Ep. 84 Confusing Overfeeding Cats with Love ❤️🐾

Ep. 84 Confusing Overfeeding Cats with Love ❤️🐾

Have you ever given your cat an extra treat because they looked at you with those irresistible eyes? For many cat parents, food becomes one of the easiest ways to show love. I did it too. Growing up, I watched my mom feed outdoor cats whenever they showed up hungry, so when I had cats of my own, I kept their bowls full and refilled them whenever they were empty. It wasn't until a veterinarian suggested controlled feeding that I realized I might be confusing food with affection. In this Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] podcast episode, I share how changing my cats' feeding routine helped them stay healthier and taught me that love comes in many forms beyond treats and food bowls. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode *  What controlled feeding means for cats  *  Why free-feeding can sometimes lead to weight gain  *  How portion control helped my cats stay healthier  *  The health benefits of scheduled feeding  *  Why affection and food are not always the same thing  *  Alternative ways to show your cat love besides treats  Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Have you ever given your cat an extra treat because they looked adorable? 00:24 Growing up with outdoor cats and free-feeding 00:52 The vet visit that introduced me to controlled feeding 01:25 Moving from free-feeding to scheduled meals 01:55 Learning portion control 02:18 Realizing I was using food as affection 02:48 Why cats need connection, not just calories 03:08 Health benefits of controlled feeding 03:25 Other ways to show cats love 03:38 Not every expression of love comes from a food bowl This is where I’ve gathered everything that supports me and my cats: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/ [https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/] About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] is a quiet, personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about-the-host/], sharing real moments, emotions, and experiences from life with cats [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about/]. This space is meant for connection, comfort, and companionship. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom and is not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, it’s always best to consult your trusted veterinarian. Most of all, please remember:  You’re not alone on this journey. We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.

Ep. 83 - Can I Love a Cat I Don't Like? 🐱❤️

Have you ever loved a cat but not liked them very much? Many cat parents feel guilty admitting it, but some cats come with behaviors that test our patience every day. In this episode of Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I share the story of a cat who was passed from one home to another and struggled to feel secure. Over time, I learned that what looked like frustrating behavior wasn't really his personality at all. It was a survival strategy from a cat who didn't feel safe. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode 🐾 Why difficult cat behaviors are not always personality traits 🐾 How insecurity and fear can affect a cat's actions 🐾 Why patience can help anxious cats relax 🐾 How compassion changed my relationship with a challenging cat 🐾 The lesson this cat taught me about unconditional love Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 – Have you ever loved a cat but not liked them?  00:44 – Meeting the "divorce cat"  01:31 – Why his behaviors drove me crazy  02:26 – What changed over time  03:09 – Behavior versus personality  04:00 – The lesson he taught me about compassion This is where I’ve gathered everything that supports me and my cats: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/ [https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/] About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] is a quiet, personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about-the-host/], sharing real moments, emotions, and experiences from life with cats [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about/]. This space is meant for connection, comfort, and companionship. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom and is not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, it’s always best to consult your trusted veterinarian. Most of all, please remember:  You’re not alone on this journey. We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.

Ep. 82 - Why Does My Cat Nurse On a Blanket? 🐱🧸

When one of my rescue cats started suckling on blankets, my ears, and even my nose, I thought it was simply a cute kitten habit. Later I learned that this common feline behavior often has deeper emotional roots connected to comfort, security, and early life experiences. In this Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] podcast episode, I share his rescue story and what he taught me about understanding unusual cat behaviors with compassion. What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode * Why some cats suckle on blankets and soft object * How early separation from their mother may influence this behavior * Why suckling and kneading often happen together * When blanket suckling is usually harmless * What one rescue cat taught me about comfort and security Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:04 Does Your Cat Suckle on Blankets Too? 00:32 My Cat's Rescue Story 01:24 Why He Suckled on Blankets 02:02 Why Cats Suckle and Knead 02:36 What My Rescue Cat Taught Me 02:55 Gentle Takeaway 03:07 Closing Thoughts This is where I’ve gathered everything that supports me and my cats: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/ [https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/] About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] is a quiet, personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about-the-host/], sharing real moments, emotions, and experiences from life with cats [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about/]. This space is meant for connection, comfort, and companionship. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom and is not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, it’s always best to consult your trusted veterinarian. Most of all, please remember:  You’re not alone on this journey. We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.

Ep. 81 - Can I Dance With My Cat? 💃🐾

I love dancing. My cats make me happy. Naturally, I thought combining the two would be a wonderful idea. So every now and then, I would pick up one of my cats, hold them close, and dance around the room. In my mind, it was a beautiful bonding moment. My cats disagreed. In this episode of Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I share what happened when I tried dancing with my cats, what I learned from researching the topic, and why respecting our cats' individual preferences may be one of the greatest acts of love we can offer. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode 🐾 Whether cats actually enjoy being danced with 🐾 Signs your cat may be uncomfortable while being held 🐾 Why every cat has different boundaries and preferences 🐾 How to create positive bonding moments with your cat 🐾 A gentle reminder that love means listening to our cats too Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:15 Why I Started Dancing With My Cats 00:55 My Cats Had Other Opinions 01:40 What The Research Says 02:20 The Cat Gets A Vote 02:55 Respecting Your Cat's Preferences 03:15 Gentle Takeaway & Closing This is where I’ve gathered everything that supports me and my cats: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/ [https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/] About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] is a quiet, personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about-the-host/], sharing real moments, emotions, and experiences from life with cats [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about/]. This space is meant for connection, comfort, and companionship. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom and is not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, it’s always best to consult your trusted veterinarian. Most of all, please remember:  You’re not alone on this journey. We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.

Ep. 80 - Why Does My Cat Pin His Ears Back? 🐱❤️

Have you ever been petting your cat and everything seems perfectly fine... until suddenly his ears go back? In this episode of Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I share what I discovered after noticing one of my senior cats pinning his ears back during cuddle sessions. At first, I worried something was wrong. But after researching cat body language, I learned that pinned-back ears can be an important sign that a cat is feeling overstimulated. Join me as we explore what your cat may be trying to tell you when those ears suddenly change position and how recognizing the signal can strengthen the bond between you and your feline companion. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode 🐾 What pinned-back ears can mean in cats 🐾 How to recognize petting overstimulation 🐾 The difference between fear, pain, and overstimulation signals 🐾 Why ear position should never be interpreted by itself 🐾 How respecting your cat's boundaries builds trust Timestamp & Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:32 My little weaky and his pinned-back ears 01:22 When petting starts to change 02:08 Could I be overstimulating him? 02:49 What pinned-back ears actually mean 03:35 Signs your cat has had enough 04:13 When ear pinning may signal illness or pain 04:42 Learning to respect my cat's boundaries This is where I’ve gathered everything that supports me and my cats: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/ [https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/] About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] is a quiet, personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about-the-host/], sharing real moments, emotions, and experiences from life with cats [https://diaryofacatmom.com/about/]. This space is meant for connection, comfort, and companionship. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom and is not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, it’s always best to consult your trusted veterinarian. Most of all, please remember:  You’re not alone on this journey. We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.