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

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 bowlThis 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 PodcastDiary 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.Are You Helping Cat Parents Too? 🐾💕Veterinarians, emergency vets, cat behaviorists, rescue organizations, pet businesses, authors, and other cat experts may be a good fit for a future guest interview on Diary of a Cat Mom.→ Learn More About Becoming a Guesthttps://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-packageWant to Reach Cat Parents Through Podcasting? 🐾🐱Businesses, organizations, and experts who serve ...