World, meet Pebbles.
There are many things he doesn’t like in life: drinking water, flea treatment, being picked up, the vets, the sound of foil being torn, Boris the neighbourhood stray, and any form of affection.
He does, however, have a few indulgences. Namely decapitating mice, sleeping on my pillow, sitting atop the toilet seat while I shower, catching moths and, come Christmas, he can’t get enough of his advent calendar. I genuinely believe it’s the key to melting his icy-cold, cat heart.
For the past three years, Pebbles has been the recipient of a Lily’s Kitchen ‘Christmas Spectacular’ advent calendar (now half price). As a kitten, he wolfed the treats down quicker than you could say catnip. Whenever I pulled it out of hiding, he’d come running, his eyes almost bigger than his face.
It’s a ritual we hold dear to this day. So for those wondering whether to invest in one for their feline friend(s) come 1 December, here’s Pebbles’ review of the calendar – plus how we make the festive ritual work in our house.
When December comes around, Pebbles gets his advent calendar fix after dinner (mornings are too stressful and I don’t want to rush it). I’ll get the cardboard creation out the cupboard and carry it to the living room, with Pebbles running after me like a dog.
We’ll sit on the rug and he’ll climb on me to get at the calendar – three years of this have taught him what lies within. I’ll open (read: fight with) the door while he watches rather impatiently by my side. He’ll sit, then stand, then climb, then hit me with his paw.
Behind each door is a selection of three cat treats. You have to push pretty hard to rip through the plastic film, but once you’re in, the purring sounds from your cat will be something to behold entirely. With Pebbles, it tends to be high pitched, very loud, and very fast. Kind of like he’s about to explode.
If that doesn’t show you how much he loves it already, I don’t know what will.
There are two flavours of treat behind the windows – chicken with liver and festive turkey with cranberry (find out exactly what’s in them on Lily’s website). All of the treats are demolished in the same timeframe so I don’t think there are any favourites, here. 14/10 he would eat again. And again.
Cat owners online seem to agree – “My cat is very fussy but he loves the treats in this,” one wrote. Another posted: “Generous amount of treats each day!”
The downside, though? You have to put it away after the treats have been eaten. Cue, the stretch. This stretch is one perfected over the years by Pebbles, which translates as “please don’t take it away, I am cute”. Reader, what can I say? Sometimes I cave and open another window. I’m only human, after all.
This daily ritual has become a festive tradition I cherish. Cats don’t tend to get excited about much – as I’m sure most owners will agree – but this calendar is an exception to the rule.
A word of warning, though, to those who have more than one cat: they might not like to share. Last year, we welcomed Pip into our home and, come Christmas, Pebbles wasn’t a fan of sharing the goods. So much so, he decided to guard the calendar fiercely.
Case in point.
This year, dear reader, they have a calendar each. (Yes, I am sad. And proud.)
For people who love Christmas, and their cats, it’ll bring joy into your household. Get the advent calendar for £5 from Lily’s Kitchen (it’s usually £10). You’re welcome.
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