We’ve reviewed the best Advent calendars for cats 2025 to get in the festive spirit

Megan's cat Nala sitting in front of one of the best advent calendars for cats, ballballs and christmas crackers
(Image credit: Megan Milstead)

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 2025

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!

Greenies Holiday Chicken Flavor Variety Pack Cat Treats

Greenies Holiday Chicken Flavor Variety Pack Cat Treats

These delicious dental treats help to fight bad breath and reduce tartar buildup on your cat's teeth. With only two calories per treat, they're a good choice for training and have a soft, tasty filling. The packing is super festive and even includes a name tag if you want to gift it to your fur friend.

Our tester Amanda says: "My cat really enjoyed these treats. They were small enough that I could give him several and not feel guilty I was over feeding him. "

Temptations Holiday Variety Pack Adult Cat Treats

Temptations Holiday Variety Pack Adult Cat Treats

Your cats will love these festive, crunchy treats which are filled with a soft meaty center. They'll get four different flavors to try out: chicken, seafood medley, salmon and catnip.

Our tester Amanda says: "My cat loves these treats. As soon as he sees the package, he meows. They are easy to toss to make him 'chase' them. I like that there is a variety of flavors, so he doesn't get bored of 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.

Chilli sniffing treats on Megan's hand from the Rosewood Cupid & Comet Advent Calendar For Cats, Yoghurt & Catnip Flavour Cat Treats

Chilli enjoyed the yoghurt and catnip flavored treats inside the Rosewood Advent Calendar. (Image credit: Megan Milstead/Rosewood)

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.

Nala standing next to the Lily's Kitchen Advent Calendar on a red mesh material and ball balls, one of the best advent calendars for cats

(Image credit: Megan Milstead)

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.

Tabby cat sitting next to a pile of advent calendar envelopes in a basket and a Christmas tree

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Angelina Ishmukhametova)

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.

Curated by
Megan Milstead smiling
Curated by
Megan Milstead

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.

Expert medical advice from
Dr. Rebecca MacMillan
Expert medical advice from
Dr. Rebecca MacMillanBVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS

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!

Megan Milstead
Staff Writer

Megan is a Staff Writer at PetsRadar, covering features, reviews, deals, and buying guides. She has a wealth of experience caring for animals, having grown up with dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, and more throughout her life. She studied BA Journalism at the University of Westminster, where she specialized in lifestyle journalism and was editor of Smoke Radio’s lifestyle website. Megan works alongside qualified vets and accredited trainers to ensure you get the best advice possible. She is passionate about finding accurate and helpful answers to your pet-related questions.

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