Diary of a Cat Mom

When I rescued two young cat boys from different litters, I imagined they'd become best friends and keep each other entertained. Instead, they became territorial and constantly challenged each other. I felt stressed, disappointed, and worried every time I heard hissing across the house. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share the simple changes that helped reduce the tension betwe...

Have you ever noticed your cat staring out the window for hours? Mine did... and it made me realize something. No toy I bought could compete with what was happening outside. In this podcast episode of Diary of a Cat Mom , I share how I accidentally created my own version of "live Cat TV" using simple bird feeders, fresh water, and even wildflowers that appeared on their own. The best par...

Have you ever looked back at a stressful moment and realized you reacted completely differently than you would have years ago? That's exactly what happened to me when one of my rescue cats knocked plates and cat food all over my kitchen. Instead of frustration, I felt...peace. That simple moment made me wonder what had changed. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share how learning...

Can a DNA test tell you about your cat's future health? After a conversation about pet insurance with a friend, I started wondering whether there was any way to prepare for possible health issues before they happen. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I explore how cat DNA testing may reveal cat breed information that could point to potential genetic health risks. While it can't...

Do your friends truly understand why your cats mean so much to you? As a rescue cat mom, I've had conversations with people who completely understand my love for my cats... and others who simply say, "They're just cats." For a long time, those conversations left me feeling unseen. But spending time with my rescue cats helped me realize something much more important. Maybe peopl...

Sometimes the hardest part of being a cat mom isn't caring for our cats—it's trying to do everything ourselves. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share how one overwhelming day taught me that asking for help isn't giving up. Whether it's asking someone to help lift heavy cat litter, planning ahead, or simply recognizing when we're creating unnecessary stress, t...

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 , 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 sy...

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 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. O...

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 mo...

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 , 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, ap...

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 , 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 protec...

What do you do when your cat starts urinating everywhere—and nothing seems to help? In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , I share the story of Peekaboo, a rescue cat who developed severe inappropriate urination. After medical causes had been ruled out, my friend became emotionally overwhelmed and asked for help. When Peekaboo came to live with me, I quickly discovered how physically...

Can you actually train a cat to listen? As a cat mom, I've often wished my cats would come when I called them, stop fighting, or respond quickly during emergencies. While cats aren't dogs, I discovered that calm communication, consistency, and positive reinforcement made a surprising difference with my own cats. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share the simple approach I de...

What started as another afternoon outside with my indoor cats turned into something much bigger. Watching them chase squirrels, freeze in harnesses, and explore a world beyond the windows made me realize something: maybe what we're all missing isn't just more outdoor time—it's a space where everyone can enjoy it. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , I share why I&apos...

Can you pick up an adult cat by the scruff? Many cat parents learned that scruffing was a normal way to gain control during difficult situations like carrier trips, medication, or handling a frightened cat. I learned it too when I adopted my first rescue cat, Sheiba. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , I share why I used scruffing in the past, what I later learned about how adult c...

As cat parents, we all want to give our cats the best food we can afford. But when we have multiple cats, the monthly cost of cat food and litter can add up quickly. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , Dagmar shares a few simple ways she's reduced her cat food expenses over the years without sacrificing quality. From subscription discounts and loyalty programs to reward points...

Have you ever wished your cat would choose your lap, seek more affection, or show love in the way you hoped? In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , I reflect on my first cat, Sheiba, a confident Russian Blue who taught me one of the most important lessons I've learned as a cat mom. For years, I wanted proof that she loved me. I wanted cuddles, attention, and reassurance. But Shei...

Some days, being a cat mom feels easy. Other days, migraines, stress, overwhelm, anxiety, or frustration can make even simple tasks feel difficult. On those days, I sometimes catch myself wondering if I'm doing enough for my cats. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , I share what my cats have taught me during my hardest days, how they become my mirror when I'm stressed, an...

When my cat Snow White started losing weight and having urinary issues, I expected a simple vet visit. Instead, I was faced with hundreds of dollars in senior blood work and thyroid testing. At the time, all I saw was the additional expense. Looking back, that blood work changed Snow White's life. In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , I share Snow White's hyperthyroidism di...

AI can create beautiful things, but what happens when it creates animal rescue stories that never actually happened? In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast , I share my thoughts on the growing number of AI-generated dog and cat rescue videos online and why they concern me. While these stories can be emotional and inspiring, they may also pull attention away from real shelters, rescuers,...

Lilly was a feral kitten who didn't trust humans and wanted nothing to do with being touched. Every attempt to pet, brush, or care for her was met with hissing and swatting. In this podcast episode of Diary of a Cat Mom , I share Lilly's journey from a frightened feral kitten to a cat who finally felt safe, and the lesson she taught me about trust, patience, and not taking a cat's f...

What if one day a humanoid robot could help cat moms with the physical side of caregiving? In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share my vision for "Helga," my future humanoid robot helper. From carrying heavy litter bags and cat food to helping on migraine days when even basic tasks feel overwhelming, I explore how technology could support caregivers without replacing the love...

When my cat 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 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 medi...

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 , 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 sugg...

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 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 t...