Diary of a Cat Mom

Ep. 89 - Ear Thyroid Medicine for Cats: How It Changed Snow White's Life Quality ❤️🐱

When Snow White developed urinary issues, I thought it was another stress-related episode. But when the problem didn't improve, a veterinary visit uncovered something I never expected: hyperthyroidism. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] episode, I share how a simple weight check led to a diagnosis, the challenges of giving thyroid pills to a cat who hated them, and how ear thyroid medication transformed Snow White's quality of life. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode *  Common signs of hyperthyroidism in older cats  *  Why weight loss in senior cats should never be ignored  *  The connection between thyroid disease and behavior changes  *  Challenges of giving thyroid medication to cats  *  How transdermal ear medication helped Snow White  *  Why finding the right treatment method matters  Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Introduction  00:24 Snow White's urinary issues continue  00:58 The unexpected weight loss  01:35 Hyperthyroidism diagnosis  02:09 Why the thyroid pills didn't work for Snow White  02:48 Switching to ear thyroid medication  03:20 Common signs of hyperthyroidism in cats  04:02 How treatment changed Snow White's quality of life  04:31 Gentle takeaway  04:49 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. 88 - Cat Anxiety and Stress: What Helped My Cats Feel Calmer 🐱💛

Have you ever noticed your cat hiding more than usual, seeming tense, startled, or unable to fully relax? In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast [https://diaryofacatmom.com/], I share my personal journey of helping anxious cats feel safer and more comfortable. From singing bowls and healing frequencies to practical ways of creating a calm environment, this episode explores what helped my cats and what research suggests may help anxious cats feel more secure. What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode *  Common signs of anxiety and stress in cats  *  Why a safe environment can help anxious cats  *  How predictable routines create confidence  *  My experience using singing bowls and healing frequencies  *  Why gentle reassurance may help fearful cats  *  When it may be time to seek veterinary guidance Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 Introduction  00:18 When my cats' anxiety made me anxious too  00:49 Trying singing bowls and healing frequencies  01:28 What I noticed in my cats afterward  01:57 Creating a safe environment for anxious cats  02:41 Why elevated spaces help cats feel secure  03:03 Why predictable routines matter  03:32 How reassurance helped one of my cats  04:19 When to talk with your veterinarian  04:44 The gift of helping a cat feel safe  05:09 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. 87 - Does Petting Your Cat Reduce Stress in You Both? ❤️🐱

Have you ever noticed how calm and peaceful you feel when your cat curls up beside you? In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom [https://diaryofacatmom.com/] podcast, 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 - Emergency Vet Experience: Care 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.