A cat toy advent calendar is one of those ideas that sounds like a lot of effort but actually comes together beautifully once you know what to include. This guide covers everything from choosing the right treats and toys for your cat's personality, to building something at home without needing a single craft supply. Whether your cat is a bold little hunter or a gentle senior who mostly naps, there's a way to make December feel genuinely festive for them too.
What to put in a cat toy advent calendar
A cat toy advent calendar is a genuinely lovely idea, and once you start thinking about what goes inside, it becomes pretty fun to pull together. Unlike dog advent calendars, which tend to lean heavily on chews and treats, cats appreciate a proper mix. A little toy one day, a pinch of catnip the next, something cosy tucked in near the end. Variety is really the whole point.
Small toys make brilliant daily surprises. Crinkle balls, feather teasers, tiny mice, anything that rattles or moves unpredictably — cats are hunters at heart, and a new toy to bat around first thing in the morning suits them perfectly. If you want ready-made options that are already cat-safe and well-made, the Lords and Labradors cat toy collection is a good place to start browsing.
Treat portions work well too, but keep them small. A few pieces of freeze-dried chicken or a couple of dental treats is plenty. You're not trying to fill them up, just giving them something tasty to look forward to each morning.
Enrichment bits are easy to overlook, but they add real value. A small bundle of dried catnip, a sprig of silver vine, or even a square of crinkle paper can keep a cat entertained for longer than you'd expect. Simple, but genuinely engaging.
Then towards the final few days, a comfort extra — a soft blanket square, a new snuggly toy — gives the whole countdown a satisfying finish.
The best advent calendar for cats mixes sensory play, little bursts of that hunting instinct, and the occasional treat. Keep the surprises varied and the portions small, and your cat will come looking for that day's window every single morning.
Safe treats and toys your cat will actually use
Picking the right contents makes all the difference between a calendar your cat investigates once and one they're genuinely excited about each morning. A good mix of cat Christmas treats and small toys keeps things varied enough to stay interesting all the way to Christmas Eve — think of it less like filling boxes and more like curating 24 little moments your cat will actually look forward to.
Some of the best things to include:
- Freeze-dried meat treats — chicken, salmon or duck pieces work brilliantly. High in protein, low in filler, and most cats go absolutely wild for them.
- Dental treats — a practical pick that doubles as enrichment, and a useful change of pace mid-calendar.
- Crinkle balls — lightweight, noisy, and endlessly battable. One will immediately disappear under the sofa.
- Felt or fabric mice — soft enough to carry around, satisfying to pounce on. A classic for good reason.
- Feather wand toppers — fold a small attachment into a pouch and save it for an interactive play session together.
- Catnip pouches — brilliant for cats who respond to catnip, and easy to tuck into even the smallest compartment.
- Mini puzzle feeders or treat balls — a step up in enrichment that gives food-motivated cats something to really work for.
- Age-appropriate snacks — kitten treats for younger cats, softer options for seniors.
What to leave out: Avoid anything with loose ribbons, glittery decorations, or small detachable parts that could be swallowed. Strongly scented items can easily overwhelm, and oversized toys will throw off your whole setup.
The other thing worth remembering when planning your cat toy advent calendar is that the best contents are the ones suited to your specific cat. A ten-year-old may prefer gentle enrichment and something tasty over fast-moving toys, while a younger, food-driven cat will love puzzle slots scattered throughout. Getting that balance right is what makes the countdown feel genuinely personal rather than just festive.
How to build a DIY cat advent calendar at home
Building a cat toy advent calendar at home is much simpler than it sounds. No craft room required, no hot glue gun, and no need for a free afternoon. A few household staples, some favourite treats, and a little bit of organisation are genuinely all it takes.
How to put it together:
-
Choose your containers. Small paper bags, envelopes, toilet roll tubes, mini cups, or a drawer-style box all work well. Mix and match with whatever you have lying around.
-
Sort your contents into 25 portions. Divide your cat Christmas treats and small toys across the containers, aiming for a bit of variety throughout. Some days a crunchy treat, others a crinkle ball or a feather toy — little differences go a long way.
-
Number each one. Label them 1 to 25 so there's no bleary-eyed guesswork on a Tuesday morning trying to remember where you left off.
-
Add a festive touch if you fancy it. A strip of washi tape, a ribbon, or a star sticker is more than enough. This is for your cat, so fun beats fussy every time.
-
Find a consistent spot to keep it. Somewhere easy for you to access but out of reach for your cat. A high shelf or a cupboard works perfectly.
