The 9 Best Advent Calendars for Pets of 2022

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The Spruce Pets / Lecia Landis

We love treating our cats and dogs year-round, but the holiday season offers a slew of festive advent calendars that turns everyday pet treats into special occasions. Happy Petsmas to all!

Inspired by the traditional advent calendar form—which counts the days leading up to Christmas on December 25—pet versions are limited-release bundles with one hidden, pet-friendly object or snack for each day of the traditional advent season, which typically begins on December 1. Some advent calendars (pet and human alike) opt instead to commemorate the 12 days of Christmas, which begins on Christmas day and continues into the new year.

Our favorite advent calendar for pets is the Frisco Holiday 12 Day Advent Calendar, which offers a fantastic selection of toys for your cat or dog.

To help you find the chronologically organized gift encasement that will suit your pet, we took a page from Santa's playbook and made a list. With a mix of treats, cookies, chewers, and toys, all dogmas are welcome to join the fun. We (selfishly) recommend filming your pet's reaction to each item and posting it on social media so can all partake in their joy.

From canines who enjoy the classics to catnip-crazes cats and pumice-obsessed guinea pigs, here are the best advent calendars for pets.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall For Dogs

Frisco Holiday 12 Day Advent Calendar with Toys for Dogs

4.9
frisco-holiday-12-day-advent-calendar-with-toys-for-dogs

Chewy

Best Overall for Cats

Frisco Holiday 12 Day Advent Calendar with Toys for Cats

4.9
12 days of catsmas

Chewy

What We Like
  • Toys encourage human and pet playtime

  • No dietary restrictions

  • Available for cats and dogs, but make sure you select the right one

What We Don't Like
  • Only covers 12 days leading up to Christmas, instead of a full 25 days

Delight your FIR-y friend with a tree-shaped advent calendar. This is our best pick overall for the holiday season because there's a version for dogs and cats, and you don't have to worry about dietary restrictions or preferences, since each calendar offers 12 days of toys. Drawer-like boxes are decorated with a classic green and red plaid and the 12th box at the top of the cardboard tree is shiny and gold. Each version will gift your pet with plush toys. Dogs will also unleash ropes, squeakers, and tug toys, whereas cats will untether balls, chasers, crinkly toys, and a little bit of catnip.

The two Frisco advent calendars have slightly different dimensions. The dog version is 15 inches wide, 17 inches tall, and 7 inches deep, while the cat version is 10.6 by 14.6 by 4.3 inches. Both are the perfect size for display on a mantle or countertop, but also have a stable enough base that you could keep them against a wall at floor level, so your dog or cat can explore and anticipate.

While the contents of an advent calendar are traditionally a surprise, one great thing about the Frisco version is that you can see exactly what toys are in store on the product page. That way, your pets can be surprised, but you'll know exactly what's in store for that days celebratory reveal.

Price at time of publish: $37 (dogs) or $25 (cats)

Duration: 12 days | Contents: Toys | Pets: Dogs and cats

Best for the Catnip Obsessed

More & Merrier Catnip Advent Calendar Cat Toy

Catnip Calendar

Petco

What We Like
  • Plush toys are refillable

  • Mix of catnip products and catnip blends

  • Also includes a few silvervine options, in case your cat doesn't react to catnip

What We Don't Like
  • Utilitarian box is not very attractive as a display piece

Give the gift of happiness to your cat with 12 days of catnip and cat toys. If you have a cat that goes wild for catnip, then this is the advent calendar to get. Catnip is an herb within the mint family that is known to stimulate certain brain chemicals related to mood and is believed to bring about a euphoric feeling in felines. This festively decorated box contains 12 carefully packaged red boxes inside. Each box contains a seasonal saying and either a packet of catnip, a soft refillable catnip toy, a catnip spray, or a compressed catnip chew in a seasonal shape.

Price at time of publish: $28

Duration: 12 days | Contents: Toys | Pets: Cats

Best Movie-Inspired for Dogs

Bark Box Elf Advent Treat Calendar

Elf Bark Box

Bark Box

What We Like
  • Crunchy textured treats

  • Made with whole grains

  • Limited release for holiday season

  • Illustrations from the movie Elf featured throughout packaging

What We Don't Like
  • Currently only available with a BarkBox subscription until November

  • There's a distinct lack of Will Ferrell

The best way to spread holiday cheer is by barking loud for all to hear! Evoke the excitement level of Buddy the Elf when he thinks Santa is coming in your pupper with 25 days of delectable delights.

