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. 78 - Why Is My Cat Bumping Her Head On Me? 🐱❤️
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Have you ever had your cat gently bump their forehead against yours?
Many cat parents wonder whether this sweet behavior is simply a request for attention or something much deeper. In this episode of Diary of a Cat Mom, I share the story of Baby, one of my most affectionate cats, and the surprising meaning behind feline head bunting.
What I discovered completely melted my cat mom heart.
This simple gesture may be one of the strongest signs of trust, love, and belonging that your cat can give you.
What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode
- What head bunting actually means
- Why cats share scent with the people they trust
- The difference between leg rubbing and forehead bumping
- How cats create family bonds through scent
- When forehead pressing may signal a medical concern
Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Why Cats Bump Their Foreheads Against You
01:08 Baby's Sweet Head-Bumping Habit
02:01 What Head Bunting Really Means
03:01 One of the Highest Forms of Feline Affection
03:42 When Head Pressing Could Be a Concern
04:03 You Are My Person
04:32 Closing
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. Day's diary entry while your cat bumps your forehead. You're listening to Diary of a Cat Mom. Have you ever had your cat walk right up to you and gently bump her forehead against yours? Maybe she does it once. Maybe she does it over and over again until you finally stop what you're doing and give her your full attention. As cat mums and cat dance, we often wonder what our cats are trying to tell us. Is it a fashion? Is it ownership? Is it a request for food? Or is it something deeper happening in that moment? My goodness, my cats absolutely love bumping their forehead on my head, especially baby. Back and forth again and again. He can never get enough of it. And every time when he does it, I can see how comforting it is for him. But I kept wondering what it really meant. Was he telling me he loves me? Was he claiming me as his human? Or was it simply just another way of getting my attention? So I started researching it because I wanted to understand what was happening from his perspective. And what I discovered absolutely melded my cat's mum heart. Baby always had a really special place in my art because he struggles with a weaker immune system and I know life isn't always easy for him. So when he put so much effort in showing affection and connecting with me, it feels incredibly precious. And there's nothing better than having him come over and gently press his forehead against mine. What I learned is that forehead bumping is called head bunting and is one of the most affectionate things a cat can do. Cats have scent cleanse on their forehead, cheeks, chin, and around their eyes. So when they press their forehead against you, they're sharing their scent with you. They are essentially saying, You belong to me, your family, I trust you, I feel safe with you. And unlike rubbing against your legs, which can sometimes be connected to wanting food or attention, headbunting is often purely social and emotionally. It's a deliberate choice. Your cat is getting face to face with you, completely relaxed and vulnerable. Researchers and cat behavior experts, they believe this behavior comes from the same social bonding cats share with their mothers and with cats they deeply trust. That's why headbunting is often considered one of the highest forms of feline affection. And if your cat bumps your forehead and then gives you a slow plink afterwards, that's basically a double dose of I love you in cat language. And one other thing I learned is that a calm, gentle forehead bump is perfectly normal. But if a cat suddenly starts pushing her head forceful against walls, furniture or other objects, or if the behavior comes with head shaking, scratching, winding, or other changes, it's worth talking to your vet because that can sometimes signal discomfort or medical issue. So now when baby bumps his forehead against mine, I understand the moment differently than before. I don't see a cat asking for something. I see a cat sharing trust. I see a cat saying, You're my safe place. And honestly, as a cat mom, that's one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive. So the next time your cat gently bumps her forehead against yours, pause for a second and enjoy it. Because in that simple little gesture, your cat may be telling you something. Beautiful. You are my person. Thank you for being here with me. This is Diary of a Cat Mom. Don't miss the next entry. There's always another lesson, another story, another moment waiting to be shared. I will talk to you in the next entry. Diary of a cat mom.