Are you the type of person who thinks throwing your pet a birthday party is a fantastic idea? Then join the club. This is a safe place for all pet lovers to gather and coo over the many options available to treat their pets - especially when the festive season arrives.
As part of the family, it's only right to give them the same treatment you'd give a child. Spoil them with love, give them snoot boops, marvel at their toe beans and, of course, give them a delightful Christmas-themed treat each day from December 1st. Right? Right.
Closer's best pet advent calendars at a glance:
Best dog advent calendar: Scrumbles Dog Advent Calendar, 8 on Pets at Home
Best cat advent calendar: Scrumbles Cat Advent Calendar, 8 on Scrumbles
Best small animals advent calendar: Christmas Natural Treat Small Animal Advent Calendar, 5 on Pets at Home
So, low and behold, it's true. You can treat your pet to an advent calendar for them to eat. No, they're not made out of chocolate (which is toxic to many pets), but they're made out of delicious meaty treats or toys to enjoy.
To save you the effort of trawling the internet to find the best pet advent calendar for your beloved companion, we've compiled our top picks for you. Read on for the dog, cat and small animal advent calendars, to help you find your favourite.
SHOP: The best dog advent calendars UK 2023
Scrumbles Dog Advent Calendar
Editor's Choice
scrumbles.co.uk
Scrumbles' Dog Advent Calendar contains a mix of three treats, a mini version of 'Scrumbles' Gnashers Dog Dental Bones', 'Nibbles Calming Dog Treats.' and Chicken Nibbles. The crunchy mini Dental Bones contain an active ingredient proven to reduce plaque build-up, as well as being naturally vegan to reduce their carbon footprint. The turkey Nibbles are baked with chamomile and lemon balm to help keep your pooch nice and relaxed, even around Christmas.
Customer review: "Amazing - bought one for my puppy and one for my parent's dog for Christmas. Lovely looking calendar and surprisingly really big for the price - well worth the purchase!"
Pets at Home Christmas Advent Calendar For Dogs
Best affordable dog advent calendar
www.petsathome.com
For only 2.50, this Pets at Home Christmas Advent Calendar For Dogs is super affordable and filled with dog-friendly chocolate alternatives made out of carob. The treats behind each door are snappable into smaller pieces, to spread throughout the day if you wish.
Customer review: "We have had these calendars from Pets at Home in the past and my dogs loved them. Last year though, for whatever reason, I didn't get to Pets at home...My son picked up his calendar to open his window and Willow started bounding about and got all excited...she recognised the advent calendar and started looking around for hers. Honestly, I felt so bad.. she kept tapping her paws and looking up at the calendar...when she realised she wasn't getting anything she was so sad. I had to deal with that EVERY DAY through Advent. So when I saw the calendars were out, I grabbed one early...there's no way am I having sad-faced Willow through Advent again!
Pets at Home Christmas A Meaty Dog Treat Advent Calendar
Best meaty dog advent calendar
www.petsathome.com
Indulge your dog in this Pets at Home Christmas A Meaty Dog Treat Advent Calendar, filled with different-shaped dog treats to make it an extra special Christmas. No added artificial flavours, colours or preservatives to worry about, either.
Lily's Kitchen Advent Calendar for Dogs
Best organic dog advent calendar
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Made up of a selection of organic treats, this Lily's Kitchen Advent Calendar for Dogs has your pup's daily routine covered with biscuits for waking up, walkies and bedtime too. With 'Chicken and BeefTraining Treats' to help keep your dog's attention, 'Turkey Bites with Cranberries' to nourish your furry friend's coat, and 'Chicken & Quinoa Bites' to keep them distracted while you enjoy your dinner.
Customer review: "Our staffy loves these treats! She's so excited when we get them ready. Typical staffy salivating and shaking with the excitement. Best countdown to Christmas she can have!"
Good Boy Pawsley Dog Advent Calendar
Best Amazon dog advent calendar
Made with dog-safe chocolate (concocted with peanut butter), the Good Boy Pawsley Dog Advent Calendar is an easy purchase if you're already shopping on Amazon early doors for Christmas goodies.
Customer review: "I loved this. My dog loved it. She loved it so much that when she so that I got it out she would run and jump up at me. It is very good in price and is made out of peanut butter, (all dog-friendly) and dairy-free milk chocolate."
Wainwright's Christmas Advent Calendar For Dogs
Best dog advent calendar for sensitive stomachs
www.petsathome.com
With treats made of single-source protein, and with no artificial colours or flavours - the Wainwright's Christmas Advent Calendar For Dogs is ideal for those doggies with sensitive tummies. The added cranberries are a natural source of vitamin C for your pooch.
Etsy Doggy Advent Calendar
Best refillable dog advent calendar
www.etsy.com
You'll be thrilled to know that this Doggy Advent Calendar is both refillable and has the option to be personalised, so it can be used every year!(Note, dog biscuits not provided - the Pets at Home Bone Shaped Biscuit Dog Treats work perfectly)
Customer review: "Item is as pictured and delivery was fast. Bought as a gift!"
