Whether your dog is bored with their current toys or you find their favorites regularly torn to bits, the best dog subscription boxes are an excellent way to discover new favorites. These curated boxes are tailored to your pup's unique preferences and needs. There are boxes for pint-sized pups, large dogs, and super chewers.
I asked a professional dog trainer and a veterinarian what pet owners should consider when choosing toys and treats for their dogs. Then I researched popular subscription boxes before landing on seven services to test with my 50-pound pit mix Lyla, who easily destroys her toys.
My top pick is PupJoy, which had the highest quality toys among the boxes I tested. The company offers customizable and pre-built boxes with treats and toys that are durable enough to withstand my tough chewer.
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Our top picks for the best dog subscription boxes
Best variety: BarkBox
Best customizable: PupJoy
Best for food enrichment: Puppercrust
Best with accessories: PupBox
Best for a good cause: Rescue Box
Best for chewers: Bullymake
Best treats: Pooch Perks
Best variety
This box's creative pop culture and seasonal themes will have you and your dog excited for every delivery.
What we like
What we don't like
As one of the original subscription boxes for dogs, BarkBox has made a name for itself with creative toy and treat selections. It's also a great choice for most dogs. Each month, toys are based on specific themes, including popular movies and TV shows, holidays, and seasons.
I appreciated that the toys in my box often served dual purposes, such as doubling as a tug and puzzle toy. This allowed us to get more use out of toys that weren't very durable. Lyla also enjoyed the treats — the oatmeal and cheesy soft-baked biscuits earned a few tail wags every time I opened the packages.
With BarkBox, the spotlight is mainly on the toys. The boxes often contain the same treats, so you shouldn't expect to see a lot of variety with those. Because BarkBox toys aren't very durable, it's not the best choice for dogs who are powerful chewers. The brand offers a Super Chewer Box, which you can read about in my full BarkBox review.
Best customizable
With pre-built and customizable boxes, PupJoy is the best option with high-quality toys suitable for both light and heavy chewers.
What we like
What we don't like
PupJoy took the top spot because of the variety of high-quality plush and chew toys and tasty treats that fill its boxes. You can choose from pre-built and customizable boxes for small, medium, and large dogs. PupJoy also delivers pre-built boxes tailored to heavy chewers. Boxes feature several types of toys, including stuffed and tug toys, rubber chews, balls, and puzzles.
Our pre-built box included a large duck tug toy and a squeaky bouncy ball. Lyla loved playing with the toys, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much they withstood her heavy chewing and tugging. The treats were a hit with Lyla, too. Every time I gave her one, she gobbled it up.
The packaged treats included nutrition information on their labels, but the bully sticks lacked these details, something that's ideal to see with any dog treat. I also wish PupJoy offered themed boxes around seasons and holidays. Those would make a nice addition to the brand's already excellent lineup.
Best for food enrichment
TK
Best with accessories
This box is filled with a variety of durable toys, treats, and extras like training guides and accessories.
What we like
What we don't like
The best dog subscription boxes can be pricey, but PupBox is a great option if you're looking to spend less but get more. While its boxes are a few dollars more than BarkBox's, each one comes with five to seven items, including toys, treats, and an accessory like a bandana or leash, plus a training guide. PupBox selects toys based on your dog's age, so puppies may receive teething toys, while adult dogs get items like larger tug toys.
The toys I received in the Halloween-themed box were well-designed. The ball chew toy was sturdy, and its squeaker got Lyla excited. The cloth mummy withstood many intense tug sessions. In line with the spooky theme, I received a skeleton-print bandana. PupJoy also includes a training card in every box, a nice touch that offers helpful tips for bonding with your dog.
The treat selection was average compared to other subscription boxes. Its exclusive Full Moon Munchers treats were also dry and a bit stale, even though they were packaged in an airtight bag.
Best for a good cause
You help support pups in need when you order these boxes of unique toys and treats.
What we like
What we don't like
If you want to treat your dog and support a good cause while you do it, Rescue Box is the way to go. You can purchase this box at the Animal Rescue Site by Greater Good, a nonprofit organization that donates a portion of sales to various animal shelters. These proceeds go toward providing food and care for the animals at the shelters.
Lyla and I loved the toys in this box: We received two durable stuffed toys — a moose and a soda plush toy — that held up surprisingly well to her rough play style. The toys contained minimal stuffing, making cleanup a breeze when she inevitably tore them apart.
I'd like to have seen nutrition information included with all of the treats. I ultimately felt comfortable giving them to Lyla, but other pet parents may not feel the same way.
Best for chewers
Tough chewers will meet their match with this box that features the sturdiest toys around.
What we like
What we don't like
Bullymake is hands down the best dog subscription box for aggressive chewers. Each box contains a mix of tug toys, treat-dispensing toys, and chew toys made from durable materials like ballistic nylon, nylon, rubber, and rope. In addition to exclusive Bullymake treats, you can expect to occasionally see treats from other brands.
I loved how the toys were both versatile and durable. My dog is a pit mix with a strong jaw and a stronger determination to destroy all her toys, but she couldn't break any of the Bullymake toys. The box included chew, tug, and puzzle toys that made for exceptionally varied play. The items were based on an adorable Halloween theme, which made unpacking the box even more fun.
Potential subscribers should know that Bullymake is more expensive than many dog toy subscription services. Additionally, some boxes may contain hard nylon toys, but veterinarians recommend avoiding toys that you can't indent with your fingernail. If you're considering giving your dog particularly hard toys, it's important to talk to your vet about the risk of tooth damage. You can also check out the best dog toys for aggressive chewers for excellent options that passed our fingernail test.
