Every year around late October I start seeing them appear on the shelves, and every year I cave: a dog advent calendar. There’s something genuinely lovely about my two waiting by the cupboard each morning in December, knowing a little treat is coming. It’s become one of our small daily rituals in the run-up to Christmas, and honestly it’s as much for me as it is for them.
If you’re thinking of getting one this year, my advice is to buy early — the good ones sell out well before December, and I’ve been caught out before scrambling for whatever was left. Below are the five I’d actually put my money on, chosen for the quality of the treats inside rather than just the picture on the box.
My top pick is the Pooch & Mutt Christmas Advent Calendar. It hits the sweet spot for me — a well-known British brand, genuinely tasty meaty treats behind each window, sensibly sized portions and a price that doesn’t feel like a splurge. It’s the one I keep coming back to.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Pooch & Mutt Christmas Advent Calendar — meaty treats, trusted brand, brilliant all-rounder.
- Best premium: Denzel’s Jumbo Advent Calendar — all-natural, generous portions, a real treat.
- Best budget: Good Boy Advent Calendar — the classic, cheap and cheerful and rawhide-free.
- Best for sensitive tummies: Scrumbles Advent Calendar — grain-free and gentle on the gut.
- Best low-fat: SKIPPER’s Advent Calendar — light, fishy treats for waistline-watchers.
The 5 Best Dog Advent Calendars
1. Pooch & Mutt Christmas Advent Calendar — Best Overall
Pooch & Mutt is one of those British brands I’ve trusted for years, so it’s no surprise their advent calendar is the one I recommend first. Behind each of the 24 windows you get a proper little meaty treat — the same grain-free, natural recipe they’re known for — rather than the dusty biscuits some calendars fob you off with. My dogs go noticeably more mad for these than the cheaper ones.
What I like is that the portions are genuinely bite-sized, so even a small dog isn’t getting a huge sugar-and-fat hit each morning. The treats are single windows a day, low in nasties, and the recipe is the kind of thing I’d happily feed year-round anyway. It feels like a treat calendar made by people who actually care what’s in it.
If you want one calendar that does everything well without overthinking it, this is my pick. It’s mid-priced, widely loved by UK owners, and it’s the one I buy myself most years. The only mild grumble is that popular sizing means it can sell out early, so grab it while it’s about.
Pros
- Trusted British brand with a great reputation
- Genuinely meaty, grain-free treats behind every window
- Sensible bite-sized portions
- Natural recipe with no nasty fillers
Cons
- Popular, so it tends to sell out before December
2. Denzel’s Jumbo Christmas Advent Calendar — Best Premium
If you want to properly spoil your dog, Denzel’s is where I’d spend a bit more. It’s the “jumbo” one, and it earns the name — the treats behind each door are bigger and more generous than most calendars, which makes it a lovely choice for a larger dog who’d barely notice a tiny biscuit. Everything inside is all-natural, and you can tell Denzel’s have thought about the recipe rather than just the packaging.
I’ve given this one as a gift to friends with dogs and it always goes down brilliantly — it feels like a present rather than a stocking filler. The variety of treats across the 24 days keeps it interesting, and the quality is a clear step up from the supermarket options. It’s the highest-rated calendar on my list, and deservedly so.
The obvious downside is the price — it’s the most expensive here — and for a small dog the jumbo portions might be more than they need in one go (I’d break them in half). But if you’re happy to pay for the best and your dog is a decent size, this is a genuinely special one.
Pros
- Generous, jumbo-sized natural treats
- All-natural recipes with real variety
- Highest-rated calendar on this list
- Feels like a proper gift
Cons
- Priciest option — and portions are large for tiny dogs
3. Good Boy Christmas Advent Calendar — Best Budget
Good Boy is the calendar most of us grew up buying for the family dog, and it’s still the one I’d point you to if you want to keep things cheap and simple. It’s the most affordable option here by a decent margin, and for a lot of households that matters — especially if you’ve got more than one dog to buy for.
The treats inside are the classic little Good Boy biscuits, and importantly they’re rawhide-free, which is something I always check for now. They’re not the fanciest treats on this list, but they’re perfectly good, my dogs happily hoover them up, and there’s a certain nostalgia to it that I quite enjoy each December.
Manage your expectations on quality — these are basic treats rather than gourmet ones, and the recipe isn’t as clean as the natural brands above. But if you just want an affordable bit of festive fun that won’t break the bank, this does exactly that and has done for years.
Pros
- Cheapest option — great for multi-dog homes
- Rawhide-free treats
- Familiar, reliable brand
- Fun festive value
Cons
- Basic treats — not as natural as the pricier calendars
4. Scrumbles Advent Calendar — Best for Sensitive Tummies
If your dog has a delicate stomach — and one of mine really does — a festive treat blitz can end badly. That’s exactly why I like Scrumbles. Their whole thing is gut-friendly, gentle food, and the advent calendar carries that through with grain-free, natural treats that are far less likely to upset a sensitive dog than the sugary alternatives.