The Snowman and The Snowdog Crunchie Advent Calendar for Dogs
Best chicken protein dog advent calendar
www.jollyes.co.uk
Do you love the story of the Snowman? Well now, your pooch can be part of the festive story with this The Snowman and The Snowdog Crunchie Advent Calendar for Dogs. These special Christmas treats contain 30% chicken breast, which is rich in protein content that plays a great role in regulating and maintaining various functions in the body.
Customer review: "The product is a good way to include your pets In Christmas and it can help train them."
SHOP: The best cat advent calendars UK 2023
Scrumbles Cat Advent Calendar
Editor's Choice
scrumbles.co.uk
This Scrumbles Cat Advent Calendar contains a mix of three treats - 'Scrumbles Chicken Nibbles', 'Gnashers Dental Bite' and 'Chillz Calming Cat Treats'. The dental bites are crunchy and contain an active ingredient to help reduce plaque build-up, so your cat will love the taste and you'll love the results.
Customer review: "A very nice advent calendar for cats. Plenty of treats each day and a bit of a mix. Some get eaten more quickly than others. Great to give the cats a treat every morning. They comerunning when they see me opening the doors."
Lily's Kitchen Cat Advent Calendar
Best organic cat advent calendar
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Cats deserve the finest quality advent calendars too, so treat them with this Lily's Kitchen Cat Advent Calendar. With 'Festive Salmon Nibbles' and 'Cracking Chicken Nibbles,' they'll be clawing at it to get it open.
Customer review: "An annual treat for my younger daughter's cat. He remembers every year and queues up each Advent morning for his treat."
Etsy Cat Advent Calendar
Best refillable cat advent calendar
www.etsy.com
If you're looking for a fill-your-own calendar for your cats, this Cat Advent Calendar one will do just the trick. There's also an option to personalise it as an extra special touch. Fill it up with your feline's favourite nibbles and you'll have them purring all through December.
Customer review: "So cute and really easy to use!"
Etsy Cats Personalised Advent Calendar
Best personalised cat advent calendar
www.etsy.com
This is just the cutest cat advent calendar ever! With a personal touch, this fill-your-own handmade Cats Personalised Advent Calendar can be reused over and over again. It'll make the purrrfect gift.
Customer review: "I got this for my daughter and she LOVES it! Thank you!"
Pets at Home Christmas Cat Advent Calendar
Best catnip cat advent calendar
www.petsathome.com
Catnip is something that no cat can resist, and your kitty can enjoy a catnip-flavoured treat every day of December with this Pets at Home Christmas Cat Advent Calendar. Just 2.50 means it's an absolute bargain.
SHOP: The best small animal calendars UK 2023
Pets at Home Christmas Natural Treat Small Animal Advent Calendar
Editor's Choice
www.petsathome.com
Want your pocket-sized pet to join in with the festive fun too? No need to leave them out, this Pets at Home Christmas Natural Treat Small Animal Advent Calendar has them covered. A carrot, parsley or beetroot treat will put some pep in their step and have them bouncing through the holiday season.
Suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.Only feed sparingly to chinchillas and degus. Not suitable for ferrets or any animal other than those stated.
Etsy Bunny Rabbit Advent Calendar
Best refillable small animals advent calendar
www.etsy.com
This fill-your-own Bunny Rabbit Advent Calendar is a great gift for your bunnies. With an option to personalise, you can make your fur babies' Christmas by giving them their favourite treat every day in December.
Customer review: "Had an issue with delivery due to my post office, the seller replied so quickly and offered to send another one out as soon as she could so have 0 complaints as is absolutely perfect! Matches my personalised advent and can’t wait to put it up."
Etsy Small Pet Treat Calendar
Best handmade small animals advent calendar
www.etsy.com
Get your bunnies, guinea pigs or hamsters ready for Christmas by placing your order for this Small Pet Treat Calendar that they'll absolutely love.These will be filled with Christmas treats made by the willowswishcreations team, and are mixed with a range of oat and hay treats.
Customer review: "Fabulous product, Walnut (bunny) approved of these - one of his favourites."
While these calendars are suitable for most pets, please remember to read all ingredients before giving them to your furry friends in case of any allergies or intolerances.
Want personalised gift recommendations for your pet?
If you love to shop for your pet (and who doesn't?), Amazon's Pet Profile service makes it even easier for you to get the goodies in. Just enter your pet's details and receive coupons, deals and personalised recommendations for your pet.
Are you a Prime member?
Have you signed up for Amazon Prime yet? You can sign up today for a free 30-day trial and find out what all the fuss is about. You get free next-day delivery on thousands of items. Plus so much more – Prime Video, Prime Reading, and Amazon Family.
Jade Moscropis the Commercial Content Editor for Closer, specialising in lifestyle topics. When she’s not writing about affordable homeware, beauty products and gym leggings, she can usually be found a hot girl walk, buying houseplants or listening to female-fronted rock bands.