-
Reveal one compartment each day. Make it a small ritual — open it together, let your cat sniff out the contents, and enjoy the moment. Cats are surprisingly good at picking up on routines.
Quick tip: Try alternating treat days with toy days. It keeps your cat genuinely curious about what's coming next rather than just expecting the same thing every morning.
If you enjoy making things for your cat, there's plenty more fun to be had in the run-up to Christmas. These DIY cat craft ideas using cardboard boxes are a great place to start — and your cat will almost certainly want to get involved.
Easy cat advent calendar ideas for different personalities
No two cats are the same, so the best cat toy advent calendar is one that feels made for your cat, not just filled for the sake of it. A simple way to plan it is to alternate toy days, treat days, and easy enrichment days so the countdown stays fun without becoming too much.
-
Playful cats usually love a bit of variety. Think feather teaser on day 1, crinkle ball on day 3, then a cardboard box hideout or paper bag play session on day 5. You can even do a little “hunt day” with a toy mouse hidden under a blanket.
-
Food-motivated cats tend to enjoy a cat advent calendar that mixes cat Christmas treats with mini challenges. Try a crunchy treat one day, a lickable treat the next, then a treat tucked inside a folded loo roll tube or small box for a sniff-and-find game.
-
Shy or anxious cats often do better with calm, predictable surprises. A fleece square, a soft toy with catnip or silvervine, or a cosy blanket day can feel much more rewarding than anything noisy. You could make every fourth day a “comfort day” with something familiar and low pressure.
-
Senior cats usually appreciate gentler options. Soft balls, plush toys they can pat from bed, and easy-open treats work well. Alternate active days with cosy ones so they get a nice rhythm through December.
-
Kittens need safe, lightweight toys and short bursts of fun. A felt ball, a mini teaser, then a five-minute play session with you makes a lovely pattern for an advent calendar for cats.
However you fill it, try repeating a simple formula: toy, treat, enrichment, rest, then start again. It keeps your pet advent calendar balanced and much more exciting. If you need ideas, the Lords & Labradors cat gift collection is a handy place to browse by personality and play style.
How to keep the countdown exciting without overdoing it
Pacing your cat toy advent calendar well is what turns it from a novelty into something your cat genuinely looks forward to each day. It's tempting to front-load all the good stuff in week one, but a steadier rhythm keeps the excitement alive right through to Christmas. Think of it less like a race to the best bits and more like a slow burn.
A few simple ways to keep the momentum going:
- Stick to one small treat per day. Even the most devoted cat parent can accidentally go overboard in December. One treat keeps things feeling special without nudging your cat's diet off balance.
- Alternate between toy days and treat days. A crinkle ball one day, a little pouch of chicken the next. Variety stops the calendar feeling predictable.
- Mix up the timing. Open the door in the morning some days, the afternoon on others. Cats are surprisingly tuned in to routine, so a little unpredictability keeps them alert and curious.
- Balance solo play with interactive moments. A catnip toy they can bat around alone is great, but a feather wand or puzzle feeder gives you an excuse to join in too.
Got more than one cat? A separate calendar for each is the easiest fix. If that feels like overkill, supervise the daily opening so every cat gets their own moment rather than one bold character hogging the spoils. If interest starts to dip mid-month, it's worth checking in on these signs your cat might be bored to understand what's going on.
And if your cat is firmly in the "I'd rather eat than play" camp, that's completely fine. A treat-heavy or catnip-led calendar is still a brilliant advent calendar for cats. The whole point is a happy, engaged cat, and that looks a little different for every household.
A simple way to make it feel special every day
The best cat toy advent calendar doesn’t need to be elaborate. It just needs to feel like a little daily moment your cat enjoys.
Start small and keep it personal. A few favourite toys, some cat Christmas treats, and a couple of easy wins like a crinkle ball, feather teaser or catnip toy are plenty for a lovely advent calendar for cats. Most cats are happiest with familiar things they already love, just spaced out in a fun new way. In reality, the routine often becomes the best bit. That quiet minute each day opening a pocket or box together can turn a simple cat advent calendar into part of your December rhythm.
If you need a few last-minute fillers, our festive feline gift and toy collection is a handy place to find cat toy gift ideas without overcomplicating it.
And if you’ve got both pets at home, you can also read our guide to making a dog advent calendar so your pup can join in too.
Keep it simple, choose things your cat will genuinely use, and let your pet advent calendar be fun rather than perfect.
