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. 79 - Why Is My Cat Touching My Face With His Paw? 🐱❤️
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Have you ever felt your cat gently touch your cheek with his paw?
Not a scratch. Not a swat. Just a soft little tap that feels incredibly intentional.
In this episode of Diary of a Cat Mom, I share the heartwarming story of one of my cats who gently pets my face whenever I'm standing near his cat tree. Curious about what this behavior meant, I researched it and discovered it may be one of the sweetest signs of affection cats can show.
We explore scent marking, trust, bonding, kittenhood memories, and why your cat may be telling you, "You're my person."
If your cat has ever touched your face, forehead-butted you, or gently reached out just to be close, this episode is for you.
What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode
🐾 Why cats gently touch human faces with their paws
🐾 The surprising role scent glands play in feline bonding
🐾 How kittenhood influences affectionate adult cat behavior
🐾 What your cat may be communicating through gentle paw touches
🐾 Why this behavior is often a sign of trust and emotional connection
Timestamps & YouTube Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:18 The gentle paw on my cheek
01:12 Why I became curious
01:49 What the research revealed
02:25 "You're my person"
03:03 The connection to kittenhood
03:37 Why cats choose our faces
04:02 A beautiful reminder of trust and love
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 does my cat pat my face with his paw? You're listening to Diary of a Cat Mom. Have you ever been standing in the kitchen doing dishes, minding your own business and suddenly felt a soft little paw touch your cheek? Not a sweat, not a scratch, just a gentle tap. Then another one a few seconds later. I have one cat who does exactly that. He will sit on the cat tree next to me, reach out with his paw, and softly touch my cheek. Once or twice, pause, and then he does it again. For the longest time I wondered what he was trying to tell me. Was he asking for tension? Was he comforting me, or was this his version of saying, I love you, mama? So the more I paid attention, the more I realized how intentional his behavior was. He never uses his claws, he never looks upset. His body is relaxed and calm. Sometimes he purrs, sometimes he just looks into my eyes while gently touching my face, searching for my eyes. And honestly, I melt every single time. I already knew he was a very affectionate cat, rubs against my legs, bumps his forehead against mine and follows me around the house. I also kiss him on his forehead all the time because he loves it. Some of my cats there enjoy forehead kisses more than being petted anywhere else on their bodies. So when he started gently touching my cheek with his paw, I became curious about what it really meant. And after researching it, I discovered that this is usually one of the sweetest forms of feline affection. Cats, they have sand clans and their paw pets. So when they gently touch us, they're often leaving a little bit of their scent behind. In cat language, that means you belong to my family. So I absolutely love that idea. It's like he's saying, you're my person. But there's even more to it than scent marking. Cat behavior experts believe that a soft paw on the face can be a gentle request for connection, not demand, not emergency, just a loving little reminder that they are there. So sometimes it's simple, pay attention to me. Sometimes it's I want to be close to you. And sometimes it's I'm comfortable with you. What touched my heart most was learning that this behavior may connect back to kittenhood. Kitten use their paws to connect with their mother when they feel safe, warm, and cared for. So when an adult cat gently places a paw on your face, they're showing a remarkable level of trust and comfort. The face is one of the most expressive parts of humans where our eyes, voice, and attention come from. So when a cat chooses your cheek, they're choosing the part of you that feels most personal. And if the touch is slow, gentle, and without claws, it's usually per perfection. So when my cat reaches out and softly touches my cheek, now I see it differently. I don't see a cat asking for something. I see a cat choosing connection, a cat who feels safe, a cat who trusts me, a cat who wants to be close to his person. And every gentle little paw reminds me how beautiful cat love can be. Quite simple without gender. Just a soft touch that says, I'm here, mama, and I love being with you. Till next time, give your cats a little extra love and enjoy the wonderful ways they tell you that you belong to their family. Thank you for being here with me. This is Diary of a Catma. Don't miss the next entry. There's always another story, a little lesson, another moment waiting to be shared. I will talk to you in the next entry. Diary of a catma.