Cat Advent Calendar: Easy DIY Ideas and 24 Safe Daily Surprises for Your Cat

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Advent calendars aren't just for people anymore. A cat advent calendar gives your cat a small surprise every day from 1 December to Christmas Eve, and it turns the countdown into a fun daily ritual for the whole family.

You have two easy options. You can make your own in under an hour from paper bags, egg cartons or envelopes, or pick up a ready-made calendar filled with cat toys. Either way, the best calendars mix small treats with toys and activities, because many of the most exciting surprises for cats cost nothing at all.

Below you'll find our pick of ready-made calendars, four easy DIY ideas, a list of 24 safe daily surprises, the vet guidance on how many treats are too many, and the advent calendar danger that many cat owners don't think about.

Quick answer

A cat advent calendar is a countdown to Christmas with a small surprise for your cat each day. The quickest option is a ready-made calendar filled with cat toys, such as the Larchio 24-Day Cat Advent Calendar. For a homemade version, use 24 small paper bags or envelopes, stored out of your cat's reach, and fill them with a mix of tiny treats, toys and activities. Keep treats small: the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) says treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat's daily calories.

Why give your cat an advent calendar?

• It's enriching. New smells, textures and toys keep indoor cats mentally stimulated during the busy festive season.
• It builds routine. Cats love predictability, and a daily surprise at the same time each day becomes something they look forward to.
• It's bonding time. Many of the best surprises are things you do together, like a play session or a brushing.
• It's fun for the family. Children love helping to open the cat's calendar each morning.
• It makes great photos. Few things are cuter than a cat investigating its daily surprise.

Option 1: a ready-made cat advent calendar

If you're short on time, a ready-made calendar is the easiest way to start on 1 December.

Our pick: Larchio 24-Day Cat Advent Calendar

The Larchio 24-Day Cat Advent Calendar has a cat toy behind every door, covering the full countdown from 1 to 24 December. Because it's filled with toys rather than treats, you get a surprise every day without worrying about extra calories.

Why we like it:

• Toys for all 24 days, so it covers the whole countdown
• No treat calories, which suits cats that are watching their weight
• Easy to combine with your own activity days, such as play sessions and brushing

Before giving each toy to your cat: remove any small bells, loose feathers or parts that could be chewed off, and supervise play with wand toys. Put wand toys away after each session.

Check the price and availability on Amazon

More ready-made options

Ready-made cat advent calendars sell out quickly in December, and new designs appear every year. You can compare current cat advent calendars on Amazon.

When choosing one, check that:

1. It's made for cats, not dogs or children. Children's calendars often contain tiny plastic figures that are choking hazards for cats.
2. Treats suit your cat. Read the ingredients and calorie count.
3. Toys are safe. Look for soft toys without small detachable parts.
4. It arrives in time. Order by late November for a 1 December start.

Option 2: make your own cat advent calendar

1. Paper bag calendar

You'll need: 24 small paper bags, a marker or number stickers, a length of twine and 24 pegs.

1. Number the bags from 1 to 24.
2. Fill each bag with that day's surprise. For activity days, write the activity on a slip of paper.
3. Fold the tops and clip each bag to the twine with a peg.
4. Hang it high across a wall, mantel or window frame, well out of your cat's reach.

Hanging twine is a hazard if your cat can reach it, so mount the calendar high and securely.

2. Egg carton calendar

You'll need: two 12-cup cardboard egg cartons, paint or wrapping paper, and tissue paper.

1. Decorate the cartons with paint or wrapping paper.
2. Number each cup from 1 to 24.
3. Place a surprise in each cup, or a folded note for activity days.
4. Cover each cup with a square of tissue paper, glued around the edges.
5. Store it on a high shelf or in a cupboard.

Egg cartons are perfect for tiny treats and small toys.

3. Envelope box calendar

You'll need: 24 small envelopes, a shoebox and a pen.

1. Number the envelopes and fill them with notes, flat treats or small toys.
2. Stand them upright in a decorated shoebox, in order.
3. Keep the box in a drawer or cupboard.

This is the simplest option, and great for activity-based surprises.

4. Drawer organiser or jar calendar

Use a small plastic drawer organiser or 24 jars with lids. Label each drawer or jar and fill them in advance. It's the most reusable option, and you can bring it out again next year.

Bonus: a box your cat can "open"

Place the day's surprise inside a small cardboard box with the flaps loosely folded. Let your cat bat and paw its way in, under supervision. Many cats love the box more than what's inside.

What to put inside: filler ideas that cats love

A few well-chosen fillers go a long way across 24 days.

Silver vine

Not every cat reacts to catnip. A 2017 study by Bol and colleagues in BMC Veterinary Research found that about one in three cats didn't respond to catnip, while 79% responded to silver vine. A few silver vine sticks or a small pouch of silver vine powder can cover several "scent days" in your calendar. You can browse silver vine for cats on Amazon.

A puzzle feeder

Puzzle feeders let your cat "hunt" for its food, which adds enrichment without adding calories if you use part of its regular meal. They make an excellent calendar surprise, and your cat keeps using them long after Christmas. You can browse cat puzzle feeders on Amazon.

Treats and cat supplies

For treat days, use your cat's usual cat treats, broken into small pieces. If you're stocking up on treats, flea treatment or other cat supplies for the holidays, Budget Pet Care sells a wide range of cat supplies, and is offering 25% off with the code HDAYSALE until 30 December 2026 (US offer; check the terms at checkout).

Homemade toys

If you crochet, our easy crochet cat toy patterns and crochet Christmas pudding cat toy make perfect calendar surprises.