Best treats
Not only can you customize this box for your dog's size and chew strength, but you can also request treats to accommodate any food sensitivities and allergies they may have.
What we like
What we don't like
If your pup has food sensitivities or allergies, it can be difficult to find an appropriate subscription box because many services don't offer this level of customization. That's where Pooch Perks comes in. It offers an impressive variety of customization options: You can choose from durable or plush toys for your dog's box and request treats with or without specific ingredients. The boxes are tailored to a dog's size, and there's a wide range of prepaid subscription options.
Lyla and I instantly liked the treats included in her box. The brand does a great job of sourcing a wide variety of dog treats, and Lyla loved the beef jerky chews, biscuits, and specialty chicken jerky chew tucked in the box.
I tested the plush toys box, and while they were popular with Lyla, they weren't the best I've seen. They were easy to damage when I simulated lighter play before handing them over to my super chewer. A few threads broke off one of the toys when I scratched it with a dinner fork. The brand offers a durable toy box for more aggressive pups, though I didn't consider it for this guide.
What to look for in dog subscription boxes
Before buying a dog subscription box, you'll want to consider a few things. Most boxes include both toys and treats, but some are specifically designed for small or large breeds and may not be suitable for every pup. The experts I interviewed also provided some advice on what to look for in a box for your dog.
Treats: Treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of your dog's diet, says Dr. Mondrian Contreras, veterinarian and owner of Carol Stream Animal Hospital. It's also best to slowly introduce new treats into your dog's diet to ensure they don't experience any adverse reactions, like an upset stomach. I also recommend treats with the ingredients and nutritional information printed on the label so you know exactly what you're feeding your dog.
Toys: Erin Askeland, a certified professional dog trainer and senior manager of program development for Camp Bow Wow, says the best dog toys will differ for each pup, but generally, sturdier toys are better. She also prefers toys that lack additional parts, such as small sewn-on buttons and googly eyes that are easy to swallow.
My sources also advise against toys you can't indent with a fingernail, as they can damage a dog's teeth. For super chewers, durable rubber is a good option because it can often withstand strong jaws, but smaller pups will have more trouble with these heavy-duty toys. Ideally, the best dog subscription box services provide options for pups small and large, with appropriate toys for their size and chew strength.
Individual preferences: The best subscription box is the one that suits your pup's needs and preferences. Selecting toys can be especially challenging. It's a good idea to start with a one-time box purchase before committing to a subscription. "Sometimes there's a little bit of trial and error involved," Askeland says.
How we tested the best dog subscription boxes
I tested seven popular subscription boxes that included both toys and treats. While a few brands sent me more than one box, I evaluated only one from each service for this guide.
Quality and durability of toys: Before handing the toys over to my 50-pound super chewer, Lyla, I tested their durability with a fork to see how they would likely stand up to a smaller dog who chews less intensely. I also timed how long it took Lyla to destroy the toys. Since she chews so aggressively, boxes with toys that lasted a few days scored highly. Toys also earned points for tough materials like nylon mesh, which is more durable than polyester.
Toy safety: Veterinarians recommend avoiding exceptionally hard toys or items filled with small bits of plastic that can pose a choking hazard. For this reason, I gave extra points to toys I could indent with a fingernail and ones filled with soft stuffing instead of crinkly materials. In this guide, I've disclosed any instances where toys didn't meet these standards.
Quality and safety of treats: While I considered my dog's treat preferences during testing, I gave more weight to treats clearly labeled with nutrition information. Treats with transparent nutrition and ingredient information scored highly, while those with little to no information lost points.
Variety: The boxes I recommend include something for every dog. Boxes with a variety of toys scored well in my testing. I also evaluated the variety of treats. However, most boxes contained a similar mix of biscuits and small meaty bites, so they factored into my evaluation less.
Price: I compared the contents of each box to similar products sold by major pet retailers. Then, I calculated the per-box prices of single, six-month, and twelve-month subscription plans and compared them to the cost of a month's worth of toy and treat purchases from those retailers. I also tracked how long the toys and treats lasted compared to what I usually buy for my dog. Boxes that didn't provide better value were scored lower.
Packaging: I deducted points if boxes had excessive packaging. This included individually wrapped toys and treats, oversized plastic product tags, and packing materials such as tissue paper.
Giving back and sustainability: I gave bonus points to boxes with verifiable ties to shelters or sustainability initiatives.
Theme: For themed boxes, I evaluated whether the theme was cohesive among the toys and treats.
Dog subscription box FAQs
Are dog subscription boxes worth it?
It depends. One of the best dog subscription boxes could be a perfect fit for your pup, depending on their preferences, but because most boxes are pre-built, it might be hard to get exactly what your dog likes. If you shop for toys and treats yourself, you may be more likely to find toys they love rather than gambling on a box. However, the subscription boxes I tested are all solid options, and my dog enjoyed all the treats and toys. For me, these boxes are more than worth it.
Which dog subscription is the best?
My top picks cater to different preferences, but the best boxes feature interactive, safe toys that encourage you to play with your pup. These toys may be treat-dispensing puzzles, durable tug toys, or simple plushies, but they should be free of small, easy-to-swallow pieces and very hard plastic. Askeland says that playtime with your dog is essential, and while you may not need to actively play with something like a puzzle toy, making time for your dog each day is good for both of you. "Even if you can do 5 to 10 minutes of play a day with you actually physically playing with them, that's just a great thing to do for them, for their brains, and a nice break for you, too," she says.
Is there a dog subscription box for multiple dogs?
If you have a household with more than one dog, I recommend purchasing multiple boxes to prevent competition over toys and treats. But if your dogs happily share their toys and treats, one box might be enough.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
