Occasion · Review

BarkBox Dog Advent Calendar Review

Is the BarkBox advent calendar worth it as a gift? An honest look at what's behind the 24 doors, where it currently stands on stock, and the in-stock calendars to buy instead.

By Stephen V., Founder & editorLast updated September 4, 2026

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Availability first, because it changes the answer. When we re-checked the listing on September 4, 2026, Amazon showed the BarkBox dog advent calendar as currently unavailable — no price, and no add-to-cart button. That is a step further than the “temporarily out of stock, we’re working to get it back” wording it carried at the end of August: the listing is still live and still not marked discontinued, but Amazon has stopped signaling that a restock is coming. So we won’t point you at something you can’t buy, and the ranked picks on this page are the in-stock calendars we’d choose instead.

The rest of this review still stands, because the question people arrive with is whether the thing is worth buying when it is available. The BarkBox calendar is the go-big option for households that treat the dog like family at Christmas — 24 doors, a mix of toys and treats, one small reveal a day through December. It has always been pricier than a plain chew calendar, so it’s fair to ask whether it earns that.

What it does well: it turns December into a daily ritual. The toy-and-treat mix is what makes it an experience rather than a treat countdown — the dog gets a new thing to sniff out each morning, and the owner gets the fun of watching. For a treat-loving dog and an owner who genuinely celebrates the season, that daily payoff is the whole appeal.

Where to think twice: the price, and now the timing. If the recipient wouldn’t get a kick out of a daily reveal, or the dog is a heavy chewer who’ll blow through toys, a simpler chew-only calendargives most of the joy for a fraction of the cost. And waiting on a restock is a bad bet this close to the season — especially now that Amazon has stopped signaling one, and the good calendars sell out anyway.

The verdict: a great idea for the household that loves a bit of Christmas theater with the dog, and one you currently can’t act on. Our top pick below is a 24-day toy advent calendar — the same daily reveal, and it doubles as the dog’s main present, with the bonus that nothing in it is edible, so you don’t need to know the dog’s diet. Under it are the cheaper alternatives: a chew advent calendar, a stocking and a treat box, all with live prices. For the head-to-head, see advent calendar vs stocking.

Quick picks

Ranked by who it’s for, honest gift-fit and current price. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We haven’t tested these ourselves — here’s exactly what we do instead.

#	Gift	Best for	Price
1	MOVINPE 24-Day Dog Toys Advent Calendar Twenty-four doors with a toy or accessory behind each one rather than a treat — squeaky toys, chew balls, tug ropes, a foldable bowl, socks and collars. The calendar that doubles as the dog's main Christmas present.	The go-big toy countdown	$36.99 · View on Amazon Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
2	Himalayan Dog Chew Advent Calendar A 12-day countdown of natural chews for the dog — a fun, inexpensive holiday gift that the whole household gets to enjoy each morning. The budget alternative to a toy calendar.	A fun holiday countdown	$24.99 · View on Amazon Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
3	Knit Bone-Shape Dog Christmas Stocking A knit, bone-shaped stocking so the dog has one on the mantel too — the small touch that delights a dog family. Fill it with the treats or toys above.	Giving the dog a stocking	$15.99 · View on Amazon Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
4	Gourmet Dog Treat Gift Box A bakery-style box of gourmet dog cookies — the gift that's actually for the dog, which dog people love. A charming, low-cost way to include the pup.	A gift for the actual dog	$12.99 · View on Amazon Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

Every pick, in full

1The go-big toy countdown

MOVINPE 24-Day Dog Toys Advent Calendar

Twenty-four doors with a toy or accessory behind each one rather than a treat — squeaky toys, chew balls, tug ropes, a foldable bowl, socks and collars. The calendar that doubles as the dog's main Christmas present.

Why it’s a great gift

24 days of toys and gear, not just treats
Doubles as the dog's main Christmas gift
Nothing edible, so you don't need to know the dog's diet

Keep in mind

No treats at all — a food-motivated dog may prefer a chew calendar
Twenty-four items at this price means each one is small
Assorted small pieces, so a heavy chewer needs supervising

$36.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2A fun holiday countdown

Himalayan Dog Chew Advent Calendar

A 12-day countdown of natural chews for the dog — a fun, inexpensive holiday gift that the whole household gets to enjoy each morning. The budget alternative to a toy calendar.

Why it’s a great gift

Natural, name-brand chews
Daily December fun
Twelve full-size chews, not samples

Keep in mind

Seasonal and single-use

$24.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3Giving the dog a stocking

Knit Bone-Shape Dog Christmas Stocking

A knit, bone-shaped stocking so the dog has one on the mantel too — the small touch that delights a dog family. Fill it with the treats or toys above.

Why it’s a great gift

Cute mantel piece for the dog
Reusable year to year
Under $16

Keep in mind

It's the wrapping — pair with a treat

$15.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4A gift for the actual dog

Gourmet Dog Treat Gift Box

A bakery-style box of gourmet dog cookies — the gift that's actually for the dog, which dog people love. A charming, low-cost way to include the pup.

Why it’s a great gift

The dog gets a present too
Charming bakery presentation
Under $15

Keep in mind

Check for treat allergies first

$12.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 15, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

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BarkBox advent calendar: common questions

Can you still buy the BarkBox advent calendar?

Not on Amazon, as things stand. We re-checked the listing on September 4, 2026 and Amazon now shows it as currently unavailable, with no price and no add-to-cart button. That is a step further than the 'temporarily out of stock, we're working to get it back' wording it carried at the end of August — the listing is still live and still not marked discontinued, but Amazon has stopped signaling that a restock is coming. Because we can't send you to something you can't buy, the picks on this page are the in-stock alternatives we'd choose instead.

Is the BarkBox advent calendar worth it?

For a household that goes big on the dog at Christmas, it's a strong idea: a mix of toys and treats behind 24 doors turns December into a daily ritual for the whole family. It's pricier than a simple chew calendar, so the value always depended on whether the fun of a daily reveal mattered to them. The catch today is availability rather than the product — and with the listing now showing as currently unavailable and no restock being signaled, we'd plan around one of the alternatives below rather than hold out for it.

What's the closest alternative?

A 24-day toy advent calendar is the nearest thing in both shape and spirit — the same daily reveal across 24 doors, and it doubles as the dog's main present. The difference is that it's toys and gear rather than a toy-and-treat mix, which is actually an advantage when you're buying for someone else's dog and don't know its diet. It's our top pick on this page.

Is there a cheaper advent calendar for the dog?

Yes — a Himalayan chew or plain treat advent calendar runs a fraction of the price and still gives a daily reveal, just without the toys. If budget matters more than the toy variety, that's the smarter buy. We compare both in our dog advent calendars guide.

Comparing your Christmas options?

See all the dog advent calendars side by side, from budget chews to the go-big 24-day toy calendar.

See dog advent calendars