The Katz Nest

Having twelve pets that all need attention and mental stimulation is already a bit chaotic.

Adding a newborn into the mix?

That’s a whole new level of challenge—and something we knew we had to be intentional about.

Meeting Their Needs (Even With a Baby)

One thing I didn’t change was how I responded to my pets’ needs.

If the dogs needed to go out—they let me know, and I let them out.

It sounds simple, but it matters more than you think. Imagine needing to use the bathroom and not understanding why you’re suddenly being ignored. That frustration builds quickly.

If the dogs wanted to play?

I played—with the baby in my arms.

It didn’t have to be “baby time” or “pet time.” It could be both.

As long as I could safely monitor everyone, my pets stayed included in our daily life.

Making Space for Everyone

One of my biggest priorities was making sure my pets didn’t lose their place in our home.

Especially Sebastian—my little “momma’s boy.”

I knew he might struggle with losing his spot on my lap, so I made sure he always had a place close to me. Sometimes that meant a blanket next to me while I held the baby. Other times, it meant handing the baby off so Sebastian could reclaim his spot.

At night, I didn’t push him out from under the covers either.

Because to him, that wasn’t just a spot—it was comfort and connection.

Keeping Their Safe Space

I was very intentional about not taking away their space in our bed.

Both dogs and two of our cats regularly sleep with us. Removing that wouldn’t just feel unfair—it would take away a place where they feel safe and secure.

Dogs especially rely on that closeness.

So instead of changing their space, we adjusted ours.

Our baby slept in a bassinet next to the bed.

Was it always easy? Not at all.

We definitely had a velcro baby who didn’t love being put down—but we found a way to make it work.

Not Restricting Their World

Another thing I avoided was suddenly blocking off large areas of the house.

It’s natural to want to protect your baby, but completely restricting your pets can create confusion, frustration, and even stress.

Instead, when the baby was set down, it was always in a safe, controlled space:

• A swing on the counter
• A stroller
• A separate room with the door closed
• Or a covered bassinet to keep curious cats out

This allowed our pets to keep the same freedom they were used to—without putting the baby at risk.

Staying Aware of Their Emotions

None of this would have worked if I wasn’t constantly aware of where my pets were and how they were feeling.

After years of working with dogs and cats—and living with them my whole life—I’ve developed a strong sense of reading their body language.

When the baby was around, that awareness became even more important.

It wasn’t just about managing the environment.

It was about understanding them.

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Because at the end of the day, giving your pets structure and space is important—but knowing when they need distance?

That’s what really keeps everyone safe and comfortable.

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👉 In Part 5, I’ll share how I recognized when my pets needed space—and what I did to help them feel comfortable being themselves around the baby.