Warm Cuddles at the Iglesias Cat Café

Kitties and cookies, coffees and cuddles. Coffee break with furry friends. Whether it’s for a quick coffee, an Italian breakfast, an afternoon coffee or a late evening snack. The home of the six cats at the Iglesias Cat Café is purringly purrfect for all of the above.

On the Sardinian South-West coast, in Iglesias to be precise; there is a place you can go and spend some times with furry, cuddly friends – cats to be specific. The clean, indoor variety of the species. We have the Iglesias ‘cat café’ (Gatto in Tazza).

A novelty for a Norwegian

For a Norwegian this is a novelty, in the North such an endeavour or business would not be possible due to our stricter regulations. Therefore, to be able to go and have a tea or a coffee (with delicious baked goods) and spend time with the café kitties is fun and amusing.

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“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.”

Leonardo da Vinci

Particularly when the wether is less than favourable. There is no better thing on a cold and rainy winter morning to come in to the cats. Here it’s warm, cosy and with an atmosphere of calm relaxation. 

This combined with my favourite staple, the creamy latte macchiato with a biscuit shaped like a cat face. I can settle in for a treasured moment.

A temple of Zen & relaxation

When you come in, there is usually one or more of them sleeping somewhere. Either curled up neatly on a cushion or with one or more limbs dangling off the cat tree. Regardless of the sleeping position a sleeping cat is always the epitome of peacefulness. Even when they are awake, just watching the surroundings, they are masters of Zen. Apparently being in their company can actually be good for your health.

According to studies having a cat around you can trigger the release of calming chemicals in your body which lower your stress and anxiety levels. And who does not need a dose of that!

Scientific reasons to visit (if any are needed)

Their purring is also believed to be good for us. The cat purrs at a frequency of 20-140 HZ. Research have shown that people can benefit from these vibrations.

Purring has been linked to lowering stress, lessening the chances of a heart attack, and even strengthening bones.

Pet therapy is apparently gaining momentum in many places. So there you go, if you ever need an excuse to go in other than to just have a ‘cuppa’ and pet a cat.

Some of the cats might be snoozing away as only cats can do, while others might be playing with something on the floor or coming over to say ‘hi’ when you come in.

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.”

Albert Schweitzer

Zen moments with Mr. Botola

One time I was visiting the Cat Café, Mr Botola shared his cat zen with me. I was lucky to be chosen to serve as a cushion, and without warning I had a soft orange cat sitting on my lap. After initial greetings, he approved of my petting and laid down on my lap. An honour indeed! 

His vantage point from my lap gave him the opportunity to hit and play with the tail of the other unsuspecting residents. At the same time as being interested in my biscuit (but sorry Mr Botola, the biscuit was not for you). 

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When I leave the Gatto in Tazza, I leave with a smile on my face. Uplifted and filled up on zen and calmness, courtesy of the cats. As a result, you leave with an indifference to the busyness and the stress on the street you step out onto.

A place to recharge and reset for whatever the rest of the day brings.

“Time spent with cats is never wasted”

Sigmund Freud

“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort”

James Herriot

Lots of love,

Bee

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Facts & Info, Insights & Particulars:

The resident cats in the Iglesias cat café are: 

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Thank you so much to Gatto in Tazza (clickable link) for providing these photos complete with names

Nuvola is the mum of Chai and Moka, while Mr Botola, Chicco and Megan are two brothers and a sister.

The cat café is the home of the six resident cats, so of course one must respect their needs and rights. Like no feeding (biscuits are not healthy for kitties), no tail pulling etc. A note on the wall tells you all you need to know.

The Cat Café is open all week and all day (apart from Sunday) with a break at lunch time. On the cafe’s Facebook page there’s additional info and their opening times. Together with news about the cats and the delicious offerings in the café.  

You can find the Iglesias Cat Café in the centre of Iglesias in Via Roma, 15, 09016 Iglesias CI, Italy.

Link to another post from Iglesias – observations in Saint Francs