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The best dog advent calendars give your dog one small, safe treat a day in the run-up to Christmas without blowing up their diet. For most dogs, a 12-day treat calendar from a familiar brand is the easiest choice. Small dogs do best with small chews, heavy chewers enjoy chew-style calendars, and dogs on special diets are better off with a refillable calendar you fill yourself. Below are six good options, a quick comparison table, and simple rules for using a dog advent calendar safely.
Dog Advent Calendars at a Glance
| Calendar | Days | What’s Inside | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk-Bone 12 Days of Woofmas | 12 | Crunchy biscuits | Budget, first-timers |
| SmartBones Holiday Advent | 24 | Small rawhide-free chews | Small dogs |
| Himalayan Dog Chew 24 Joyful Days | 24 | Cheese chews and treats | Dogs who like to chew |
| Wufers Cookie Box | 24 | Decorated dog cookies | Giving as a gift |
| Bocce’s Bakery Advent | 12 | Simple biscuits | Label readers |
| Refillable calendar | You choose | Your own treats | Special diets, picky dogs |
How to Choose a Dog Advent Calendar
- Match treat size to your dog. Tiny biscuits disappear in one gulp for a large dog, while big chews can be too much for a toy breed.
- Think about calories. A common rule of thumb is to keep treats to about 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories. A 12-day calendar adds less than a 24-day one.
- Read the ingredients. If your dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach, check every calendar’s label or choose a refillable one.
- Check the start date. Most 24-day calendars start on December 1. A 12-day calendar can start on December 13 or cover the 12 days of Christmas.
- Buy early. Pet advent calendars are seasonal and popular ones can sell out by early December.
Advent calendar lineups change every year, so the exact contents and flavors may differ from what is described below. The buttons search Amazon for the current version.
1. Milk-Bone 12 Days of Woofmas — Best Budget Pick
Milk-Bone’s holiday countdown is a simple 12-day calendar filled with crunchy Milk-Bone biscuits in festive flavors such as beef and peanut butter. It is a familiar brand, it is widely sold during the holiday season, and 12 days means fewer extra treats than a full 24-day calendar.
- 12 days instead of 24
- Crunchy biscuits most dogs already know
- Small box, easy to store
- Good first advent calendar
Worth knowing: Biscuit sizes suit small and medium dogs best. Big dogs may finish a treat in one crunch.
2. SmartBones Holiday Advent Calendar — Best for Small Dogs
SmartBones makes a 24-count holiday calendar with small rawhide-free chews made with real chicken. The small size makes it a sensible choice for little dogs and for owners who want to avoid rawhide.
- 24 days of chews
- Rawhide-free
- Made with real chicken
- Small pieces suit little dogs
Worth knowing: Supervise chewing and pick a different calendar for large dogs who gulp small chews.
3. Himalayan Dog Chew 24 Joyful Days — Best for Chewers
Himalayan Dog Chew is known for its hard cheese chews, and its 24-day calendar includes a mix of its treats and chews. It is a good fit for dogs who like to work on something rather than eat it in one bite.
- 24 days
- Includes cheese-based chews
- Longer-lasting than biscuits
- Suits many breeds
Worth knowing: Hard chews are not ideal for puppies or dogs with dental problems. Check the box for size guidance.
4. Wufers Advent Calendar Dog Cookie Box — Best Gift-Worthy Calendar
Wufers bakes hand-decorated dog cookies, and its 24-day advent box looks good enough to give as a present. Each window hides a small frosted cookie. It is a nice choice when the calendar is a gift from you to a friend’s dog.
- 24 hand-decorated cookies
- Attractive gift packaging
- Small, soft-crunch treats
- Fun to open each morning
Worth knowing: Frosted cookies add calories. Trim your dog’s regular meals slightly in December.
5. Bocce’s Bakery Advent Calendar — Best Limited-Ingredient Option
Bocce’s Bakery makes simple dog biscuits with short ingredient lists in the USA, and its holiday advent calendar is a 12-day box of biscuits and treats. It suits owners who like to read labels and keep things simple.
- Short ingredient lists
- 12 days
- Made in the USA
- Holiday packaging
Worth knowing: Contents and flavors change from year to year. Read the current ingredient list if your dog has food sensitivities.
6. Refillable Wooden or Fabric Advent Calendar — Best for Picky or Sensitive Dogs
A refillable calendar with drawers or pockets lets you choose exactly what goes inside. That makes it the best option for dogs on special diets, dogs with allergies, or dogs who only eat one kind of treat. You can reuse it every year.
- You control every treat
- Works with prescription or allergy diets
- Reusable every year
- Can hold small toys too
Worth knowing: Fill pockets with treats your dog already eats safely, and keep the calendar where your dog cannot reach it.
How to Use a Dog Advent Calendar Safely
- Store the calendar out of reach. Dogs can smell the treats through cardboard and may eat the whole box, packaging and all.
- Open one window a day and give the treat by hand, so you can see how your dog handles it.
- Cut back slightly on regular meals or other treats while the calendar is running.
- Introduce new treats slowly. If your dog gets an upset stomach, stop and switch to treats it already eats.
- Throw away the empty box. Cardboard and plastic trays are not toys.
If your dog is on a prescription diet or has a medical condition, ask your vet which treats are safe before you buy.
DIY Dog Advent Calendar Ideas
You do not need a store-bought calendar. A refillable calendar or 24 small paper bags pegged to a string works just as well. Fill each one with a piece of your dog’s usual kibble, a broken-up training treat, a few minutes of a favorite game, or a new trick to learn. Mixing in activities instead of food keeps the countdown fun without extra calories.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are dog advent calendars safe?
Yes, when you store them out of reach, give one treat a day by hand, and choose treats that suit your dog’s size and diet. Ask your vet first if your dog has a health condition.
When should I start a dog advent calendar?
Most 24-day calendars start on December 1 and finish on Christmas Eve. A 12-day calendar can start on December 13 or run during the 12 days of Christmas.
Can puppies have an advent calendar?
Puppies can enjoy a refillable calendar filled with their usual puppy food or puppy-safe treats. Avoid hard chews and rich treats while their stomachs and teeth are still developing.
When do dog advent calendars come out?
They usually appear in stores and online from October into November. Popular ones can be harder to find closer to December, so it helps to shop a few weeks early.
Advent calendar contents change each season. Check the current listing for ingredients and sizes, and talk to your vet about treats if your dog has a special diet.