A Cat Is Not an Object ❤️🐾 A Living Being Who Needs Love

Our cats need much more than food, water, and shelter.

In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I reflect on how easy it is to become consumed by our own schedules and responsibilities, and why choosing to see our cats as living beings instead of possessions changes the way we care for them.

A simple trip to buy cat food became a reminder that both people and animals need community, attention, and connection.

You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode

• Why cats have emotional needs
• How busy lives affect our relationships with our cats
• Why small moments of attention matter
• How caring for our cats can also bring us greater peace

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 A cat is not an object
• 00:28 A trip to buy cat food changed my perspective
• 01:10 Why cats need community and companionship
• 02:04 When life gets busy and our cats need us
• 02:53 Choosing presence over constant productivity
• 03:24 Question for fellow cat moms

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

There is something beautiful about caring for community cats—but there is also uncertainty.

Unlike indoor cats, community cats come and go. Sometimes they disappear for days, leaving you wondering if they're safe or if you'll ever see them again.

In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share what years of caring for outdoor community cats have taught me about planning ahead, creating safe feeding routines, providing shelter, and learning to let go of the worry that comes with loving animals you cannot always protect.

If you care for community cats, I hope this episode reminds you that doing your best each day truly matters.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• What community cats are
• Why some cats prefer living outdoors
• How routines help community cats feel safe
• Ways to prepare shelters that offer better protection
• How I learned to cope with the uncertainty of outdoor cat care

❤️ Have you cared for community cats? I'd love to hear your experience in the comments.

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:20 Why I Love Caring for Community Cats
• 01:10 When Community Cats Disappear
• 02:08 Planning Ahead to Keep Cats Safe
• 03:10 Learning to Trust Instead of Worry
• 04:00 Finding Peace in the Uncertainty

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

As our cats grow older, their needs begin to change—and so do ours.

In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share how caring for my cats has shifted from focusing mostly on enrichment and play to paying closer attention to medications, supplements, comfort, and subtle changes in their behavior. Their journey has also taught me to slow down, be present, and make the most of every moment we have together.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• Why senior cats often require a different daily routine
• Small changes to watch for as cats grow older
• How aging cats changed my own priorities
• Why being present matters more than perfection
• Why taking care of yourself helps you care for your cats

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 My cats are growing older
• 00:47 From playtime to daily health care
• 01:42 Paying attention to small behavior changes
• 02:45 Adapting my own life to meet their needs
• 03:42 Why caring for myself helps me care for my cats
• 04:25 How are your cats changing with age?

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

Can cats teach us how to be more present?

While giving Snow White her daily thyroid medication, I noticed something that completely surprised me. For those few moments, my attention wasn't on work, tomorrow's plans, or everything still on my to-do list. I was simply focused on her.

That realization made me see that my cats help me experience something I often struggle with in everyday life—being fully present.

In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share how caring for my cats has become a reminder to slow down, appreciate the moment, and feel grateful for the simple time we spend together.

What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode

• A quiet moment while giving Snow White her medication
• Why being with my cats feels different from everyday life
• How cats naturally bring us into the present moment
• Why mindfulness sometimes happens without trying
• A question for fellow cat moms

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:18 Giving Snow White her thyroid medicine
• 00:51 My realization about being completely present
• 01:23 Why it's harder for me during everyday life
• 02:23 The gift my cats give me every day
• 03:06 Question for fellow cat moms

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you?

In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast, I share what I've learned about cat vocalization after living with multiple cats. While cats often meow, chirp, trill, chatter, or howl, I discovered that every one of my cats has their own unique sound and personality.

From Peekaboo reminding me not to forget her dinner to Fred greeting me outside my office door, Hope humming with excitement over food, and Snow White's unforgettable high-pitched demands, every vocalization became a clue that helped me better understand what each of them needed.

Over time, I realized it wasn't just about recognizing the sounds. Watching their body language, the situation, and the time of day helped me understand the bigger picture. Instead of ignoring their communication, I learned to respond in ways that strengthened our bond while still keeping healthy boundaries.

If you've ever wondered what your cat's different sounds might mean, I hope my experiences help you better understand your own furry family member.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• What cat vocalization means
• Common sounds cats make
• Why every cat develops unique ways of communicating
• How body language helps explain vocalizations
• How responding to your cat can strengthen your relationship

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:19 Common cat vocalizations
• 01:02 Peekaboo's signature food sound
• 02:06 Fred's daily hello
• 03:00 Hope's happy food humming
• 03:57 Snow White's unforgettable voice
• 05:41 Learning what each vocalization meant
• 07:07 Why responding matters
• 08:24 Final thoughts & question of the day

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

Have you ever thought you knew why your cat was behaving a certain way, only to discover something completely different was happening?

In this episode of Diary of a Cat Mom, I share the story of a friend's cat that constantly fought with another cat and urinated throughout the house. At first, it seemed like the conflict between the two cats was causing the problem.

But after I temporarily welcomed the cat into my home, I discovered a clue that completely changed how I understood the situation.

