Confusing Feeding with Showing Love | Feeding Cats | Ep. 84

Have you ever given your cat an extra treat because they looked at you with those irresistible eyes?For many cat parents, food becomes one of the easiest ways to show love. I did it too. Growing up, I watched my mom feed outdoor cats whenever they showed up hungry, so when I had cats of my own, I kept their bowls full and refilled them whenever they were empty.It wasn't until a veterinarian suggested controlled feeding that I realized I might be confusing food with affection. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast episode, I share how changing my cats' feeding routine helped them stay healthier and taught me that love comes in many forms beyond treats and food bowls.What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode What controlled feeding means for cats  Why free-feeding can sometimes lead to weight gain  How portion control helped my cats stay healthier  The health benefits of scheduled feeding  Why affection and food are not always the same thing  Alternative ways to show your cat love besides treats Timestamps & Chapters00:00 Have you ever given your cat an extra treat because they looked adorable?00:24 Growing up with outdoor cats and free-feeding00:52 The vet visit that introduced me to controlled feeding01:25 Moving from free-feeding to scheduled meals01:55 Learning portion control02:18 Realizing I was using food as affection02:48 Why cats need connection, not just calories03:08 Health benefits of controlled feeding03:25 Other ways to show cats love03:38 Not every expression of love comes from a food bowlDiary 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 ParentsEverything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/About the Diary of a Cat Mom PodcastDiary 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.Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.→ Learn More About Becoming a Guesthttps://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-packageConnect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.→ Learn More About Sponsorshiphttps://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package