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'm dreaming of building a portable catio, what my cats have taught me about curiosity and enrichment, and why creating a better environment isn't just about improving their lives—it can improve ours too.

You'll Hear in this Cat Podcast Episode

• Why bird feeders became "live TV" for my cats
• My experience trying cat harnesses
• The adventures of my fearless cat Hope
• The challenges of creating a hurricane-friendly catio
• How changing a cat's environment can spark curiosity
• Why giving our cats freedom can also give us freedom

Timestamps & Chapters (7:07)

00:00 Manifesting a Catio
00:40 Why My Indoor Cats Love Being Outside
01:42 The Harness Experiment That Failed
02:42 Meet Hope, My Little Escape Artist
04:02 Designing My Dream Portable Catio
05:34 How a Catio Would Give Us Both More Freedom
06:29 Change Brings Curiosity Back

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Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
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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 cats experience it, and how seeing the situation from my cat's perspective changed the way I handle my cats today.

This episode isn't about guilt. It's about learning, growing, and strengthening the trust we share with our cats.

What You'll Hear in this Cat Podcast Episode

• Why many cat parents were taught to use scruffing
• The difference between carrying kittens and handling adult cats
• What feline experts say about lifting cats by the scruff
• Why a cat becoming limp may not always mean they are relaxed
• How I safely pick up and support my cats today
• Why trust and emotional safety matter during handling

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 Can I Hold My Cat By the Scruff?
00:38 How I Learned About Scruffing
01:21 Seeing the Situation From My Cat's Perspective
02:03 Why Adult Cats Are Different From Kittens
02:41 What Experts Say About Scruffing
03:22 How I Pick Up My Cats Today
04:14 Trust Matters More Than Control
04:49 Learning To Be A Better Cat Mom

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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 and buying strategies, these small changes helped her save money while still feeding her cats the food she trusts.

If you're looking for practical ways to stretch your cat budget, this episode may give you a few ideas worth exploring.

You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode

• How Dagmar's perspective on cat food costs changed after adopting multiple cats
• Why learning about cat nutrition influenced her purchasing decisions
• The simple subscription strategy that helped lower her monthly expenses
• How loyalty programs and rewards can offset cat care costs
• Why small savings add up over time
• Practical ways to reduce cat food expenses without changing brands

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 — How Cat Food Became a Major Expense
00:52 — Learning About Cat Food Quality
01:34 — Subscription Discounts That Added Up
02:20 — Reward Programs and Credit Card Benefits
03:00 — Farm Stores, Loyalty Programs, and Bulk Buying
03:42 — Small Changes That Save Money Over Time
04:18 — Every Dollar Saved Helps Our Cats
04:54 — The End

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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 Sheiba had her own way of showing love.

Looking back, I realize that love isn't always expressed the way we expect—especially when it comes to cats.

Sometimes love looks like trust.
Sometimes love looks like safety.
And sometimes love simply looks like feeling at home.

What You'll Learn in This Cat Podcast Episode

• Why many cat parents seek reassurance from their cats
• How cats often express love differently than humans do
• What Sheiba taught me about trust and emotional security
• Why independence doesn't mean a cat loves you less
• How our expectations can affect the way we interpret feline behavior
• The deeper meaning behind the bond we share with our cats

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 Why Do I Want So Badly That My Cats Love Me?
00:40 My Expectations After Adopting Sheiba
01:40 The Russian Blue Diva
02:28 The Lesson She Taught Me Before She Passed
03:20 How Cats Show Love Differently
04:03 Love, Trust, Safety, and Home
04:37 Final Thoughts

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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, and why they remind me that being present matters more than being perfect.

Sometimes the lessons our cats teach us aren't about them at all. They're about learning to be kinder to ourselves.

What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode

• Why difficult days can make us question ourselves as cat parents
• How cats notice changes in our emotions and behavior
• Why cats often stay close when we're not feeling well
• How our cats can become a mirror for our own stress
• Why being a present cat parent matters more than being a perfect one
• The lesson of self-compassion my cats continue to teach me

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:15 The Days I Question Myself as a Cat Mom
00:53 When My Cats Know Something Is Wrong
01:43 My Cats Become My Mirror
02:27 Why My Cats Don't Need a Perfect Mom
03:01 The Lesson of Self-Compassion
03:28 Final Thoughts

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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 diagnosis, how her ear thyroid medication transformed her quality of life, and explore options that may help make blood testing more affordable for cat parents.

What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode

• Why blood work helped identify Snow White's hyperthyroidism
• Typical costs of senior cat blood tests
• How cat insurance works
• The pros and cons of pet insurance
• Alternative ways to manage veterinary costs
• Why diagnostic testing can be life-changing for cats

Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
00:46 Snow White's Blood Work Journey
02:16 The Cost of Pet Blood Tests
03:15 Understanding Cat Insurance
04:52 Alternative Ways to Afford Blood Work
06:06 Looking Back at Snow White's Diagnosis
06:43 Final Thoughts

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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, and animals who genuinely need our support.

I talk about some of the signs I look for when watching rescue content and why asking a few simple questions can help us make more informed decisions about where we invest our attention, shares, and donations.

What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode

• Why AI rescue stories can be difficult to identify
• Common signs that a rescue story may not be real
• Why real rescue work is often messy and imperfect
• How fake rescue content can impact real animal organizations
• Questions to ask before supporting a rescue channel

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 Fake AI Dog & Cat Rescue Stories
00:35 Why We Love Rescue Content
01:15 When AI Stories Look Too Perfect
02:08 Questions I Ask When Watching Rescue Videos
03:07 How Fake Rescue Content Affects Real Animals
03:52 Support Real Rescues

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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 fear personally.

What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast

• Why some cats don't like being touched
• How fear can look like rejection
• The challenges of socializing a feral cat
• Why trust doesn't always look like cuddles
• How patience helped Lilly become part of a multi-cat family

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 - My Cat Doesn't Want to Be Touched
00:31 - Lilly's Life in the Cat Community
01:49 - The Tree Rescue
02:50 - Bringing Lilly Inside
03:35 - Why Touch Felt Unsafe
04:47 - Learning to Socialize a Fearful Cat
05:42 - The Vet Visit That Changed Everything
06:18 - What Trust Really Looks Like
07:08 - Episode End

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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 that makes caregiving special.

I also reflect on another form of support that's already arriving: AI digital clones that can help creators continue sharing their stories during difficult times.

Because maybe the future isn't about replacing humans.

Maybe it's about helping them keep doing what they love.

What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode

• Why I named my future humanoid robot helper Helga
• The physical challenges of caring for multiple cats
• How migraines can affect pet caregiving
• Why support matters more than replacement
• How AI digital clones could help content creators
• My vision for technology that assists caregivers

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:18 Meet Helga, my future humanoid robot helper
00:57 The reality of multi-cat caregiving
01:49 Migraines and caring for cats
02:33 Why I started imagining Helga
03:05 What I really want isn't replacement
03:38 AI digital clones and podcasting
04:32 Technology supporting caregivers
05:10 Closing thoughts

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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

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 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

Never Miss an Entry
Subscribe to Diary of a Cat Mom on Substack for weekly episodes — real talk, real life, real cats — delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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