If viewing the holiday-favorite movie, Elf is a seasonal must in your home, then you'll enjoy unboxing a new cookie each day. A collection of Buddy's pals from the North Pole are illustrated throughout the packaging, and all 25 delicious (from a dog's perspective!) treats have a crunchy texture and come in three festive shapes, Gingerbread Man, Wreath, and Snowball.

Price at time of publish: $25 (available in November without a subscription)

Duration: 25 days | Contents: Treats | Pets: Dogs

Best for Cookie-Loving Canines

Wüfers Dog Cookie Advent Calendar

Wüfers Advent Cookie Calendar

Wüfers

What We Like
  • Baked and packaged to stay fresh for 15 months

  • 24 handmade, decorated cookies

  • Illustrated gift box

  • Key ingredients: cinnamon, apple, peanut butter

What We Don't Like
  • Cookies are high in calories (4,230 calories for the box)

Santa isn't the only one who craves a plate of cookies! If you are looking for a gift that will impress both human and doggo, then this eye-catching illustrated advent calendar from Wüfers is the one to get. It's filled with 24 hand-decorated cookies (23 mini bone cookies and 1 paw cookie) which are freshly baked for the season and individually packaged.

The box features a magnetic closure which keeps 24 internal sections secure until their day arrives. Wüfers is based in Canada and strives to use locally sourced, human-grade ingredients that are gentle on a dog's stomach, but these cookies are high in calories so be sure to take your dog out for a stroll. It's also the most expensive one on our list, but Wüfers offer discounts if you bundle the advent calendar with other items on the site.

Price at time of publish: $60

Duration: 24 days | Contents: Treats | Pets: Dogs

Best for Hanukkah Cats and Dogs

Frisco Holiday 8 Days of Hanukkah Cardboard Advent Calendar with Toys for Cats

Chewy Haunakah

Chewy

What We Like
  • Toys encourage human and pet playtime

  • No dietary restrictions

  • Available for cats and dogs, but make sure you select the right one

What We Don't Like
  • Box isn't attractive as a display piece

This year add the pet-friendly tradition of unboxing a new toy to your Hanukkah celebration. For eight nights, your cat and/or dog will receive a special delight with this curated countdown box from Frisco. Each box contains plush toys in the spirits of the season including a dreidel, a menorah, and a gelt (no chocolate included, of course!). While the shapes are similar, the composition of each toy is designed to engage the respective species. For felines, this includes feathers and catnip, and for canines, the toys have an alluring internal squeaker.

Price at time of publish: $25 for cats, $13 for dogs

Duration: 8 days | Contents: Toys | Pets: Dogs and cats

Best for Dogs With Special Diet

Himalayan Pet Supply Best Friend's Advent Calendar 24 Joyful Days

Advent Calendar

Chewy

What We Like
  • No gluten, no lactose, high-protein, low fat, no corn, no wheat, no soy, and only vinegar as a preservative

  • Includes cheese, bacon, chicken, and peanut butter flavors

  • All treats made in the USA

  • Useful treats guide on the back with transparent nutrition and ingredients information

What We Don't Like
  • Generic holiday art

Doggies with sensitive tummies can rejoice as they chomp their way through 24 days of treats made just for them. This illustrated gift box portrays a charming winter village and is filled with edible treats that are all free of gluten, lactose, corn, wheat, and soy. This customer-favorite advent calendar from Himalayan Pet Supply features a variety of bite-sized snacks in their signature collection of flavors: cheese, bacon, chicken, and peanut putter. Each day, you and your dog can paw open a window to pop out the latest delicacy—some of which can help improve a dog's dental health.

Price at time of publish: $19

Duration: 24 days | Contents: Treats | Pets: Dogs

Best for Festive Felines

Fancy Feast Advent Calendar Variety Pack Pate Wet Cat Food

Fancy Feast

Fancy Feast

What We Like
  • Ingredients include whitefish, salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey, pork, and beef

  • 20 3-ounce cans of cat food

  • Elegant packaging fit for a feline

What We Don't Like
  • Cats aren't likely to get as excited for standard wet food cans as they might for snacks

Make your cat the merriest meower of all with the Feastivities Advent Calendar from Fancy Feast. The updated packaging for this season features a removable banner with a snowflake-colored cat that will unveil a cozy illustrated living room vignette. Within the gift box, you and your feline will discover 24 compartments, each with a signature dish from Fancy Feast. Each day you'll surprise and delight your kitty with a flavor-filled moment spotlighting one of the following from Fancy Feast: Classics cat food, Medleys cat food, Gourmet Naturals pate cat food, Gravy Lovers cat food and Savory Cravings treats.

