Ep. 105 - How to Keep Cats Calm During Fireworks | Understanding Cats

Ep. 105 - How to Keep Cats Calm During Fireworks | Understanding Cats

Fireworks season can be terrifying for our feline friends, and every cat reacts differently — some barely notice, while others bolt and hide for hours.  In this episode of Diary of Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], podcast host Dagmar Gatell shares the personal story of how her cat Sheiba's panic over a loud noise first opened her eyes to just how sensitive cats can be. From there, she walks through the practical system she now uses every 4th of July and New Year's Eve to keep her cats safe, secure, and as calm as possible — including door safety, creating hiding spots, testing calming tools ahead of time, and managing her own energy so her cats take their cues from her. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode: * Why every cat reacts differently to loud noises like fireworks — and why that means one-size-fits-all solutions don't work * A simple, low-cost way to prevent escape risks using baby gates on exit doors * How to set up safe hideaway spots around the house so cats have somewhere to retreat * Why it's important to test calming tools (like Jackson Galaxy's solutions) before you actually need them * How a cat parent's own emotional state can directly influence how anxious or calm their cats become * Why regular music doesn't help skittish cats, and what kind of calming audio (528 Hz purring tracks) actually does * The value of starting calming routines days in advance rather than only during the event itself Timestamps (Total runtime: 3:40) * 0:00 – 0:35 — Intro: Why fireworks and loud noises are so hard on cats; the story of Sheiba's first panic reaction * 0:35 – 1:00 — The "aha moment": every cat responds differently, so preparation is key * 1:00 – 1:25 — Tip #1: Using baby gates on exit doors to prevent escape risk during fireworks * 1:25 – 1:55 — Tip #2: Creating enough hideaway spots (cat houses, blankets, cozy corners) around the home * 1:55 – 2:15 — Tip #3: Testing calming solutions (like Jackson Galaxy's methods) ahead of time, not in the moment * 2:15 – 2:50 — Tip #4: Staying calm yourself — how your energy affects your cat's stress levels * 2:50 – 3:25 — Tip #5: Why regular music doesn't work, and using calming 528 Hz purring audio days in advance * 3:25 – 3:40 — Wrap-up and invitation for listeners to share their own tips 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. Are You Helping Cat Parents Too? 🐾💕 Veterinarians, emergency vets, cat behaviorists, rescue organizations, pet businesses, authors, and other cat experts may be a good fit for a future guest interview on Diary of a Cat Mom. → Learn More About Becoming a Guest https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package [https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package] Want to Reach Cat Parents Through Podcasting? 🐾🐱 Businesses, organizations, and experts who serve ...

Ep. 104 - How to Get a Cat in a Carrier - Making Vet Visits Less Stressful | Understanding Cats

Getting a cat into a carrier sounds simple... until your cat disappears under the bed the moment the carrier comes out. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] podcast, I share my very first experience trying to get my rescue cat, Sheba, into a front-loading carrier before a veterinary appointment. What I thought would take only a few minutes turned into a stressful experience for both of us. Over the years—and after caring for several rescue cats—I discovered that preparing myself first was just as important as preparing the carrier. Today I share the simple changes that helped make vet visits calmer, easier, and less stressful for everyone. If you've ever struggled getting your cat into a carrier, I hope my story helps make your next trip a little easier. The top-loading cat carrier I mention in this episode made a huge difference for me. It helped make getting my cats into the carrier much easier and less stressful than using a front-loading carrier alone. If you're looking for a similar carrier, here's the one I use: https://amzn.to/44MaoC9 [https://amzn.to/44MaoC9] This episode description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. You'll Hear In This Cat Podcast Episode  * My biggest mistake as a first-time cat mom * Why the carrier itself wasn't the real problem * The routine that now works much better for my cats * Emergency preparedness for multi-cat households * How small changes reduced stress for everyone Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 How My First Cat Carrier Experience Began 01:17 Sheba Had Other Plans 02:23 Why the Front-Loading Carrier Didn't Work 03:12 Snow White Taught Me Another Lesson 04:15 The Routine That Changed Everything 05:08 Preparing Myself Before Preparing My Cat 06:02 Why I Now Use a Top-Loading Carrier 06:40 Creating a Calm Experience for Both of Us 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. Are You Helping Cat Parents Too? 🐾💕 Veterinarians, emergency vets, cat behaviorists, rescue organizations, pet businesses, authors, and other cat experts may be a good fit for a future guest interview on Diary of a Cat Mom. → Learn More About Becoming a Guest https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package [https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package] Want to Reach Cat Parents Through Podcasting? 🐾🐱 Businesses, organizations, and experts who serve ...

