The Katz Nest

Animals can be incredibly in tune with their owners’ emotions and life changes.

Many people notice shifts during pregnancy—dogs becoming more protective, cats becoming more affectionate. But while our pets can sense that something is changing… they might not actually understand what that change means.

And that’s where the confusion begins.

Understanding What Pets Really Need

Animals thrive on routine.

And as we all know, babies are one of the fastest ways to completely turn a routine upside down.

Even though our pets are domesticated, their instincts haven’t disappeared. Their ancestors survived by finding food, water, shelter, and safety every single day. That predictability—knowing what comes next—is what helps them feel secure.

When that structure disappears, it can leave them feeling anxious, confused, and sometimes even defensive.

A Simple Way to Think About It

Imagine being dropped into a foreign country.

You don’t speak the language.
You don’t know where you’ll sleep.
You’re unsure when your next meal will come.
And you don’t know if the people around you are safe.

You’d probably feel anxious, overwhelmed—maybe even scared or frustrated.

That’s what life can feel like for your pet when their routine suddenly disappears.

Now imagine you finally find safety—a place where your needs are met, where you feel comfortable and secure.

And then suddenly… everything changes again.

A loud, unpredictable new presence takes up all your people’s time.
Your routine disappears.
Your access to spaces changes.

You’re left wondering what happened—and why.

So why would our pets feel any differently?

What This Means for Pet Owners

Social media often shows the highlight reel—pets instantly falling in love with the new baby.

And yes, that can happen.

But more often than not, your pet is simply trying to figure things out.

They may feel:

• Confused
• Displaced
• Overstimulated
• Unsure of their place

And it’s our job as pet owners to recognize those feelings and help guide them through the transition.

Because this isn’t just a big change for you—it’s a big change for them, too.

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Understanding why your pet might struggle is the first step.

The next step?

Figuring out how to support them through it.

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👉 In Part 3, I’ll share the one thing I focused on that made the biggest difference—and how I met my pets’ needs, even with a newborn at home.