The festive season is creeping closer, bringing with it the cosy evenings, twinkling lights, and that undeniable buzz of anticipation. Many of us love the daily ritual of opening an advent calendar, a small treat to mark the countdown. But why should humans have all the fun? Our furry, scaled, or feathered family members deserve to join in the festive spirit too! Forget those often overpriced, sometimes underwhelming store-bought pet advent calendars. This year, let’s roll up our sleeves and get crafty with some delightful Do-It-Yourself pet treat advent calendar ideas.
Creating something handmade for your pet is incredibly rewarding. You get complete control over the treats, ensuring they are favourites or suitable for specific dietary needs. It’s often much more budget-friendly than buying pre-made versions, leaving more pennies for extra special pet presents! Plus, it’s a fantastic way to unleash your creativity and enjoy a mindful crafting session. Imagine the look on your dog’s face or the excited chirps from your bird each day as they discover their special surprise. It’s a wonderful way to bond and make the countdown to the big day extra special for every member of the family.
Getting Crafty: DIY Calendar Concepts
The beauty of DIY is its flexibility. You can adapt these ideas based on the materials you have, your crafting skill level, and, of course, your pet! Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, hamster, parrot, or another beloved creature, you can tailor these concepts.
The Muffin Tin Marvel
This is perhaps one of the simplest yet most effective DIY advent calendars, especially good if you’re short on time. All you need is a 12 or 24-cup muffin tin (metal or silicone works). The idea is to fill each cup with a treat and then cover it.
Materials:
- Muffin tin (12 or 24 cups)
- Paper (cardstock, construction paper, wrapping paper scraps)
- Scissors
- Non-toxic glue or tape
- Marker or number stickers (1-12 or 1-24)
- Pet treats
Steps:
- Cut out circles of paper slightly larger than the muffin cup openings. You need one circle per cup.
- Decorate your paper circles if you wish! Add numbers from 1 to 12 or 1 to 24 using your marker or stickers.
- Place a single treat (or a small portion) into each muffin cup. Consider varying the treats for extra excitement.
- Apply a small amount of non-toxic glue or a loop of tape to the underside edge of each paper circle. Carefully press the circle over the filled muffin cup opening, sealing the treat inside.
- Arrange the cups in order, or mix them up for a daily search! Each day, help your pet ‘punch’ through or peel back the paper of the corresponding number to reveal their treat. For less destructive pets, you might just lay the numbered circles on top without glue.
This method is fantastic for dogs and even curious cats who enjoy a bit of ‘sniffing out’ fun. Ensure the paper is easily removable or safely tearable for your pet.
The Hanging Pouch Parade
This option looks wonderfully festive and can be hung like a garland. It involves creating small individual pouches or bags for each day’s treat.
Materials:
- Material for pouches: Felt squares, burlap scraps, small fabric offcuts, paper lunch bags, small muslin drawstring bags, or even mini Christmas stockings.
- Needle and thread or fabric glue (if making fabric pouches from scratch)
- Scissors
- Ribbon, twine, or a sturdy branch
- Marker, fabric paint, or number tags
- Safety pins or small clothes pegs
- Pet treats
Steps:
- Create 12 or 24 small pouches. If using fabric squares, fold them in half and sew/glue two sides, leaving the top open. If using paper bags, you can simply fold down the tops. Muslin bags or mini stockings are ready to go!
- Decorate and number each pouch. Use fabric paint on fabric, markers on paper, or attach numbered tags. Get creative with festive colours and patterns.
- Fill each pouch with a treat.
- Close the top of each pouch. You can tie them with a small piece of ribbon, fold them over, or use the drawstring if they have one.
- Attach the pouches to your main ribbon, twine, or branch using safety pins or small clothes pegs. Arrange them in numerical order or randomly.
- Hang your advent calendar garland in a place accessible for the daily treat reveal (but out of reach for sneaky snacking!).
This garland style adds a lovely decorative touch to your home during the festive season. It works well for most pets, as you simply open the pouch for them each day.
The Punch-Out Box Bonanza
This idea adds an element of interactive fun, particularly for pets who enjoy a bit of gentle destruction! Think of it like a lottery scratch card, but with treats.
Materials:
- Shallow cardboard box (like a shirt box lid or a sturdy delivery box cut down) or a wooden frame.
- Cardboard strips or toilet paper tubes to create compartments.
- Strong craft glue or hot glue gun (use with caution).
- Tissue paper (festive colours work well).
- Marker or number stickers.
- Scissors or craft knife.
- Pet treats.
Steps:
- Create a grid inside your box or frame using the cardboard strips or by arranging toilet paper tubes. Aim for 12 or 24 equal compartments. Glue them securely in place.
- Once the glue is dry, place a treat into each compartment.
- Carefully cut a sheet of tissue paper large enough to cover the entire front of the box/frame.
- Apply glue sparingly around the edges of the box/frame and the tops of the compartment dividers.
- Gently lay the tissue paper over the front, pressing it down onto the glued edges to seal it taut like a drum skin. Let it dry completely.