Ep.103 - Is My Cat Purring Out Of Stress? | Understanding Cats

For years, I believed a purring cat was always a happy cat. Then my rescue cats taught me something I never expected. From anxious vet visits to caring for injured community cats and saying goodbye to my beloved Russian Blue, Sheiba, I slowly realized that cats don't always purr because they're content. Sometimes they purr to comfort themselves during stressful, unfamiliar, or painful moments. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I share the experiences that completely changed how I understand one of the most familiar sounds our cats make. You'll Hear In This Cat Podcast Episode  *  The vet visit that changed how I viewed purring  *  Why my anxious rescue cat Snow White surprised me  *  What an injured community cat taught me  *  My final lesson from my beloved Russian Blue, Sheiba  *  How I now interpret my cats' purring differently Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Is My Cat Purring Out of Stress? 00:35 Snow White's surprising vet visit 01:25 I thought it was only Snow White... 01:45 The injured community cat changed my mind 03:05 Sheiba's final lesson about purring 03:50 Purring isn't always happiness 04:30 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. Are You Helping Cat Parents Too? 🐾💕 Veterinarians, emergency vets, cat behaviorists, rescue organizations, pet businesses, authors, and other cat experts may be a good fit for a future guest interview on Diary of a Cat Mom. → Learn More About Becoming a Guest https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package [https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package] Want to Reach Cat Parents Through Podcasting? 🐾🐱 Businesses, organizations, and experts who serve ...

Ep. 102 - Let's Count Our Blessings - Grateful for Cats | Cat Mom Life

Sometimes all it takes is one look from a cat to remind us what really matters. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I reflect on the rescue cats who changed my life forever. From Hope's rescue story to Mama Cat, Robin, Baby Boy and Snow White, each of them brought something unique into my life and helped shape the person I am today. This episode is a reminder to slow down, appreciate the little moments, and count the blessings our cats bring into our lives every day. You'll Hear In This Cat Podcast Episode  *  Hope's rescue story  *  How Mama Cat found me  *  Robin's lasting lesson about unconditional love  *  Snow White's unexpected arrival  *  Why every cat leaves a unique paw print on our hearts Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Let's Count Our Blessings 00:20 Hope's Rescue Story 01:20 Mama Cat Changed My Life 02:25 Baby Boy & Robin's Story 03:40 Snow White's Unexpected Rescue 04:25 Thankful for Cats ❤️ What They Bring Into Our Lives 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. Are You Helping Cat Parents Too? 🐾💕 Veterinarians, emergency vets, cat behaviorists, rescue organizations, pet businesses, authors, and other cat experts may be a good fit for a future guest interview on Diary of a Cat Mom. → Learn More About Becoming a Guest https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package [https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package] Want to Reach Cat Parents Through Podcasting? 🐾🐱 Businesses, organizations, and experts who serve ...

Ep. 101 - Cat Food Disaster - What I Learned Last Night | Cat Supplies

I thought I was ordering my usual 22-pound bag of cat food. The product photo looked right. The price looked right. But when my order arrived, it wasn't what I expected. In this podcast episode of Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I share how a rushed online purchase—and what I believe was a misleading product listing—turned into an unexpected lesson about slowing down, paying closer attention, and protecting my own peace of mind. Sometimes the biggest lessons come from the smallest everyday moments. You'll Hear in this Cat Podcast Episode  * What happened when my cat food arrived * Why the listing wasn't what I expected  *  How customer service resolved the issue  *  The lesson I took away from the experience  *  Why slowing down benefits both us and our cats Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 4x 3.15-pound cat food for $20? 00:34 Why I was rushing 01:28 The surprise delivery 02:05 What I learned 03:00 Slowing down next time 03:40 Final 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. Are You Helping Cat Parents Too? 🐾💕 Veterinarians, emergency vets, cat behaviorists, rescue organizations, pet businesses, authors, and other cat experts may be a good fit for a future guest interview on Diary of a Cat Mom. → Learn More About Becoming a Guest https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package [https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package] Want to Reach Cat Parents Through Podcasting? 🐾🐱 Businesses, organizations, and experts who serve ...