If you want to include your feline in the festive fun, you could buy them one of the best Advent calendars for cats. One of the many joys of the Christmas build up is opening the little windows each morning, and sharing this moment with your pets can make the season even more exciting.
Instead of chocolate, these calendars contain things like the best cat treats or best cat toys that your feline can look forward to every day throughout December. You can also buy calendars with pictures or jokes inside, but understandably, these might not be as fun for your cat!
Below, we've rounded up the best Advent calendars for cats based on the quality of the contents, value for money, and how much our cats enjoyed them. We've included a range of options to choose from, including refillable drawers, classic calendars, and Christmas-themed selection boxes. We've also asked a vet whether it's safe to feed your cats treats from their calendar daily.
The best Advent calendar for cats 2024
The best Advent calendar for cats overall
Behind each window, your cat will find five tasty treats in a variety of flavors (salmon, turkey, and chicken). They got a paws up from my cats Chilli and Nala, who wolfed them down in about 10 seconds and couldn't get them out the window fast enough!
As well as being delicious, the treats are high in protein and contain brilliant ingredients, such as salmon oil (which promotes a healthy heart) and taurine (an essential amino acid). I love how the recipe doesn't contain any nasty fillers or additives, so I can feed them to my cats with confidence.
The packaging feels sturdy and high-quality, with the design adding a subtle festive touch to my home without looking too garish. It's a little bit tricky to get the treats out of the plastic window, but this reassures me that my cats can't get to them without my supervision.
Reasons to buy: Cat-approved, contains high-protein treats, nice design.
Reasons to avoid: Treats have a slight smell.
The best Advent calendar for cats runner-up
This Advent calendar has 24 windows which are filled with high-quality cat treats. Scrumbles is one of my favorite pet brands that I can always count on to have good ingredients, and this festive offering is no exception.
The calendar includes three popular treats: Chillz Cat Calming Treats, Chicken Krunchies, and Chicken Niblets. These follow a hypoallergenic recipe and are free from gluten, added sugar and salt, and artificial additives, which is always nice to see. They're high in protein, made from real meat, and contain slippery elm to support digestive health.
The design is super cute and features Santa's sleigh being flewn by five festive felines.
Reasons to buy: Suitable for kittens, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, good ingredients.
Reasons to avoid: Might not be the best option for fussy cats (according to reviews).
The best toy advent calendar for cats
If your cat is on a diet or isn't food-motivated, this Advent calendar is a great alternative and contains 12 Christmas-themed toys. Inside, you'll find things such as balls, catnip pillows, springs, and feathers – all hand-made by the independent seller.
It might not be the cheapest calendar, but since you're getting 12 toys (working out at $3.50 each), we think it's great value for money.
This product is currently being tested by Julie and her cats; we'll add her verdict soon!
Reasons to buy: Hand-made by a small business, good for cats on a diet, free shipping.
Reasons to avoid: A little more expensive.
The best refillable Advent calendar for cats
If you've got a fussy cat, we recommend this refillable calendar that you can customize with their favorite toys and treats. The festive design is perfect for cat lovers and each drawer measures 1.97x1.97x1.97 inches, giving you plenty of room to work with.
The best part? You can reuse it every year which makes it cheaper and eco-friendlier in the long run. You could also fill it with human treats for your cat crazy family members, making it super versatile.
Whilst it doesn't include any treats or toys, we love how you can make it your own and add a personal touch to your cat's calendar. If you're stuck for ideas, we've shared some festive treat ideas below that you could put inside the drawers.
Reasons to buy: Re-usable, fun design, versatile.
Reasons to avoid: Doesn't include any treats or toys.
The best budget Advent calendar for cats
This affordable cat calendar is filled with delicious meaty treats for your feline to enjoy. There are four flavors inside (duck, chicken, salmon and chicken/cheese), so they can look forward to something different each day.
The treats are high in protein, low in fat and are made using real meat for better flavor. Christmas is an expensive time of the year, but this is a great budget-friendly option.
Nala and Chilli are currently testing this calendar out and will add their expert opinion very soon!
Reasons to buy: Affordable, high in protein, variety of flavors.
