The Met Police has released a list of 10 of the worst calls, including one about where to get a bacon sandwich.
Devon and Cornwall Police received a call from a man complaining he was "ripped off" by a prostitute.
Police said inappropriate calls increased waiting times for callers who genuinely needed help.
Other nuisance calls to the Met included one from a woman who wanted officers to deal with a couple of noisy foxes outside her home and a man whose 50p coin was stuck in a laundrette washing machine and who wanted police to retrieve it.
London Fire Brigade tweeted they were called to help a kitten that had a tambourine stuck on its head, using the tweet as part of a social media campaign to drive down nuisance calls.
Devon and Cornwall Police also spoke to a woman whose false nail had fallen off, another about a racing pigeon in her garden and a man who wanted the police to deliver a pizza.
The public is urged to contact police via email in non-emergency situations.
Ch Supt Pippa Mills, of the Met, said: "Callers who do not have an emergency may prevent others who require our immediate assistance from getting through to us.
"This presents a real risk to our ability to respond to genuine emergency calls."
Ten time-wasting calls made to the Met Police:
Complaints about cold kebabs and clowns overcharging for balloons were just some of the ridiculous 999 calls made across England over the festive period.