The Katz Nest

If I could give one piece of advice to anyone bringing home a new baby to a house with pets, it would be this:

Learn your pet—and learn how to understand what they’re feeling.

Because while keeping your baby safe is your number one priority, part of that responsibility is understanding the animals in your home.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Most people feel like they know their pets well.

I did too.

But the reality is, animals can’t talk. You can never be 100% sure what they’re feeling in any given moment. That’s why understanding their body language is so important—especially when introducing something as big and unpredictable as a newborn.

None of what we’ve done would have worked if I wasn’t paying close attention to my pets.

Understanding Cats: Giving Them Space to Adjust

Our cats were nervous at first.

They didn’t lash out, but I made sure they always had space when they needed it.

Cats are naturally cautious animals. When I worked at an animal shelter, we always told adopters to give a new cat at least a month to adjust. If you start seeing progress within that first month, it’s a good sign that things will continue improving.

Bringing home a baby is no different.

It’s a huge change, and it takes time.

Signs of Stress in Cats

• Hiding
• Changes in litter box habits
• Hissing, growling, or increased vocalizing
• Scratching, biting, stalking, or pouncing
• Decreased appetite or energy

Body Language to Watch Around the Baby

• Crouching
• Leaning back
• Dilated pupils or squinting eyes
• Flattened ears
• Low, swishing tail
• Puffing up (bushy tail or raised fur)
• Stiff body
• Wide-eyed staring

If I noticed any of these signs, I gave them space immediately.

I never forced interaction.

Cats need time to process what’s happening and decide for themselves that it’s safe.

Think of it this way: if you saw something scary—like a giant spider or standing at the edge of a cliff—and someone pushed you toward it, you’d panic. But if you were given time to observe and realize it wasn’t a threat, you’d calm down much faster.

Cats are no different.

Understanding Dogs: Reading the Subtle Signs

Dogs communicate differently, but the principle is the same—watch their body language and respect it.

Signs of Stress in Dogs

• Tail tucked between the legs
• Crouching
• Flattened ears
• Raised fur along the back
• Stiff body
• Wide-eyed staring
• Growling or snarling
• “Side-eye” (whale eye)

Whenever I noticed any of these signs, I gave them space.

Even now, I still monitor every interaction closely to make sure everyone feels comfortable.

Check out our Facebook to view a video of our dog Cooper interacting with our baby!

What Happened Over Time

Within a couple of weeks, things started to settle.

The pets became more comfortable.
The baby became less “new.”
And our home started to find its rhythm again.

Now, they love the baby—mostly.

And the reason it worked wasn’t luck.

It was awareness.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your pet’s body language isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

It’s what allows you to:

• Prevent stress from escalating
• Keep your baby safe
• Help your pets adjust in a healthy way

Because when your pets feel heard and respected, they’re much more likely to feel secure.

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👉 In Part 6, I’ll share how each of my pets actually reacted to the baby—and what I had to do differently for each one to make things work.