Reasons to avoid: Some reviewers say the treats are a bit too hard.
Photos from testing
Other products to consider
If none of these calendars take your fancy, you could try a festive selection box like the ones we've tested below. Whether you put them under the tree or in a refillable calendar, your cat will thank you for them!
Rosewood also offers a standard cat calendar in the UK, which is even more affordable than their luxury version above, costing less than £4. Inside, you'll find 24 catnip and yoghurt flavored treats which are big enough to be broken into four pieces. Chilli really enjoyed the taste of them and kept sniffing the calendar to get his paws on more. However, when you open the doors, the treats can sometimes fall down into the other windows, making it difficult to get them out. I also prefer the ingredients in the other calendars, which is why it didn't make the top five.
How we tested the best Advent calendars for cats
As a cat mom of two, I know first-hand how rubbish (and overpriced) some cat Advent calendars can be. That's why I spent hours researching different options on the market, sieving out ones with bad ingredients and throwaway toys your cat won't use.
After selecting my favorites, the PetsRadar testing team gave them to their cats to try out. Here's what we looked out for:
Value for money: We ensured that the calendars were worth the money based on the quality of the contents, and whether we'd want to pay the price tag.
Cat approval: We reported back on whether our cats actually liked the contents because, at the end of the day, that's all that matters.
Design: We ensured the calendars would sit proud in your home.
Here's more information on how we test.
How to choose the best Advent calendar for cats
Toys vs treats
Advent calendars are typically stuffed with treats or packed with toys. So before you buy, simply choose what you think is best for your cat.
If they are on a diet or have allergies, then it's a good idea to avoid treat- or snack-based calendars. The alternative is to find a calendar that has a host of toys that will keep your cat entertained and give them plenty of exercise. A lot of plush toys are stuffed with catnip, which a lot of cats love. But it is worth noting that kittens don't typically react to catnip until they reach around six months old.
Consider dietary requirements
What's in the treat? If you want to treat your cat with some tasty snacks over the holidays, it's important that you check the ingredients list. Ask yourself the following questions before you buy: Does it contain natural ingredients? Does it contain artificial preservatives and colors? Does it contain real meat and vegetables? Is the treat grain-free? Is it by-product-free? Is it a flavor your feline friend will love? If you are happy with your answers, then it's time to buy.
Classic vs custom
The classic Advent calendar is a simple cardboard design with 24 windows that start the countdown to Christmas. If you are happy with this, it's simply a matter of picking one with a design you like and toys or treats your cat will love.
If you want to create a custom calendar, look at getting one that is empty, just waiting for you to fill with your cat’s favorite treats.
Are Advent calendars for cats safe?
If you're wondering if cat Advent calendars are safe, expert vet Dr. MacMillan has the answer...
She says: "Cat Advent calendars are safe as they have been produced by pet food manufacturers to contain cat-friendly ingredients. They will therefore not contain anything toxic, but if your pet has any diagnosed food allergies you should always check the ingredients list carefully first.
"Some cats with sensitive stomachs or health complaints like inflammatory bowel disease could develop vomiting or diarrhea when fed something outside of their normal diet, so you should tread carefully with these individuals too.
"If you want to treat your cat to an Advent calendar, then it is always much better to use a cat specific one than to share your one with them. Chocolate (especially dark chocolate) can be dangerous to cats so this should be avoided."
Is it ok to feed my cats treats everyday from their Advent calendar?
Advent calendar treats are pretty small, which means it shouldn't cause any problems for your cat. However, to ensure they don't put on any unwanted weight, Dr. MacMillan says you could cut down on their regular treats or food. It's worth remembering that treats shouldn't take up more than five to 10% of their daily calorie intake.
She adds: "Always speak to your vet first if your cat has a health complaint like kidney disease or diabetes."
If you live in a multi-pet household, you might want to check out the best dog Advent calendars, too. Wondering, 'Should I get a kitten for Christmas?' This vet nurse's guide can help you make the right decision.
Megan is Staff Writer on PetsRadar and has two cats called Chilli and Nala. As a Christmas fan and pet lover, she had lots of fun putting this guide together and testing the products out on her cats. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in Journalism.
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation). She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
