Dog and Cat Advent Calendars: Treats, Toys and What to Check

A good dog or cat advent calendar has treats your pet already tolerates, chews sized so they cannot be swallowed whole, and toys without loose string or small parts. Read the ingredient list before buying: the ASPCA warns against chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic for pets. Store the calendar out of reach between doors.

Five checks before you buy

Pet calendars look alike on the shelf. These checks separate the ones worth giving.

1. Read every ingredient. Some pet treats borrow human holiday flavors. Make sure none of the harmful foods in the table below appear, and that nothing conflicts with your pet’s diet or allergies.
2. Match the chew to the pet. The ASPCA says to “choose a product size consistent with their pet’s size and chewing habits,” and warns that small chews “may also be swallowed whole, resulting in choking or blockage.”
3. Look at the toys, not just the treats. Toys with string, ribbon or small attached parts need a closer look for cats and for dogs that shred.
4. Check the pet type and age. Dog and cat calendars are different products. Some treat calendars are aimed at adult dogs or cats only.
5. Plan where it will live. A cardboard calendar holding meat treats is an easy target. Keep it high up or in a closed cupboard.

Foods that should never be in a pet calendar

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists these among the people foods to keep away from pets. They matter most for homemade calendars and for human-style treat calendars left within reach.

The FDA adds that xylitol symptoms can start in as little as 20 minutes, beginning with vomiting and followed by signs of low blood sugar. If your pet eats something on this list, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line right away.

Dog advent calendars

Dog calendars fall into three groups: all treats, all toys, and a mix.

Treat calendars hold one chew or biscuit per day. TODAY’s 2026 list includes the DreamBone Holiday Advent Calendar, with daily chews made with meat and vegetables. The FDA notes that treats “are most digestible when chewed into small pieces,” and that an unchewed treat can lodge in the windpipe or digestive tract. So pick a size your dog chews rather than gulps.

Mixed toy and treat calendars are popular with dog owners. The BARK Winter Wooferland calendar, sold at Costco, holds 16 treats and 8 plush toys across 24 days. Costco’s listing says the treats use ingredients including applesauce, honey and peanuts, and the toys include squeakers, crinkle and T-shirt rope. That peanut note matters if your dog has a food allergy.

For heavy chewers, remember the ASPCA’s advice that rubber and hard plastic toys “should not fragment into smaller pieces,” and that owners should watch their dog while chewing. Plush toys with squeakers are best handed over during supervised play and taken away once they start to tear.

Cat advent calendars

Cat calendars are usually smaller, with a treat or a small toy behind each door. Many mix the two.

The biggest risk for cats is string. The FDA’s holiday guidance warns that tinsel, string and ribbon can tangle in a pet’s stomach or intestines, and notes that cats find them irresistible because they look like “easy-to-catch, sparkly, and wiggly prey.” The ASPCA adds that swallowed tinsel can cause severe vomiting and an obstructed digestive tract that may need surgery.

So for a cat calendar:

• Prefer toys without dangling string, or put wand toys away after each play session.
• Watch for bells or beads that could come loose.
• Choose treats made for cats, and count them as part of the day’s food.

How to open a pet calendar safely each day

A little routine keeps December fun rather than a trip to the vet.

Open the door yourself, not in front of an excited dog pawing at the box. Hand over the treat, or play with the toy together, then put the calendar back up high. Gather up any wrapping. The ASPCA also asks owners to keep ornaments, wires and batteries out of paws’ reach during the holidays, and the calendar belongs on that list.

If you have more than one pet, check that the calendar has enough treats to share, or buy one each.

Make your own pet calendar

A refillable calendar lets you use treats your pet already eats without trouble. It also avoids surprise ingredients. Fill each pocket or drawer with a single treat or a small toy suited to your pet’s size. Our reusable advent calendars guide compares wooden and fabric styles, and our advent calendar filler ideas include small gifts for every kind of recipient.

Buying a pet calendar on eBay

eBay listings are handy when a calendar sells out, but food for pets deserves extra care.

• Buy treat calendars new, sealed and for the current season. Last year’s calendar may be near or past its date.
• Read the full ingredient list in the photos or ask the seller to share it.
• Check seller feedback for comments on packaging and damage in transit.

For people on your list too, see our advent calendars for adults, advent calendars for kids, and the full best advent calendars of 2026 hub.