24 safe daily surprises for your cat

Mix food and non-food surprises so your cat stays healthy and entertained all month.

If you're using a ready-made toy calendar, keep these activity ideas for extra fun alongside each day's toy.

How many treats are too many?

The WSAVA explains that treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat's daily calorie intake, and should never replace a meal. Its guide gives this benchmark for healthy adult cats at an ideal weight:

The WSAVA also notes that a single 28 g (1 oz) serving of some human foods can exceed a cat's daily treat allowance. For example, lean turkey breast has about 50 calories in that amount, and cheddar cheese about 120. That's why toy and activity days are so valuable in a 24-day calendar.

Treat tips

• Use your cat's usual cat treats rather than human food.
• Break treats into smaller pieces to stretch them further.
• Use part of your cat's regular food in puzzle feeders.
• Check the calorie count on the packet.
• Ask your vet if your cat is overweight, diabetic or on a special diet.

Safe toys for an advent calendar

Choose toys that are safe enough to use without constant supervision:

• Soft balls without bells or small parts
• Kicker toys and plush toys with sewn details
• Catnip or silver vine toys
• Cardboard scratchers
• Crocheted cat toys made without loose strings

Avoid toys with long strings, ribbons, loosely glued feathers, small bells or beads. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that swallowed string can cause serious intestinal injury that usually needs surgery. Wand toys are great for daily play, but always put them away afterwards.

The advent calendar danger many owners miss

Chocolate advent calendars

The biggest advent calendar risk for cats isn't the cat's calendar. It's the family's chocolate one.

Ontario SPCA explains that chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to cats, and can cause abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures and even death depending on the amount eaten. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.

Keep human chocolate advent calendars on high shelves or inside cupboards, and remind children not to share their chocolate with the cat.

Wrapping, twine and ribbon

Tissue paper, twine, ribbon and sticky tape can all be chewed or swallowed. RSPCA Tasmania warns that ribbons and string-like items can wrap around the intestines and cause serious damage. Clear away wrapping straight after opening each day's surprise.

Don't store it under the tree

Cats Protection advises against putting cat gifts under the Christmas tree, especially if they contain catnip, because this encourages cats to explore the tree. Store the calendar in a cupboard or on a high shelf.

Make it a family tradition

• Let children help fill the calendar and open each day's surprise, with supervision.
• Take a daily photo of your cat with its surprise, and make a festive collage on Christmas Eve.
• Reuse your DIY calendar each year, swapping in new toys and activities.
• Make one for a friend's cat as a thoughtful handmade gift.

For more festive gift ideas, see our guide to Christmas gifts for cats.

Christmas safety reminders

• Lilies are extremely toxic to cats and common in Christmas bouquets. See our guide to lilies and cats.
• Christmas food, from ham fat to fruit cake, can make cats sick. Read our guide to Christmas food that's dangerous for cats.
• The Christmas tree can topple if your cat climbs it. Our guide on how to keep cats out of the Christmas tree has 12 tips.

Cat advent calendar checklist

• [ ] I've chosen a ready-made calendar or made a DIY one with 24 compartments.
• [ ] I've mixed treat days with toy and activity days.
• [ ] Treats are small and within my cat's daily treat allowance.
• [ ] I remove bells and small parts from toys before giving them.
• [ ] The calendar is stored high or in a cupboard, not under the tree.
• [ ] Wrapping and twine are cleared away after each opening.
• [ ] Chocolate advent calendars are out of my cat's reach.
• [ ] I've checked with my vet if my cat is on a special diet.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cat advent calendar?

It's a countdown calendar with a small surprise for your cat each day from 1 December to 24 December. Surprises can include tiny treats, new toys, scent enrichment such as silver vine, or activities like play sessions.

What's the best cat advent calendar?

A calendar filled with cat toys, such as the Larchio 24-Day Cat Advent Calendar, is a good choice because it covers all 24 days without adding treat calories. Whichever you choose, check it's made for cats and remove small parts from toys.

What can I put in a DIY cat advent calendar?

Mix small cat treats, safe toys, cardboard scratchers, silver vine, a puzzle feeder, and activity notes such as play sessions, brushing, treasure hunts or a new cardboard box. Keep treats small and include plenty of non-food days.

How many treats can I give my cat each day?

The WSAVA says treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat's daily calories. For an average 4 kg cat, that's about 22 calories a day. Check treat packets for calorie counts and break treats into small pieces.

Are chocolate advent calendars dangerous for cats?

Yes. Ontario SPCA warns that chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to cats and can cause abnormal heart rhythms, tremors and seizures. Keep human chocolate calendars out of reach.

When should I start a cat advent calendar?

Traditionally on 1 December, finishing on 24 December. Order a ready-made calendar or make your own by late November so it's ready to go.

Can kittens have an advent calendar?

Yes, with extra care. Use kitten-safe treats in tiny amounts, choose toys without small parts, and supervise play. Ask your vet about suitable treats for your kitten's age.

Related guides

• Christmas gifts for cats
• Easy crochet cat toys: 3 free patterns
• Christmas food that's dangerous for cats

Sources

• World Small Animal Veterinary Association, Feeding treats to your cat
• Ontario SPCA, 8 foods that are harmful to cats
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Foreign body in cats
• RSPCA Tasmania, Make sure your pet has a pawsome Christmas
• Cats Protection, Cats at Christmas
• Bol S et al., Responsiveness of cats to silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, valerian root and catnip, BMC Veterinary Research, 2017

Product details and availability can change, so always check the current listing before you buy. This guide is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your vet.