Ep. 79 - Why Is My Cat Touching My Face With His Paw? 🐱❤️

Ep. 87 - Does Petting My Cat Relieve Stress In Both of Us? 🐱❤️

Have you ever noticed how calm and peaceful you feel when your cat curls up beside you? In this episode of Diary of a Cat Mom, I share the comforting moments I experience when my cats cuddle with me and the surprising research behind why those moments may reduce stress for both cats and humans. We explore the science of cortisol, oxytocin, and why letting cats choose affection may be the key to helping them feel safe and relaxed. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode *  Why petting a cat can reduce stress in humans  *  How cats may benefit emotionally from trusted human interaction  *  The role of cortisol and oxytocin in bonding  *  Why consent matters when interacting with cats  *  How to recognize when your cat wants affection  *  The special comfort shared between cats and cat moms Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Introduction  00:23 Why I Started Wondering About This  01:08 What the Research Says About Stress Relief  02:08 How Cats Benefit Too  02:52 Why Cats Need to Choose the Interaction  03:25 The Gift of Quiet Moments Together  03:52 The End 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. 86 - When the Emergency Vet Cares for the Cat Mom Too 🐾💕

Have you ever noticed that when your cat gets sick after regular vet hours, it feels like your whole body goes into panic mode? In this podcast episode of Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I share my fears around emergency vet visits, the difficult decisions cat parents sometimes face in the middle of the night, and why I was surprised to learn about a new emergency veterinary model that cares for both the pet and the person who loves them. What You'll Learn * Why emergency vet visits can feel overwhelming for cat parents * Common fears many pet parents experience during emergencies * Why clear communication matters during stressful veterinary situations * How some emergency hospitals are changing the pet parent experience * Why caring for the cat mom can be part of caring for the cat Takeaways * Emergency vet visits can be emotionally overwhelming for pet parents. * Clear communication helps reduce fear and confusion during emergencies. * Many cat parents worry about making the right decisions under pressure. * Some emergency hospitals are creating more family-centered experiences. * Caring for pet parents can help them better support their pets. Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 – When your cat gets sick after hours 00:20 – My fears about emergency vet visits 01:02 – Making difficult decisions alone at night 01:35 – Discovering a different emergency vet experience 02:02 – Why this emergency hospital feels different 02:25 – Two patients during a pet emergency 02:40 – Caring for the cat mom too 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. 85 - When the Vet Sees You, Not Just Your Cat 🐾❤️

Have you ever felt like your vet only sees your cat and not you? As cat parents, we spend countless hours worrying, researching, medicating, cleaning, transporting, and doing everything we can to help our cats live healthier lives. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] episode, I share a recent experience with Snow White that reminded me how much it means when a veterinarian sees not only the patient but also the human who loves and cares for them every day. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode * Why feeling supported by your veterinarian matters * How trust grows between pet parents and veterinary teams * Why medication challenges are more common than many cat parents realize * The difference compassion can make during stressful vet visits * Why caring for the human is part of caring for the cat Takeaways * Great veterinarians care about both the pet and the caregiver. * Medication challenges can affect treatment plans. * Compassion builds trust during difficult situations. * Being seen and understood as a cat parent matters. * Small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:19 Why I Love Eau Gallie Veterinary Hospital 01:01 Waiting While Snow White Has Blood Drawn 01:38 The Blood Test Didn't Work Out 02:11 Snow White's Medication Challenges 02:52 An Unexpected Act of Kindness 03:23 When a Vet Sees the Cat Mom Too 03:48 Gentle Takeaway & Question 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. 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.