12 Must-Have Pet Advent Calendars for Cats & Dogs
As if you need another excuse to spoil your pet...
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It’s no secret that here at Kinship, we love spoiling our pets, and there’s no better time to do so than in the lead-up to Christmas. Which is why we’ve searched far and wide for the best pet advent calendars available in the UK to treat our dogs and cats this festive season.
We’re not alone: as a nation, we’ve officially embraced indulgent pet parenting and we’re not looking back. According to Waitrose figuresopens in new tab from 2024, sales for Christmas pet lines were up a whopping 964 percent year-on-year (including purchases of Christmas-themed meals, stockings and pet advent calendars for our furry babies).
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When it comes to the best pet advent calendars, they can have all sorts of goodies hidden behind their windows: treats, toys, accessories, or even a mix of all three.
Then again, some of the best dog advent calendars and cat advent calendars available are empty. These gorgeous, reusable and eco-friendly buys will become keepsakes from one Christmas to the next, and they can be personalised and filled with your BFF’s favourite treats. Pet advent calendars in the UK are available at a range of price points, starting at under £5 and going up to £100+ for luxury reusable designs.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
As a longtime Bulldog mum-turned-auntie (my nephew Pork Chop is currently living with me, right in time to get spoiled this Christmas), I love finding him treats he’ll enjoy which won’t irritate his sensitive tummy. And as a feline auntie, I’m also planning to indulge the cats in my life with their own “countdown to Christmas” calendars. Here are some of our favourites.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
The 12 best pet advent calendars on the market for 2025
Best advent calendars for dogs
Best advent calendars for cats
How to choose the right pet advent calendar for your cat or dog
One thing to keep in mind when buying your precious pet an advent calendar?
“Just because it's available for you to purchase, doesn't mean that it's safe for your dog,” cautions Giuseppe Bloom-Mangione, founder of MUTHAPUPPAopens in new tab, a dog rescue organisation funded by sales from its online shop.
He gives the example of rawhide treats as something to avoid: they’re difficult to digest, packed with chemicals and can be a choking hazard for dogs. But despite this, rawhide is abundant this time of year.
“At Christmas, it's often produced in stocking form, coloured red and green,” explains Bloom-Mangione. “Generally, if you see a stocking-type chew, it's going to be made of rawhide.” He urges owners to read the fine print on the label before buying – sometimes rawhide is concealed in the ingredients list.
How do I know if the treat portions are right for my pet?
According to Bloom-Mangione, manufacturers have “generally looked at nutritional values and ingredients” of pet advent calendars, so they’re designed “to be OK to give to your dog every day, because you’re only giving them one.”
Still, you know your pet better than anyone, so if you think the advent calendar treats are more indulgent than what your cat or dog is used to, open a window every other day. (They won’t mind, we promise.)
Some calendars, like Pedigree’s, helpfully provide treat info at the back, indicating recommended treat amounts for dogs and cats based on their size (treats should make up 10 percent of your pet’s total calorie intake per day).
Are there pet advent calendars for dogs and cats with allergies?
Yes, you can find hypoallergenic, grain-free or even plant-based advent calendars for dogs and cats with allergies.
Alternatively, you can avoid food-based advent calendars entirely and choose a version filled with toys, or opt for an empty advent calendar you can add your own treats to.
What ingredients should I look for in a pet advent calendar?
Ingredients are one of the first things to look at: in addition to checking for rawhide, keep an eye out for any allergens you’re aware of before purchasing.
“I understand that price makes things prohibitive sometimes, but check if they've got fillers like meat meal or animal derivatives – you want to avoid those,” says Bloom-Mangione. “If there's meat protein in there, check: is that right for your dog’s diet? The really important ones are: does it contain sugar? Sweeteners like xylitol? Sweeteners aren’t just bad for your dog – in many cases, they can be toxic.”
Do pet advent calendars only contain treats?
No, pet calendars have a variety of fillings – or none at all. Some versions are empty and reusable, so you can fill them with whatever your pet enjoys; others are pre-filled with toys and festive accessories instead of treats, and some contain a mix.
How much do pet advent calendars cost in the UK?
Much like human advent calendars, there’s a pet advent calendar for every budget. We’ve found loads of options at under a tenner (containing treats or toys), and a huge selection under £20. Reusable options that you can personalise tend to be pricier, but remember, these can be used every year. And if you want to splurge, Fortnum’s has you covered with its £125 wooden illustrated dog advent calendar.
Are there eco-friendly pet advent calendars?
From plant-based food pet advent calendars to reusable designs made from wood or felt, eco-friendly pet advent calendars are widely available.
Reusable options you can fill with something you know your pet enjoys are the most eco-friendly of all, but disposable ones tend to be more wallet-friendly.
Frequently asked questions: pet advent calendars
When should I start using my pet’s advent calendar?
Your pet can be on the same advent calendar schedule as you, getting their first treat on 1 December and enjoying their advent up through Christmas Eve.
Some pet advent calendars also come in smaller sizes, with only nine or 12 days of toys or treats, which gives you flexibility when it comes to start dates. Do what’s best for your cat or dog rather than sticking to a strict schedule.
Can I use a pet advent calendar for puppies and kittens?
Be sure to check if the pet advent calendar you’re keen on is suitable for kittens and puppies as not all of them are and what’s inside could irritate sensitive young tummies – even if they’re filled with toys instead of treats. But there are plenty of options available that work for puppies and kittens over eight weeks.
No matter what age your pet is, be sure to supervise them with their advent calendar goodies. As Bloom-Mangione says: “If it’s toys in an advent calendar, it’s likely they’re going to be small. It could be a choking hazard, even for a small dog.”
He also recommends checking for “loose parts on the toy that come off easily, by design, or bits that can be chewed off the toy that your dog might swallow.”
My pet is on a diet – can they still have an advent calendar?
Toy-filled pet advent calendars are a great alternative to treats-based ones, especially for pets with allergies or following specific diets. Toy-filled calendars also support interactive play, and can be used to encourage your pet to exercise.
Beyond the advent calendar, it’s important to be aware of how easy-access all food is during the Christmas season, something Bloom-Mangione implores pet parents to pay attention to.
“Having the advent calendar out of reach of your dog is really important, because guzzlers like Labradors will hunt it out and eat the whole thing, including the packaging,” he says. He also urges pet parents to be aware of toxic human foods that cats and dogs might be able to reach this time of year, including chocolate, nuts, raisins and onions, as well as choking hazards like cooked turkey bones.
Are pet advent calendars recyclable?
Many pet advent calendars are now fully recyclable (check the packaging to be sure) but you can do one better and purchase a reusable pet advent calendar you won’t be throwing away after one season. These also minimise waste because you fill them with treats you know your pet is going to enjoy (and tolerate).
