Weenect’s survey reveals festive furry mischief, combining tips from cat behaviour expert Birga Dexel with Weenect’s insights for dog owners.
Reading time : 4 min
London | Paris, December 2025 – Christmas may be magical for humans, but it’s often a whirlwind for pets. Between glittering decorations, festive foods, unfamiliar visitors, and sudden routine changes, the holiday season can trigger both mischief and stress in cats and dogs. A new qualitative survey by Weenect reveals that nearly one in three pets has caused memorable Christmas chaos – from climbing trees to stealing treats – while many animals also struggle with overstimulation, weight gain, and increased risks of unexpected run-offs. To help owners prevent festive chaos, cat behavioural therapist Birga Dexel explains why animals react this way and what simple steps can keep them calm, confident, and safe throughout the celebrations.
Two out of three owners said their pet displayed unusual behaviour at least once, and one in five recalled incidents the whole family still remembers. Cats often steal the spotlight, using the tree as a lookout, clearing lower branches, or napping among decorations.
Dogs get creative too: one Labrador ate the carrot nose off a snowman, while another pulled an entire tablecloth toward himself. Jeff, a cat, hid halfway up the Christmas tree for an hour – “like a leopard,” according to his owners.
Some animals add their own twist to festive cheer: one French Bulldog marked his mother‑in‑law’s tree, while another dog stole trays of pastries and gingersnaps left outside to thaw.
“For cats, Christmas can feel like a territory shift,” explains celebrity, cat behavioural therapist Birga Dexel. “A big tree appears, furniture is moved, decorations rustle or blink, and many unfamiliar people arrive. For sensitive cats, that’s a lot of stimulation.”
Three main stressors for cats:
Most mishaps occur not out of malice, but due to curiosity and natural behaviour: “Sparkling ornaments look like prey. Rustling ribbons are irresistible. And a Christmas tree is essentially a climbing tree – just not built for cats,” says Dexel.
She recalls a cat tangled in lights whose feline brother alerted owners with persistent meowing – an example of remarkable social intelligence.
Humans aren’t the only ones indulging. A third of pets gain weight during Christmas due to:
GPS trackers help owners monitor activity, making it easier to adjust walks, feeding, and training sessions to counteract weight gain.
With doors open more often and guests coming and going, many animals use these moments to explore the neighbourhood. Dexel explains: “GPS trackers like those from Weenect give owners real peace of mind during the hectic Christmas season. They allow you to monitor your pet in real time and react quickly if the animal leaves the house.”
Cats are “true escape artists,” she adds. Dogs may also slip out in moments of excitement, fear, or curiosity. A tracker isn’t a substitute for caution, but it offers significant support.
For cats:
For dogs:
For both:
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Birga Dexel has been developing pioneering, cat-friendly, and force-free training and therapy methods at the “Cat Institute Birga Dexel” since 2006. She and her team advise cat owners on behavioural issues and offer training programmes for both private cat owners and professionals. On television, she regularly appears on VOX and ARD in features and her own programmes, including “hundkatzemaus” (VOX), “Die Petprofis” (ARD), “3 Angels for Animals”, “Katzenkita”, and “Katzenjammer” (VOX). Since October 2024, cat lovers can also hear her alongside well-known TV presenter Jana Azizi in their joint podcast, “The Cat Consultation Hour.”
Founded in January 2012 by Adrien Harmel, Bénédicte de Villemeur-Vieille, and Ferdinand Rousseau, Weenect is a French company specialising in GPS trackers for dogs and cats, designed to ensure pets can roam safely and always return home. Endorsed by veterinarians and animal protection organisations, and collaborating with national registries such as I-CAD in France and TASSO e.V. in Germany, Weenect lifetime-guaranteed trackers offer real-time tracking every second, history analysis, activity tracking and much more, to prevent pets from getting lost. Weenect products are available in more than 2 ,000 partner shops and platforms, and are used by over 250,000 pet owners globally.
Media contact
Aiala Suso
Media & Brand Relations | English & Spanish-speaking Markets
aiala.suso@weenect.com
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