Best Dog Advent Calendars for 2024: Tested by GHI Pets
As the festive season approaches, many pet owners are looking for ways to include their furry friends in the holiday cheer. One delightful way to do this is through dog advent calendars. These calendars not only provide daily treats but also build excitement as the countdown to Christmas begins. In this article, we explore the best dog advent calendars for 2024, tested and approved by our expert panel at the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) Pets.
What is the Most Luxurious Dog Advent Calendar?
If you’re looking to splurge on your pup this holiday season, the Fortnum’s Dog Advent Calendar (£120) is a standout choice. This traditional wooden design comes unfilled, allowing you to customize it with your dog’s favorite treats year after year. For those who prefer a filled option, Bonne et Filou’s Dog Treat Advent Calendar (£75) offers a luxurious selection of 24 handmade treats, including truffles, dog bones, and peanut butter macarons, all made from locally-sourced ingredients.
How We Chose the Best Dog Advent Calendars
Our selection process was straightforward: we enlisted the help of our pet panel, which includes Monty, Marlowe, and Bear. Each dog enjoyed a daily treat from various calendars, while their owners provided feedback on their pets’ enthusiasm and the overall quality of the packaging. Here are the top picks that our expert panel enjoyed.
Good All-Rounder: Lily’s Kitchen Christmas Dog Advent Calendar
Price: £12
Pros: Natural, tasty treats; three small treats each day for sharing
Cons: Treats are quite small
Lily’s Kitchen calendars are highly sought after, so it’s wise to order early. Each day, your pup can enjoy a selection of natural treats, including turkey bites with cranberries and chicken bites with quinoa. Monty, a cocker spaniel, eagerly awaits his daily snack from this calendar, although he wished for a larger treat on December 24.
Good Interactive Dog Advent Calendar: Denzel’s Christmas Calendar
Price: £12
Pros: Interactive dipping game; biodegradable treat bags
Cons: Not a traditional calendar
Denzel’s calendar features a fun ice rink where your dog can "dip" for treats. Bear, a six-month-old puppy, loved the game and the all-natural snacks inside, especially the Salmon & Banana bites. The recyclable cardboard and biodegradable treat bags were a hit with Bear’s owner as well.
Good for Surprises: Pets at Home Christmas All Kinds of Treats Advent Calendar for Dogs
Price: £30
Pros: Contains toys and treats; includes vouchers for Pets at Home
Cons: Large size makes storage tricky; contains rawhide chews
This large calendar combines edible treats with toys and vouchers, keeping things exciting for your pup. Monty loved the plush coffee cup toy and the pigs in blankets treats. However, the rawhide chews were not suitable for him due to his enthusiastic chewing.
Good for Cheese Lovers: Pooch & Mutt Cheese Fondue Dog Advent Calendar 2024
Price: £10
Pros: Contains cheddar, collagen, protein, and probiotics; soft treats
Cons: Treats are quite small
For cheese-loving pups, this calendar offers soft, grain-free treats flavored with cheddar and other nutritious ingredients. While the treats are small, some windows contain two, providing a festive surprise.
Good DIY Dog Advent Calendar: Bella Personalised Gifts Personalised Dog Treats Advent Calendar
Price: £27
Pros: Reusable; customizable with your own treats
Cons: Long design may be accessible to dogs
This felt calendar can be personalized with your dog’s name and filled with their favorite treats. While it may be challenging to keep out of reach, the tight pockets ensure that your pup can’t access the treats without your help.
Good for Large Biscuit Treats: Pointer Dog Advent Calendar
Price: £11
Pros: Natural biscuits; good for dental health
Cons: Best suited for larger dogs
Filled with 24 carob and cheese-flavored biscuits, this calendar is perfect for larger dogs or can be broken up for smaller ones. The oven-baked biscuits are free from artificial flavors, making them a healthy choice.
Good for Cleaning Teeth: Pooch & Mutt Luxury Dental Stick Advent Calendar
Price: £20
Pros: Promotes dental health; various flavors
Cons: More expensive than some options
This calendar offers a dental stick a day, with flavors like Cheese Fondue and Peanut Butter. Individually wrapped, these treats help maintain your dog’s dental hygiene while providing a tasty reward.
Conclusion
With so many delightful options available, there’s a dog advent calendar to suit every pup’s taste and your budget. Whether you choose a luxurious filled calendar or a DIY option, these calendars are sure to bring joy to your furry friend this holiday season. Don’t forget to order early to ensure your dog doesn’t miss out on their daily festive treat!
Alison, head of content for the Good Housekeeping Institute, has extensive experience in lifestyle editing and product reviews. When she’s not testing products, she enjoys spending time with her cocker spaniel, Monty.