A pet advent calendar that does not involve buying 24 things

The Ghost of Christmas Spending can sit this one out

There is a point in December when even the dog appears to have a wish list. Before your living room becomes the opening scene of The Muppet Christmas Carol, try a smaller production: an advent calendar made of things you already do together.

Write the numbers 1 to 24 on a sheet of paper. Use the six prompts below four times, choosing the dog or cat version each day. Keep the paper out of reach, tick a box and jot down what went down well. No wrapping, new toys or extra treats needed. If you do not own a suitable toy, swap that prompt for another favourite.

This is an activity countdown for the human to organise, not something for a pet to open. It starts on 1 December, but there is no festive inspector if you begin on the ninth.

Your six prompts for 24 days

Copy these dates onto your sheet. Keep sessions short and stop when your pet loses interest; the tick matters considerably less than their enjoyment.

• 1, 7, 13 and 19 — An old favourite. Dog: bring out a familiar, intact toy for a game they already know. Cat: offer a favourite cat toy for a short play session. Put toys away safely afterwards.
• 2, 8, 14 and 20 — A little discovery. Dog: let them watch you place a favourite toy somewhere easy to find, then invite them to look. Cat: offer an open, clean cardboard box with tape, staples and handles removed. Skip cardboard if they chew or swallow it.
• 3, 9, 15 and 21 — Let them choose. Dog: offer a choice between two suitable familiar toys. Cat: see which of their existing toys interests them today. Walking away is a perfectly valid vote.
• 4, 10, 16 and 22 — Time to notice. Dog: allow an unhurried sniff on their usual suitable walk. Cat: offer a brief play session in a quiet familiar spot, following their pace rather than chasing them with the toy.
• 5, 11, 17 and 23 — Favourite-place day. Dog: spend some quiet time nearby if they enjoy your company. Cat: leave their chosen resting place peaceful and let them approach you. Nobody needs to be picked up for a cuddle.
• 6, 12, 18 and 24 — The encore. Repeat whichever suitable activity they seemed to enjoy most. Write its name on your sheet for the next round. Christmas Eve does not require a grand finale.

For dogs: easy wins beat difficult puzzles

Blue Cross suggests toy-search games as an option for dogs who enjoy toys. Start with an obvious hiding place; this is not an audition for a detective drama. Dogs Trust also includes play among its enrichment ideas. Use those charity guides if you want to explore further.

Choose a clear space with secure footing. Keep ordinary walks and toilet opportunities in the day: a calendar game does not replace them. If pets compete over toys, give each their own space and time.

For cats: a box is an invitation, not a booking

Cats Protection recommends short opportunities to play and suggests cardboard boxes as places to explore and hide. Let your cat decide whether this particular box meets their exacting property requirements. Never put them inside or shut them in.

Use cat toys rather than fingers and toes. Supervise play, check toys for damage and put anything with string safely away afterwards. Keep decorations, ribbon and tinsel out of the game. A cat who prefers to watch from a distance has not failed Christmas.

Puppies, kittens and older pets get their own edit

A first Christmas is already full of unfamiliar things. Puppies and kittens can have a very small version of a familiar game, with plenty of uninterrupted rest. Adult pets can skip a day too. For a senior pet, pick comfortable activities they already manage; there is no need to add jumping or stairs.

Ask your vet what is suitable if health or mobility needs affect play. A new reluctance to move or take part deserves attention, rather than a harder game. Keep vaccinations, treatments and veterinary appointments on their existing plan: advent dates do not set medical due dates.

Keep the chocolate calendar for the humans

This version does not need food. PDSA warns that chocolate is toxic to pets, so keep human advent calendars safely out of reach. If your pet may have eaten something harmful, contact your vet promptly rather than waiting for a food lookup to settle the question.

Missed three days? Cross them out and carry on. Your dog is not checking the spreadsheet, and your cat probably regards the whole project as an administrative matter. The useful souvenir is a short list of things they actually like.