetic kitty?
A cat cafe can be a wonderful way to see what type of cat would be a good fit for you.
Get Inspired by Cat-Friendly Decor
I was amazed by all the creative and engaging enrichment activities Eat Purr Love offered their cat population.
Not only was this Toy Central in terms of every track ball, cat tower, wand toy, and ball or plush toy, but this cafe also was home to inventive installations that offered the cats places to relax in privacy, enjoy a window view, peer down on visitors from elevated walkways, exercise on a wheel, chill out in a cat hammock, or dream of fishing with a view of the lighted aquarium, complete with goldfish.
Enjoy the Relaxation
Sit and watch the cats, pet the cats, photograph the cats–and even enjoy the Wi-Fi if you’re so inclined.
Eat Purr Love featured an art corner with coloring pages and tables to sit and enjoy a talk with fellow cat lovers. Some cat cafes schedule special events ranging from yoga with cats to painting classes.
Whatever you do, enjoy the slow pace of the cafe and the relaxation that comes from being surrounded by felines.
Be Prepared to Fall in Love
Cat cafes offer a chance to see and interact with adoptables in a home-like setting–and it’s hard not to quickly bond with these cuties. I fell in love with Fluffy, a one-year-old girl who reminds me so much of our Inca.
I’m so glad I had to chance to visit the Eat Purr Love Cat Cafe!
Paris Permenter is an award-winning author of 35+ pet and travel books. Along with her husband John Bigley, Paris is the founder and publisher of CatTipper & DogTipper. Paris and John share their home with three cats and two dogs.