The recipes are kept simple and wholesome, which I really appreciate for a treat you’re giving every single day for most of a month. It’s a modern, ethically-minded British brand, and the treats feel like a considered choice rather than an afterthought. My fussier dog took to these without any of the usual side effects, which is a big tick from me.
It sits in the middle on price, and it’s not aimed at dogs who need huge treats — the portions are modest. But if a sensitive gut is your main worry, this is the calendar I’d reach for with the most confidence.
Pros
- Grain-free and gentle on sensitive stomachs
- Simple, wholesome recipes
- Ethical, modern British brand
- Good middle-ground price
Cons
- Modest portions — not ideal for big dogs wanting a mouthful
5. SKIPPER’s Advent Calendar — Best Low-Fat
Christmas is a fattening time for dogs as well as us, and if your dog is already carrying a bit of extra weight, an advent calendar can be a fortnight of unwanted calories. SKIPPER’s is my answer to that. It’s built around fish-based treats — little fish-skin bits, whitefish cubes and the like — which are naturally low in fat and something dogs seem to find irresistible.
I rate this one for any dog on a watchful diet, or older dogs where I’d rather not pile on the fat. The treats are natural and the fishy variety is a nice change from the usual meaty biscuits. Yes, your kitchen will get a faint whiff of the sea each morning, but my dogs think that’s a feature, not a bug.
The only things to note are that it’s one of the pricier calendars, and the fishy smell won’t be for every household. But as a lighter, healthier way to do advent, it’s the one I’d choose for a weight-conscious dog.
Pros
- Naturally low-fat, fish-based treats
- Great for weight-conscious or older dogs
- Natural ingredients dogs love
- A refreshing change from meaty biscuits
Cons
- Pricier, and the fishy smell isn’t for everyone
How to Choose a Dog Advent Calendar
Check what’s actually inside
The picture on the front tells you nothing about the treats behind the windows. I always read the ingredients before buying — I want to see natural, recognisable ingredients and, ideally, grain-free and rawhide-free treats. The nicer calendars use the same recipes as the brand’s everyday treats, which is exactly what you want.
Match the treat size to your dog
A jumbo treat is perfect for a Labrador and a bit much for a Chihuahua. If you’ve got a small dog, look for calendars with smaller portions, or simply break the bigger treats in half. It’s worth remembering these are extras on top of their normal food.
Mind the calories
Twenty-four days of daily treats adds up. Treats should make up no more than around 10% of your dog’s daily calories, so I trim their normal food slightly during December to keep things balanced. If your dog is already overweight, a low-fat option like a fish-based calendar is the sensible choice.
Buy early
This is the one that catches people out every year, me included. The best dog advent calendars sell out well before December, so if you’ve spotted one you like, don’t sit on it. There’s no fun in ordering on the 30th of November and finding only the dregs left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dog advent calendars safe?
Yes, provided you stick to one window a day and choose a reputable brand with natural, rawhide-free treats. The main risk is overfeeding, so factor the treats into your dog’s daily allowance and don’t let them raid the whole calendar at once — keep it well out of reach.
What age can a dog have an advent calendar?
Most are fine for adult dogs. For puppies I’d be more cautious, as the treats may be too rich or too large for a young tummy — check the treats are suitable for their age and break them down if needed. When in doubt, a quick word with your vet never hurts.
Can I give my dog the whole day’s treat at once?
That’s the idea — each window holds a single day’s treat, designed to be given as one small daily reward. Just don’t be tempted to open several windows at once, as that quickly turns a bit of fun into an upset stomach.
Are there advent calendars for dogs with allergies?
Yes. Grain-free and single-protein options like the Scrumbles calendar are a good starting point for sensitive dogs, and fish-based calendars suit some dogs with meat sensitivities. Always check the full ingredients list against whatever your dog needs to avoid.
When should I buy a dog advent calendar?
As early as you can — ideally by mid-November. The popular ones sell out fast, and buying early means you actually get the calendar you wanted rather than whatever’s left on the shelf.
Our Verdict
For me, the Pooch & Mutt Christmas Advent Calendar is the one to beat — a trusted British brand, proper meaty treats and a fair price make it the easy all-round recommendation. If you want to push the boat out, Denzel’s Jumbo is a lovely bit of luxury, while Good Boy keeps things cheap and cheerful.
Whichever you choose, the real joy is in the little morning ritual. If you’re stocking up for Christmas, it’s also worth a look at our guides to the best dog calming treats for the noisier festive moments, the best snuffle mats for keeping them busy, and our rundown of the ways to keep your dog healthy through the indulgent season. And if you’re weighing up the year-round costs, our cost of owning a dog guide is a handy read.
