Photo credits: BarkBox
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Have you heard your friends talking about pet subscription boxes, or have you come across information about them online? Are you wondering if they are worth considering for your dog? Would it be too expensive? Would my dog use the products? Would it clutter up the house? These are all valid questions. In this article, I will elaborate on the pros and cons, and I’ll also share my ultimate decision at the end.
What is BarkBox?
BarkBox is a popular pet subscription box that includes two original toys, two bags of treats, and a chew. The box is delivered to your home every month, and each box has its own theme. You can customize your boxes if your dog has any allergies or if there are specific toys you don’t want your dog to have. If your dog doesn’t like a product, the Bark Team will be happy to assist and send a replacement package.
BarkBox creates its own unique toys that align with monthly themes. Some of the themes include “Chewrassic Bark,” and “Vikings of Valhowla.” The company puts a lot of time, effort, and creativity into the themes, aiming to ensure that both your dog and you will enjoy them.
The other two items in the box are high-quality treats made without corn, wheat, or soy and contain chicken, beef, or turkey meat. If your dog has any allergies to specific ingredients, you can customize the boxes to compensate.
Photo credits: BarkBox
What Comes in a BarkBox?
BarkBox comes with 2 creatively themed toys, 2 bags of customizable treats, and a chew. Of course you have the option to upgrade and receive more items or you can swap out items for more preferred items such as more toys or more treats.
Toys
The toys offer a wide variety and uniqueness, with materials including textured fabrics, ballistic nylon, soft faux fur, short fuzz, and more. There are plenty of creative squeaky toys like the “Shred Velvet Cake,” which has a wrap that the dog can open to reveal squeaky rubber pancakes to chew on.
Photo credits: BarkBox
If your dog quickly destroys things, consider the Super Chewer Box. It is designed to last longer for strong chewers. You can also add an extra toy to your boxes with the Extra Toy Club subscription, which is a great choice for dog owners with multiple dogs. There is also the Double Deluxe option, where you can double everything that comes in a regular box, so you get twice as much fun!
Photo credits: BarkBox
Treats
BarkBox offers a chew and all-natural treats that are grain-free and made with only a few ingredients. I appreciate this because I always check ingredients when choosing food for myself. It’s reassuring to know that these treats are healthy and designed to accommodate specific dog dietary needs.
Several options are available, such as Swimmy Jerky Bites containing wild-caught salmon, Baa Baa Biscuits made with grass-fed lamb, and Wakey Wakey Biscuits with real syrup and bacon. BarkBox works with American and Canadian vendors who use only fresh, quality ingredients in their recipes to promote long-lasting health for your dog.
Photo credits: BarkBox
How Does BarkBox Work?
When signing up for BarkBox, you’ll need to provide basic information about your dog, such as their name, breed, weight, and whether they’re a good boy or girl. After that, you can customize your box to include more toys and fewer treats, or the other way around. You’ll also have the option to upgrade your box to include double the toys and treats.
If your dog has any allergies to chicken, beef, or turkey, or specific dietary restrictions, the BarkBox Happy Team can help customize the options for you. Once you and your dog decide on the perfect box, you can set up a subscription for home delivery, so you won’t have to hassle with going to the pet store again.
The majority of Bark Boxes arrive within 5 days, so you and your best friend can waste no time opening the box together to uncover the cute and creatively themed toys. However, beware! Your dog may grow accustomed to thinking every box you get is a BarkBox. Nevertheless, opening a BarkBox is something you can look forward to and enjoy every month with your dog.
Themes
Here are a few examples of the themes BarkBox has to offer. This is my favorite part about the company. As you can tell, they take the time to come up with fun and creative ideas that you and your dog will never get bored of.
Photo credits: BarkBox
Photo credits: BarkBox
Photo credits: BarkBox
Photo credits: BarkBox
How Much is a BarkBox Subscription?
BarBox subscriptions are priced at $22/month for a 12-month subscription, $25/ month for a 6-month subscription, and $35/month for a regular monthly subscription. Additionally, single boxes can be gifted to friends with dogs and shipping is completely free.
Photo credits: BarkBox
BarkBox Pros and Cons
Pros
- Monthly themes
- Fully customizable boxes
- Nutritionist-crafted food
- Unique toys every month
Cons
- Toys can start to get cluttered
- Gets expensive over time
Is BarkBox worth it?
If you want to treat your dog to a subscription box, BarkBox is my top choice compared to other similar services. They offer a box that you and your furry friend can enjoy together, making it something to look forward to every month. BarkBox’s customization options make it suitable for any dog’s needs.
The subscription service may not be suitable for you if your dog isn’t interested in the toys or treats, or if your dog only plays with the toys once and then ignores them. Additionally, having too many toys around the house can lead to clutter as well as uneaten treats that are not used up within the month. Subscription costs can accumulate over time, and if your dog doesn’t have an interest in the toys or treats, it could end up being a waste of money.
I’d suggest giving BarkBox a try for a month if you’re undecided. This way, you can see if your dog enjoys the treats and toys. If it’s a hit, you can consider keeping the subscription. BarkBox is a wonderful company that takes pride in providing great services for our furry friends and makes the boxes engaging, fun, and cute for you and your dog to look forward to.
Sources
Towers, P. (2021, December 17). What comes in a barkbox?. BARK Post. https://post.bark.co/products/what-comes-in-a-barkbox/#
Erb, S. (2022, March 22). Is Barkbox Worth it? what comes inside, pricing, & more. BARK Post. https://post.bark.co/products/is-barkbox-worth-it/
Baa Baa Biscuits & swimmy jerky bites bundle. BARK. (n.d.). https://bark.co/products/baa-baa-biscuits-swimmy-jerky-bites-bundle
Wakey Wakey soft baked biscuits. BARK. (n.d.-b). https://bark.co/products/wakey-wakey-biscuits
Towers, P. (2021a, December 17). What comes in a barkbox?: Bark. BARK Post. https://post.bark.co/products/what-comes-in-barkbox/
Barkbox 12 month subscription. BARK. (n.d.-b). https://bark.co/products/barkbox-12-month-v2?variant=40209478189143
Monthly themes. (n.d.-c). https://www.barkbox.com/themes/
FAQs
Is BarkBox Worth it?
It is ultimately up to you to decide if the service is worth it, as it depends on many factors. Your dog needs to enjoy the treats and toys, and you need to consider the amount of toys that will be lying around, especially if you don’t have adequate storage. Clutter can be an issue. Also, the price is something to take into account, especially if you add more items or upgrade your boxes.
I believe it’s worth trying out because you receive excellent customer service, fun and creative toys with different monthly themes, and healthy treats. Even if your dog doesn’t like it, you can at least try it for a month and if you’re not satisfied, the 24/7 customer service team is happy to make things right. Overall, it offers great value for the content you receive, and you’ll become a member of the BarkBox community.
When Do I receive the Boxes?
When you place an order with BarkBox, your package will ship on the 15th of every month. Delivery in the U.S. can take anywhere from 2 to 8 business days. For first-time buyers, if you order before the 28th of any month, your box will ship in the same month.
What Comes in a BarkBox
BarkBox includes 2 durable toys, 2 big bags of treats, and a chew, with a different theme every month. These toys and treats are specially selected based on the size of your dog, which you provide at sign-up. You can personalize the items to suit your dog’s preferences. If you prefer more toys instead of treats, or vice versa, they can be seamlessly swapped out because BarkBox’s customer service is all about making you and your pup happy. Additionally, you have the option to add extra items to your order.
