Trader Joe's Pet Treat Advent Calendars are Reselling

Okay, if you’ve been wanting to get in on the advent calendar game, Trader Joe’s just made your December a lot more profitable. The grocer’s dog and cat advent calendars are back at stores nationwide for $7.99, and they’re already flipping for $15 to $20 on eBay. This flip (probably) won’t make anyone rich, but it’s reliable, low-risk, and plenty profitable. As we approach the holidays, a little extra cash never hurts.

Pet parents who don’t live near a Trader Joe’s are happy to pay double for these calendars, and honestly, it makes sense. The dog version has salmon and sweet potato treats, while the cat calendar features 60% antibiotic-free Atlantic salmon with dried seaweed. These aren’t cheap ingredients, and at $7.99 retail, they’re already a steal compared to similar products that run $15-25 at PetSmart or Amazon.

The real opportunity here is Trader Joe’s store-only model. You can’t order these online from TJ’s, which means anyone without a local store is stuck paying reseller prices or settling for pricier alternatives. That’s your advantage.

Visit your local Trader Joe’s and head straight to the seasonal section near the front. Most stores restocked these in early November, but they’re moving fast. If your store is out, ask when the next shipment arrives. These calendars tend to come in waves through early December.

Look for the colorful boxes showing dogs or cats tangled in Christmas lights. They’re about 10 inches tall and feature 24 numbered windows. Grab as many as your store allows, but keep in mind some locations have purchase limits during high-demand periods.

List these on eBay at $18-20 including shipping. After eBay’s 13% fees and $4-5 shipping costs, you’re clearing $4-6 profit per calendar. Not massive, but it’s reliable money that adds up fast if you can source multiple units.

The sweet spot is hitting 3-4 stores in your area and grabbing 5-10 calendars per location. That’s $40-60 profit for a couple hours of work. Time-wise, these flip quickly because pet parents are actively searching for advent calendars right now.

These sell best from mid-November through the first week of December. After that, buyers realize they’ve missed too many days and demand drops. The ideal play is sourcing now and listing immediately.

Keep in mind Trader Joe’s seasonal items sell out fast. The 12 Days of Beauty calendar disappeared before Thanksgiving in most markets. Pet calendars might last slightly longer since they’re less hyped, but don’t sleep on this if you’ve got stores nearby.

These are final sale at most stores, so confirm your location’s return policy before buying in bulk. That said, the downside risk is minimal. Worst case, you’re stuck with $8 pet calendars that you can gift or donate. The treats don’t expire until April 2026, giving you plenty of runway.

The real risk is oversaturation. If too many resellers flood the market, prices could drop to $12-15, cutting your margins to $1-2 per unit. Monitor eBay’s active listings before going deep on inventory.

This is a solid, low-risk flip for anyone with access to multiple Trader Joe’s locations. The profit per unit won’t change your life, but the volume opportunity is real if you can move 20-30 calendars. Pet parents will keep buying these all month long, and TJ’s store-only distribution creates built-in demand for resellers.