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Why Dog Advent Calendars Sell Out Fast
Dog advent calendars have become one of the most popular seasonal pet products, and the best ones sell out weeks before December. If you are reading this in November, do not wait. If it is already December, check availability quickly -- restocks are unlikely.
We looked at treat calendars, toy calendars, and combination options to find the six best picks for 2024.
Our Top 6 Picks
1. Blue Buffalo Santa Snacks Advent Calendar (Best Treat Calendar)
Blue Buffalo delivers 24 days of natural treats in a festive box with numbered doors. Each door reveals a small, individually wrapped treat made with real meat and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The treats are small enough that they work for dogs of all sizes without overfeeding.
The calendar itself is sturdy cardboard with a holiday design that looks good on a shelf or counter. This is the treat calendar to get if ingredient quality matters to you.
Buy Blue Buffalo Advent Calendar on Amazon
Highlights:
- 24 natural treats with real meat ingredients
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Appropriate treat size for small, medium, and large dogs
- Sturdy, attractive packaging
Best for: Health-conscious dog owners who read ingredient labels.
2. Frisco Holiday Advent Calendar for Dogs (Best Value)
The Frisco calendar packs a combination of treats and small plush toys behind its 24 doors, making each day a surprise. Some days your dog gets a crunchy biscuit; other days they get a squeaky mini toy. The variety keeps things interesting for both you and your dog.
At a lower price point than most competitors, the Frisco calendar is hard to beat on value.
Buy Frisco Holiday Advent Calendar on Amazon
Highlights:
- Mix of treats and plush toys for daily variety
- Budget-friendly pricing
- 24 doors with surprises
- Fun holiday-themed packaging
Best for: Dog owners who want variety without spending a lot.
3. BarkBox Advent Calendar (Best Toy Calendar)
BarkBox brings their signature creativity to the advent format. Each of the 12 doors (not 24 -- this is a shorter countdown) contains a unique small toy or chew. The toys feature the clever, quirky designs BarkBox is known for, and the quality is a step above typical calendar toys. If your dog loves unwrapping presents and playing with new toys, this is the one.
Note that this is a 12-day calendar, not 24. It covers the final countdown to the holiday rather than the full month.
Buy BarkBox Advent Calendar on Amazon
Highlights:
- 12 high-quality toys and chews
- BarkBox's signature creative toy designs
- Durable toys that last beyond the holiday season
- Fun unboxing experience
Best for: Toy-obsessed dogs and owners who value toy quality over calendar length.
4. Wellness Natural Grain-Free Advent Calendar (Best for Sensitive Stomachs)
If your dog has food sensitivities, the Wellness calendar is a safe choice. All 24 treats are grain-free and made with natural ingredients. The treats include a mix of soft and crunchy textures, and they are formulated without wheat, corn, soy, or artificial additives.
Buy Wellness Advent Calendar on Amazon
Highlights:
- Grain-free treats suitable for sensitive dogs
- No wheat, corn, soy, or artificial additives
- Mix of soft and crunchy treat textures
- 24 individually portioned treats
Best for: Dogs with food allergies or sensitivities who still deserve a holiday countdown.
5. Greenies Holiday Advent Calendar (Best for Dental Health)
The Greenies advent calendar includes a mix of their popular dental chews and treat varieties behind 24 doors. Since Greenies are one of the only treats accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for tartar control, this calendar lets your dog count down to the holidays while actually benefiting their dental health. Practical and festive.
Buy Greenies Advent Calendar on Amazon
Highlights:
- Includes VOHC-accepted dental chews
- 24 days of treats that support dental health
- Recognizable brand dogs already love
- Good treat variety within the calendar
Best for: Owners who want their dog's treats to serve a functional purpose.
6. Lily's Kitchen Advent Calendar for Dogs (Best Premium)
Lily's Kitchen is a UK-based brand that has earned a devoted following for its high-quality, natural ingredients. Their advent calendar contains 24 grain-free treats made with real meat and no fillers. The packaging is beautiful, and the treat quality is noticeably above mass-market calendars. It costs more, but you can feel the ingredient difference.
Buy Lily's Kitchen Advent Calendar on Amazon
Highlights:
- Premium grain-free treats with real meat
- Beautiful packaging that makes a great gift
- No fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives
- 24 individually wrapped treats
Best for: Dog owners who want the premium option and do not mind paying for top-tier ingredients.
Treat Calendar vs. Toy Calendar: Which Is Better?
Treat calendars are the most popular option and work well for food-motivated dogs. They are simple, mess-free, and dogs quickly learn to get excited when you open that day's door. The downside is that treats are consumed instantly.
Toy calendars provide lasting value since your dog keeps the toys long after the holidays. However, some dogs are less excited about toys than treats, and the toy quality in budget calendars can be disappointing.
Combination calendars (like the Frisco) offer the best of both worlds and keep the daily surprise genuinely unpredictable.
Safety Notes
- Check ingredients before giving any treat, especially if your dog has allergies. Read the full ingredient list, not just the front of the package.
- Size appropriateness matters. Some calendar treats are sized for medium to large dogs. For very small dogs, break larger treats in half.
- Supervise with toys. Small calendar toys can be a choking hazard for large dogs who tend to swallow rather than chew. Remove any toy that your dog starts destroying.
- Do not give all 24 treats at once. It sounds obvious, but dogs will absolutely eat an entire calendar if given access. Store it out of reach.
- Watch for weight gain. Even small daily treats add up over 24 days. Reduce your dog's regular food slightly to compensate for the extra calories.
When to Buy
The best dog advent calendars typically become available in October and start selling out by mid-November. If you are reading this and your preferred calendar is still in stock, buy it now. Restocks are rare for seasonal products, and prices increase on third-party sellers as December approaches.
Final Thoughts
A dog advent calendar is a small, fun way to include your dog in the holiday season. For the best all-around experience, go with the Blue Buffalo for treat quality or the Frisco for value and variety. And remember -- the best part of a dog advent calendar is not the calendar itself. It is the daily ritual of your dog's excitement when they see you reaching for it.