Sometimes the behaviors we see are only symptoms. The real message is hidden in how our cats communicate with us—and with each other.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• What cat communication skills really mean
• Why aggressive behavior isn't always the real problem
• How stress can appear as fighting or inappropriate urination
• Why observing your cats without assumptions can reveal important clues
• How understanding your cats can create a more peaceful multi-cat household

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:22 A friend's cat kept peeing everywhere
• 01:12 Giving the cat a quiet room of her own
• 02:08 The clue that changed everything
• 03:05 Understanding what the cat was really communicating
• 03:48 What this taught me about cat communication skills

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

When I first became a cat mom, I loved receiving cat-themed gifts. Every mug, shirt, bag, and decoration made me smile because it celebrated something I loved so much.

Over the years, though, I realized something had changed.

Some gifts no longer reflected my values, while others simply became things I already had too many of. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share the cat gifts I no longer want and why my perspective has changed after living with cats for many years.

Sometimes growing as a cat mom also means becoming more intentional about the things we bring into our cats' lives—and our own.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• Why my favorite cat gifts changed over time
• The cat toys I no longer feel comfortable giving my cats
• Why safety matters more than novelty
• Why personalized gifts feel more meaningful to me today
• How my values as a cat mom have evolved

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 Why I don't want the same cat gifts anymore
• 00:42 When cat-themed presents stopped feeling special
• 01:20 Why I avoid toys made with real feathers or fur
• 02:10 Cheap cat toys that became a safety concern
• 02:58 Why I don't need another cat mug
• 03:22 Cat gadgets I no longer trust
• 03:45 Final thoughts & question for fellow cat parents

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

When I bought my first cat tree, I thought I was simply buying another piece of furniture.

Years later, I realized something much deeper.

Every cat tree, hammock, scratcher, and cozy bed helped my rescue cats feel like they truly belonged. Their furniture became part of their safe space—a little home inside our home.

In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast, I share how my perspective changed and why creating familiar spaces may help indoor cats feel more secure and relaxed.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• Why cat furniture is more than just decoration
• How familiar spaces help cats feel safe
• Why enrichment is about creating a home, not buying more things
• The lesson my rescue cats taught me about belonging

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 My first cat tree felt like just another purchase
• 00:28 Watching my cats make it their own
• 00:58 My realization: cat furniture creates a home
• 01:36 Creating a peaceful home for our cats

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

Can you really train a cat?

Many people believe cats cannot be trained, but I've discovered that they absolutely can—just not the way we often expect.

In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast, I share how one of my cats taught me that training isn't about control. It's about building trust, creating routines, and being patient enough to let learning happen over time.

By using simple commands, positive reinforcement, and consistent consequences, my cat slowly learned when it was time to come inside from the backyard. More importantly, I learned that changing my own expectations was just as important as teaching her.

If you've ever wondered whether your cat can learn commands, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• Why cats can learn simple commands
• How positive reinforcement builds trust
• Why consistency matters more than perfection
• How consequences can create predictable routines
• Why patience is often the biggest lesson for cat moms

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 Can you really train a cat?
• 00:23 Why I wanted my cat to respond to commands
• 00:56 Teaching the "Come" command with treats
• 01:41 Building routines with "inside" and "outside"
• 02:26 My biggest realization about patience
• 03:03 The lesson my cat taught me

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package

Have you ever wondered how to use catnip with your cat?

When I first became a cat mom, I bought a bag of catnip from the grocery store because I had heard cats loved it. My cats completely ignored it.

Years later, I discovered that not all catnip is the same.

In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share how finding a higher-quality catnip completely changed the experience for my cats—from encouraging scratching and play to creating peaceful moments of relaxation. I also share how I used catnip while helping community cats and why it became one of my favorite forms of enrichment.

Every cat is different. Not all catnip is the same quality, and quality affects reaction. I'm simply sharing what worked for my cats and me.

What You'll Learn In This Cat Podcast Episode

• Why some cats ignore catnip
• The difference quality can make
• Different ways cats respond to catnip
• How I use catnip for enrichment
• Why catnip became part of our daily life

Timestamps & Chapters

• 00:00 – My first experience with catnip
• 00:45 – Discovering that catnip quality matters
• 01:35 – How each of my rescue cats reacted differently
• 02:30 – Using catnip to help community cats feel comfortable
• 03:10 – Why catnip became one of my favorite enrichment tools

🌿 Products I Mention in This Episode

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Diary of a Cat Mom. 💛🐾

From The Field Fine Ground Stalkless Catnip (10 oz)

After trying several brands, this is the freshest and most affordable catnip I've found. My rescue cats respond to it much more than the grocery store brands I tried when I first became a cat mom.

I like to sprinkle it on scratching pads, scratching beds, blankets, or toys when:

• 🐾 we're home from a vet visit and they need help relaxing
• 🐾 one cat seems tense and I want to redirect their attention
• 🐾 I want to encourage scratching or play
• 🐾 I simply want to give them a little extra enrichment

Every cat is different, but this has become one of my favorite ways to create happy moments for my cats. 💛🐾

Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.

Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/

About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast

Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.

Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package