Diary of a Cat Mom
Diary of a Cat Mom is a reflective cat podcast created and hosted by Dagmar Gatell about understanding cats more deeply — and creating a calmer, more connected life for both you and your cats.
Based on real experiences caring for over 50 cats throughout her life, each episode shares quiet observations, emotional moments, caregiving reflections, and gentle insights from everyday life with cats. From routines, behavior, and emotional wellbeing to grief, gratitude, overstimulation, trust, and the small meaningful moments many people overlook — this is not a traditional “how-to” podcast, but a space for understanding, awareness, and lived experience.
Beyond cat care itself, Diary of a Cat Mom also explores our connection to nature, emotional presence, personal growth, and the way our inner state can influence the animals who share our lives. Because living with cats is never only about feeding and routines — it’s also about energy, safety, trust, patience, and how we show up emotionally in the spaces we create together.
Created for cat lovers who see their cats as family, this podcast offers companionship, reassurance, perspective, and emotional support during seasons of caregiving, uncertainty, healing, change, and letting go.
Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal storytelling podcast and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and medical or behavioral concerns should always be discussed with a trusted veterinarian or qualified professional.
You’re not alone on this journey.
We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.
Episodes
115 episodes
Gifts for a Cat Mom I Don't Want Anymore | Cat Mom Life | Ep. 115
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 g...
Cat Furniture Creates a Homey Feeling | What My Cats Taught Me About Cat Enrichment | Ep. 114
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 be...
How to Train a Cat with Commands | Patience, Consistency & Trust | Ep. 113
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 p...
How to Use Catnip With Cats | How My Cats Discovered Its Magic | Ep. 112
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 discovere...
How to Prevent Cat Fights in a Multi-Cat Home | Cat Behavior | Ep. 111
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, a...
DIY Cat Enrichment Ideas: Live Cat TV on a Budget | Cat Enrichment | Ep. 110
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
How Do I Regulate My Nervous System? What My Cats Taught Me | Cat Mom Life | Ep. 109
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 cats knocked plates and cat food all over my kitchen.I...
DNA Test for Cats: Beyond Cat Breed Results | Cat Health | Ep. 108
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
Do Your Friends Understand Your Cat Mom Vibe? | Cat Mom Life | Ep. 107
Do your friends truly understand why your cats mean so much to you?As a 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, t...
Why Asking for Help Made Me a Better Cat Parent | Cat Mom Life | Ep. 106
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 ...
How to Keep Cats Calm During Fireworks | Understanding Cats | Ep. 105
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, p...
How to Get a Cat in a Carrier - Making Vet Visits Less Stressful | Understanding Cats | Ep. 104
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...
Is My Cat Purring Out Of Stress? | Understanding Cats | Ep. 103
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 sl...
Let's Count Our Blessings - Grateful for Cats | Cat Mom Life | Ep. 102
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 fo...
Cat Food Disaster - What I Learned Last Night | Cat Supplies | Ep. 101
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
My Cat Urinates Everywhere | Cat Behavior | Ep. 100
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...
How Can I Train My Cat to Listen to Me? Surprise, Surprise... | Cat Behavior | Ep. 99
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...
Manifesting a Catio: Live Cat TV for My Cats & Freedom For Me | Cat Enrichment | Ep. 98
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 mi...
Can I Hold My Cat By the Scruff? Seeing It From My Cat's Perspective | Understanding Cats | Ep. 97
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...
How I Save Money on Cat Food Without Sacrificing Quality | Cat Supplies | Ep. 96
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 ...
Why Do I Want So Badly That My Cats Love Me? | Cat Mom Life | Ep. 95
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...
The Days I Don't Feel Like a Good Cat Mom | Cat Mom Life | Ep. 94
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.I...
Pet Blood Work for Cats – Affordable Blood Tests Needed | Cat Health | Ep. 93
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 expen...
Fake AI Dog & Cat Rescue Stories Take Away Opportunities from Real Rescues | Feral Cats | Ep. 92
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 g...
My Cat Doesn't Want to Be Touched | Understanding Cats | Ep. 91
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...