Price at time of publish: $30

Duration: 24 days | Contents: Wet food and treats | Pets: Cats

Best for Dogs Who Crave Jerky

Merry & Bright Deck the Howls with Jerky Dog Treat Advent Calendar

merry--bright-deck-the-howls-with-jerky-dog-treat-advent-calendar

PetSmart

What We Like
  • Chewers include chicken jerky, duck jerky, turkey jerky, and bully sticks

What We Don't Like
  • Some customers reported receiving boxes with empty slots

'Tis the season for dried meats, so we'll stop jerking you around and get into what makes this advent calendar so pawsome. The merry gift box is red and green with sparkly golden snowflakes and an illustrated pug in a Santa suit, but what's hidden within is what will excite your dog. There are 25 individual compartments, just waiting to be pawed open, and housing a variety of meat-flavored treats. Your dog will enjoy the shared unboxing experience and then they'll have a fresh treat to chew on while they wait until it's time to open the next window!

Price at time of publish: $28

Duration: 25 days | Contents: Treats | Pets: Dogs

Best for Small Pets

More and Merrier Small Animal Advent Calendar

Small animals

Petco

What We Like
  • Made for guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, mice, and rats

What We Don't Like
  • Not much variety; mostly small wood chews

For guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, mice, and rats, the days of being overlooked throughout the holiday season are no more! You can now bring your small pet in on the countdown fun with this chipper advent calendar made just for them! While they are all unique beings, these petite creatures have a few things in common, like a fascination with chewers and toys made of wood, wicker, and pumice. And that's exactly what you'll find throughout this merry bundle. Each item is shaped for the holidays—a Candy Cane, Snowflake, Snowman, Mitten, and more— and stored in a dedicated box to build up anticipation and excitement.

Price at time of publish: $17

Duration: 12 days | Contents: Treats | Pets: Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, mice, and rats

Final Verdict

For Christmas kitties and canines, we recommend our overall favorite the Frisco Holiday 12 Day Advent Calendar. There's a version for cats and another for dogs. Each contains 12 pet-specific toys, so you don't have to worry about giving your pal (or your pal's pal) too many calories or upsetting their tummy. Frisco also offers a Hanukkah-themed gift box for cats and dogs. If you share your home with a small pet, we think they'll enjoy being included in the festivities with the More and Merrier Small Animal Advent Calendar full of treats selected just for them!

What to Consider When Selecting an Advent Calendar for Your Pet

Duration

Advent calendars for pets are designed to provide a treat or toy for a set number of days (often 25, 24, 12, or 8) and typically are intended to lead up to a holiday like Christmas or Hanukkah.

Contents

The majority of advent calendars for pets feature a small treat for each day in December, but some also include toys or chewers. You’ll want to look at the contents to see whether the items are an appropriate size for your pet, and it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients to ensure there’s nothing included that your pet is sensitive to. 

Calories

As with anything you give to your pet, you’ll want to look at the calorie content of any edible treats in your advent calendar. Small treats may only be a few calories per piece, but larger items like bully sticks and cookies are sometimes high in calories. If this is the case, you may need to adjust your pet’s food intake accordingly to avoid weight gain.

FAQ
  • What is an advent calendar for pets?

    These fun and festive gift boxes are inspired by the tradition of counting down the days to Christmas. For a set duration of days, usually 12 or 24, a compartment is opened and a pet-specific treat or toy is given to a very lucky pet. All items inside are selected to be safe for the respective animal, but you should always double-check ingredients and monitor your pet while they play.

  • How do you use an advent calendar for pets?

    Advent calendars are numerically ordered. Each box has a number and each day you open one box. You are meant to start with the compartment labeled with the number one and then work towards the highest number. You can technically start at any number, but we don't recommend opening up all the treats at once—it spoils the fun and will most likely lead to an upset stomach.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget Beardot. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, she embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. Mejorada is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.

A previous version of this article was written by Camryn Rabideau. She’s an overenthusiastic dog mom who regularly buys her two Golden Retrievers all sorts of holiday treats, including gifts, accessories, and yes, Advent calendars. While selecting products to include in this list, Rabideau considered the contents of each advent calendar, how many days it spans, and the overall design of the product.

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