Key Takeaways
- There are various subscription box services that are designed to surprise and delight dogs.
- Examples are Pupjoy, BarkBox, Pooch Perks, and BullyMake.
- Each service has unique offerings, costs, and terms.
Table of Contents
There is nothing like coming home and finding a surprise present waiting for you, so imagine when present is for your dog – it’s a recipe for instant joy! After scouring the internet for dog subscription boxes, I discovered some of the best of the best out there. Below, find them broken down so you know which one will fit your pup’s preferences best, sampled on my own little dog, Luna.
Pupjoy: Happiness in a Box
Website: pupjoy.com
What it is: PupJoy focuses on artisanal, unique, and expressly joyful box goodies. They want your doggo happy and they curate treats and toys from indie suppliers so the quality is top notch and the company remains socially responsible. They say, “We are a personalized, modern concierge model for dog parents that combines the best of quality, convenience and value with custom ordering and to-your-door delivery.”
Cost & Terms: Pupjoy is super customizable when it comes to what goes in the box, as well as when you’d like to receive it. The prices range from $23 to $44 per box, based on selected options of Box Size, Treat Preference, and Number of Boxes (cost per box and total cost are calculated in the Number of Boxes section). You can save with multi-box plans, and there is a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Plus, they donate $2 on every single order to the BISSELL Pet Foundation, which supports over 3,000 rescue organizations, so you can feel good across the board. They offer referral deals and holiday savings, so be on the lookout for special discounts at signup.
The Verdict: First and foremost, these treats went over very well with my dog. We got three different meaty, organic bags of goodness – GivePet’s Campfire Feast, Scout & Zoe’s Cheddar Bacon Treats, and HavePaws’ Jerky Chips – as well as Pupjoy’s Brewing Treat Dispenser (way more popular in my house than the Kong) and the cutest little Hippo Snail (completely destroyed within 24 hours, unfortunately). All in all, this box catered to my dog’s size and interests, plus with continued concern over mass produced toys and pet food, I was relieved to see smaller businesses who crafted either their treats or toys in-house. Nothing imported with questionable chemicals. Solid four paws up!
BarkBox: The Gold Standard
Website: barkbox.com
What it is: BarkBox is a themed collection of treats and toys delivered every month – we’ve seen Peanut Butter lovers, Lunar New Year, “Barkfest,” and more. Each box has at least two innovative toys, two all-natural bags of treats, and a chew curated around each month’s uniquely-themed collection.
Cost & Terms: Signup is a snap online; you simply choose your dog’s size then select your monthly plan ($21/month for 12 months; $25/month for 6 months; $29/month for 1 month). You can add in an extra toy for a little bit more, and you’re free to cancel at any time. They, too, have holiday and monthly specials, so check back often, or make sure their emails are hitting your inbox.
The Verdict: Full disclosure, I am already a BarkBox subscriber. And to further note, I had to snap that picture as fast as I could before my puppers went to TOWN on it (an apt pun considering the month we surveyed was “New York” themed). Every month has been consistently adorable, edible, and fantastically fun. The treats are well-received and the toys last for at least a couple months (I have a BarkBox Halloween toy that is still squeakin’!). It’s also affordable at $21 a month, so you can still have a lot of fun with your dog without breaking the bank.
Pooch Perks: Pamper Your Pup
Website: poochperks.com
What it is: With a focus on ‘pampering’ your dog with treats and goodies galore, Pooch Perks boxes come stuffed full of all-natural, USA-made treats and toys your dog is going to love (and chew). The standard shipment contains 4 to 5 products total.
Pooch Perks gives back as well! They donate a portion of your subscription cost to help abused and neglected pups, and have a strong rescue component to their business.
Cost & Terms: The rundown is as follows – ‘Popular’ Pooch box is $27.95; ‘Custom’ Pooch box is $37.95 and the ‘Sample’ Pooch is $11.95. They offer 1-, 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription packages with multiple billing options including monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly. There are refer-a-friend deals and you can cancel at any time.
The Verdict: This is an absolutely solid subscription box and I was pretty psyched to get a sample of doggy toothpaste in our box. The treats were off-the-beaten-path: we got a freeze-dried fish puff from PureFormance and a sweet AppleBerry cookie from Down Dog Snacks (yes, I tried them myself, they’re a little bland but overall, kinda tasty). There’s no obvious option to reorder successful items from past boxes directly from Pooch Perks, so you’d probably be best off googling your favorites to replace direct from the brand on the bag or toy.
BullyMake: The Box for ‘Power Chewers’
Website: bullymake.com
What it is: Each box contains 5 or 6 toys and treats: 2-3 extremely rough and tough chew toys and 3-4 delicious and nutritious treats, including toys manufactured by Bullymake. The boxes cater to “power-chewing breeds” such as pit bulls, bulldogs, Great Danes, Labradors, golden retrievers, mastiffs, boxers, Rottweilers, beagles, Boston terriers, “and EVERYTHING in between.” As you check out, you specify your dog’s weight as well as any allergies. They claim their toys are the toughest around, and they back it up with a 14-day guarantee.
Cost & Terms: $39 per month (Bonus – a $5 off your first box coupon pops up when you visit the site for the first time) with graduated discounts for longer subscriptions; cancel subscriptions at any time.
Verdict: While my dog may be small, her chompers are mighty! This box had the best turnaround in terms of how long the toys (and treats) endured abuse – we received some heavy-duty chew toys (check out the April 2017 box to see the yellow solid ‘Hexbone’, and a bacon ‘Bullibone’) and the action shot above shows major movement on that chewy rope, as well as delicious treats like the Chewzzies. Of all the boxes, this is the one where I saw the most bang for the buck because this stuff will last!
When you love your pets like family – so much so that you sign them up for their own special subscription box – you have their best interest in mind. So, don’t forget to protect them with dog insurance! Healthy Paws is the #1 customer-rated pet health insurance plan and offers unlimited coverage for accidents and illnesses. Get your free quote today.