- Using your marker or stickers, number each compartment section on the tissue paper from 1 to 12 or 1 to 24.
- Each day, let your pet (with supervision!) sniff out the correct number and use their nose or paw to punch through the tissue paper to get their reward.
This is brilliant for enthusiastic dogs and cats. Ensure the tissue paper is thin enough for them to break through easily and always supervise to make sure they don’t ingest the paper.
The Toilet Paper Roll Tower
Start saving those cardboard tubes! This is an eco-friendly and surprisingly versatile option.
Materials:
- 12 or 24 empty toilet paper rolls (or paper towel rolls cut in half).
- Non-toxic glue.
- Tissue paper, wrapping paper scraps, or cupcake liners.
- Marker or number stickers.
- Scissors.
- Pet treats.
Steps:
- Seal one end of each cardboard tube. You can do this by gluing a circle of paper over the end, folding and gluing the end flat, or securing a cupcake liner over the end with glue or an elastic band (remove the band before giving to pet).
- Number each tube from 1 to 12 or 1 to 24 on the outside.
- Decorate the tubes if desired – wrap them in festive paper or draw patterns directly onto the cardboard.
- Place a treat inside each numbered tube.
- Seal the other end of the tube in the same way you sealed the first, or simply fold the ends inwards.
- Arrange the tubes! You can stand them up individually, glue them together in the shape of a Christmas tree, stack them in a pyramid, or lay them in a box.
- Each day, present the correctly numbered tube to your pet. They might enjoy shredding the cardboard (ensure it’s safe for them) or you can help them open it.
This works well for small mammals like rabbits or guinea pigs who enjoy gnawing, as well as dogs and cats. Always supervise chewing.
The Envelope Garland
Simple, elegant, and easy to customize, using envelopes is a quick way to create a charming advent calendar.
Materials:
- 12 or 24 small envelopes (coloured or plain).
- Markers, stickers, stamps for decoration.
- Ribbon or twine.
- Hole punch.
- Small clothes pegs (optional).
- Pet treats (must be flat or small).
Steps:
- Decorate your envelopes! Use markers, stickers, glitter (use pet-safe glue sparingly and ensure it dries fully), or stamps to make them festive.
- Number each envelope clearly from 1 to 12 or 1 to 24.
- Place a small, flattish treat inside each envelope. Seal the envelope.
- Punch a hole in the top corner of each sealed envelope (or use small clothes pegs).
- Thread the envelopes onto your ribbon or twine in numerical order to create a garland.
- Hang the garland and enjoy opening one envelope each day with your pet.
This is a visually appealing option best suited for smaller, non-bulky treats. It’s less about interaction and more about the daily reveal ritual.
Choosing the Perfect Treats
The heart of any advent calendar is, of course, the surprise inside! When choosing treats for your DIY calendar, keep a few things in mind. Variety is key – mix up your pet’s absolute favourites with some new flavours they might enjoy (ensure they are suitable first!). Consider the size of the treats; they need to fit comfortably within your chosen calendar’s compartments, pouches, or envelopes. You might use small training treats, break larger biscuits into pieces, or use special dental chews on certain days.
You can absolutely use high-quality store-bought treats. Read the labels to ensure they align with your pet’s dietary needs. Alternatively, if you enjoy baking, you could make your own simple, pet-safe treats. Just be absolutely certain that all ingredients used are non-toxic to your specific type of pet. Common ingredients like xylitol (in peanut butter), chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins are dangerous for dogs and cats, for example. Always research ingredients thoroughly if going the homemade route.
Safety First: A Word of Caution
Always prioritize your pet’s safety when creating and using a DIY advent calendar. Ensure all materials used are non-toxic – avoid heavy paints, toxic glues, loose glitter, or small decorative elements that could be easily chewed off and ingested. Securely construct your calendar so it doesn’t fall apart easily, presenting choking hazards. Most importantly, always supervise your pet when they are interacting with the calendar, especially if it involves chewing or tearing, to prevent them from swallowing non-food items. Double-check that every single treat is safe and appropriate for your specific pet.
Making it Extra Special
Want to elevate your DIY creation? Personal touches make all the difference. Use colours that match your holiday decor or your pet’s accessories. Tie ribbons or small jingle bells (securely!) onto hanging elements. Print out small photos of your pet to stick onto some of the days. If you’re using fabric, consider materials with pet-themed patterns. For paper-based calendars, let kids (if you have them) join in the decorating fun with pet-safe crayons or markers. The effort you put into decorating adds to the charm and makes the calendar a unique keepsake.
Creating a DIY pet treat advent calendar is more than just a craft project; it’s an act of love. It’s a way to include your cherished companion in the festive traditions, bringing a little extra joy and tail wags (or purrs, or chirps!) to each day of the countdown. So gather your supplies, pick your favourite idea, and get ready to craft some holiday magic for your furry, feathered, or scaled friend. Happy crafting, and happy holidays to you and your pet!
