diff --git a/cmd/status/main.go b/cmd/status/main.go
index e1e2d77..3a5f349 100644
--- a/cmd/status/main.go
+++ b/cmd/status/main.go
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ func (m model) View() string {
 		return "Loading..."
 	}
 
-	header := renderHeader(m.metrics, m.errMessage, m.animFrame, m.width, m.catHidden)
+	header, mole := renderHeader(m.metrics, m.errMessage, m.animFrame, m.width, m.catHidden)
 	cardWidth := 0
 	if m.width > 80 {
 		cardWidth = max(24, m.width/2-4)
@@ -154,20 +154,25 @@ func (m model) View() string {
 			}
 			rendered = append(rendered, renderCard(c, cardWidth, 0))
 		}
-		result := header + "\n" + lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, rendered...)
-		// Add extra newline if cat is hidden for better spacing
-		if m.catHidden {
-			result = header + "\n\n" + lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, rendered...)
+		// Combine header, mole, and cards with consistent spacing
+		var content []string
+		content = append(content, header)
+		if mole != "" {
+			content = append(content, mole)
 		}
-		return result
+		content = append(content, lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, rendered...))
+		return lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, content...)
 	}
 
 	twoCol := renderTwoColumns(cards, m.width)
-	// Add extra newline if cat is hidden for better spacing
-	if m.catHidden {
-		return header + "\n\n" + twoCol
+	// Combine header, mole, and cards with consistent spacing
+	var content []string
+	content = append(content, header)
+	if mole != "" {
+		content = append(content, mole)
 	}
-	return header + "\n" + twoCol
+	content = append(content, twoCol)
+	return lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, content...)
 }
 
 func (m model) collectCmd() tea.Cmd {
diff --git a/cmd/status/view.go b/cmd/status/view.go
index f64df1d..018aa8b 100644
--- a/cmd/status/view.go
+++ b/cmd/status/view.go
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ type cardData struct {
 	lines []string
 }
 
-func renderHeader(m MetricsSnapshot, errMsg string, animFrame int, termWidth int, catHidden bool) string {
+func renderHeader(m MetricsSnapshot, errMsg string, animFrame int, termWidth int, catHidden bool) (string, string) {
 	title := titleStyle.Render("Status")
 
 	scoreStyle := getScoreStyle(m.HealthScore)
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ func renderHeader(m MetricsSnapshot, errMsg string, animFrame int, termWidth int
 
 	headerLine := title + "  " + scoreText + "  " + strings.Join(infoParts, " · ")
 
-	// Show cat unless hidden
+	// Show cat unless hidden - render mole centered below header
 	var mole string
 	if !catHidden {
 		mole = getMoleFrame(animFrame, termWidth)
@@ -179,14 +179,14 @@ func renderHeader(m MetricsSnapshot, errMsg string, animFrame int, termWidth int
 
 	if errMsg != "" {
 		if mole == "" {
-			return lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, headerLine, "", dangerStyle.Render("ERROR: "+errMsg), "")
+			return lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, headerLine, "", dangerStyle.Render("ERROR: "+errMsg)), ""
 		}
-		return lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, headerLine, "", mole, dangerStyle.Render("ERROR: "+errMsg), "")
+		return lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left, headerLine, "", mole, dangerStyle.Render("ERROR: "+errMsg)), mole
 	}
 	if mole == "" {
-		return headerLine
+		return headerLine, ""
 	}
-	return headerLine + "\n" + mole
+	return headerLine, mole
 }
 
 func getScoreStyle(score int) lipgloss.Style {