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.
Diary of a Cat Mom
Ep. 70 - Why Is My Cat Rubbing Her Cheek on Everything? 🐱💕
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Why does your cat rub her cheek on furniture, walls, cat trees, or even your legs? In this Diary of a Cat Mom episode, I share the emotional meaning behind this sweet cat behavior, what cats are actually doing when they rub against you, and when excessive rubbing could signal a possible health issue.
What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode
- Why cats rub their cheeks on objects and people
- What scent glands and pheromones do
- Why cats mark safe spaces
- The emotional meaning behind cheek rubbing
- When excessive rubbing may point to allergies, fleas, or ear problems
- Why this behavior can feel like a quiet cat love language
Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:04 – Why Cats Rub Their Cheeks on Everything
00:45 – My Personal Experience with My Cats
01:36 – What Cats Are Actually Doing
02:09 – Scent Glands, Pheromones & Safety
02:42 – When Excessive Rubbing Could Be a Health Concern
03:08 – Why I See It as a Love Sign
03:24 – Final Thoughts & Gentle Takeaway
This is where I’ve gathered everything that supports me and my cats:
https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/
About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast
Diary of a Cat Mom is a quiet, personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments, emotions, and experiences from life with cats.
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.
Diary of a catmom Today's Diary Entry Why Your Cat Rubs Her Cheek on Everything. You're listening to Diary of a Cat Mom. Have you ever wondered why your cat rubs her cheek on furniture, door frames, boxes or even your legs? Many cat parents think their cat is simply being cute or asking for attention. And sometimes that's part of it. But there's actually a deeper reason behind this behavior. I noticed this with my own cats many years ago. They would walk through the house, rubbing their cheeks on everything, like on corners, cat trees, blankets, and sometimes directly against me. They're up against my legs when I walk by. They're up against my hands when I reach down to pet them. Sometimes they even rubbed their cheek against my face, but that was more seldom. So at first I thought they were just looking for attention or they're wanting to be petted. But the behavior happened so often and in so many different places that I became curious about what they were doing and why they were doing it. Honestly, every time one of my cats rubs against me, I take it as a little love sign from my cats. So what I learned is that cats have sand glands in their cheeks. When they're up their cheeks on objects, other animals or people, they leave behind pyramides. These sand markers, they help cats identify things that feel familiar, safe, and comforting. In a way your cat is creating a map of her safe world. When she rubs against a chair, a doorway, or her favorite catchery, she's marking it as part of her environment. So when she rubs against you, she's including you in that safe, familiar space. Most of the time, cheek rubbing is completely normal and harmless. Sometimes I learn that if the rubbing suddenly becomes excessive, like well, looks painful or is accompanied by scratching, head shaking, sensitivity, or changes in behavior, it can sometimes point to health issues. Like aggressive rubbing may occasionally be linked to allergies, fleece, ear infections, skin irritation, or any other medical problem. So if something feels different from your cat's normal behavior, it's always worth having your bed take a look at it. Most of the time when your cat rubs her cheek against you, she's not just touching you. She's leaving a little sent message that says, A part of my world, and you're safe. You belong here. And for me, that's one of the sweetest ways a cat can say, I trust you. So the next time your cat rubs her cheek against your leg or your hand, enjoy the moment. You might just be receiving one of the quietest and most beautiful love notes a cat can give us. Thank you for being here with me. This is story of a cat mom. Don't miss the next entry. There's always another little moment, another lesson, another story waiting to be shared. I will see you in the next entry.