We all love providing our pets with enrichment, and dog subscriptions make it easy, delivering the best treats, toys and other goodies to suit your pup’s needs and preferences. The best dog subscription boxes offer adequate customization along with items that you can consistently trust—and that your pup will love. After consulting pet experts for guidance on the highest-quality treats and toys, we crowned BarkBox as the best dog subscription box overall, thanks to its vet-approved treats, toy variety and customization options.
One major benefit of dog subscription boxes is the variety that keeps your pet interested. “Novelty often makes toys more exciting and more fun to play with,” says certified dog trainer and behavior consultant Juliana DeWillems. She emphasizes the importance of activity as part of a dog’s healthy lifestyle. “Play can reduce a dog’s stress levels, help them decompress after stressful or exciting events and bring a shy or anxious dog out of their shell.”
Our Top Recommendations
- Best Dog Subscription Box Overall: BarkBox
- Best Dog Subscription Box For Puppies: PupBox
- Best Dog Subscription Box For Multiple Dogs: Pooch Perks Pampered Pooch Box
- Best Customizable Dog Subscription Box: BoxDog Seasonal Subscription Boxes
- Best Dog Subscription Box For Heavy Chewers: Bullymake Box
- Best Dog Subscription Box For A Good Cause: RescueBox
Best Dog Subscription Box Overall
Base price: $24 per month | Shipping: $4.99 | Includes: 2 toys, 2 bags of treats and 1 surprise item
What we love:
- A theme for each box
- All-natural treats
- Super Chewer box available
Keep in mind:
- Customization is minimal
BarkBox is a popular pick among dog owners for its fun themed boxes that change every month, making each delivery even more delightful. Each box includes two toys, two treat bags and a surprise item, but there are a few customization options within that framework. When signing up for an account, users input their dog’s size, food allergies and preferences for soft or hard toys (or a combination of both), and then BarkBox provides featured items accordingly. There’s also a Super Chewer subscription box, designed for pups that are heavier chewers and require more toys with more durability.
BarkBox treats change every month, and they can come in the form of soft bakes, jerky bars or crunchy biscuits. All of the treats included in BarkBox packages are made with real meat, vegetables and vitamins, without any added artificial colors or dyes. Popular options like the Meat Hunks have meat as the first ingredient and no preservatives, plus they’re soft enough to break into pieces for training purposes—all features recommended by Dr. Ezra Ameis, a veterinarian with Paw Priority in Los Angeles. “I always look for treats with short, simple ingredient lists—ideally whole proteins like chicken, beef or salmon as the first ingredient,” says Ameis. “The fewer fillers and additives, the better.”
Just keep in mind that outside of noted allergens and general preferences, you can’t choose what will be in each BarkBox delivery; the brand will make each month’s selections for you.
Best Dog Subscription Box For Puppies
Designed To Support Each Stage Of Growth
Base price: $29 per month | Shipping: Free | Includes: 5 to 7 products, including treats, toys, chews and training guides
What we love:
- Designed with puppy owners in mind
- Training guides included for each phase of growth
- Options for senior dogs available
Keep in mind:
- A random assortment of goods that varies from box to box
Bringing a puppy home can be both exciting and overwhelming. At such a young age, dogs require extra attention and lots of play time. That’s why PupBox was founded—it’s designed with puppies in mind, delivering toys, treats, chews, accessories and even training guides to match their unique stage of development. There are four box types to suit major life stages, and the Puppy (newborn to 6 months) and Young Pup (7 to 18 months) options are ideal for those key stages of development.
When it comes to treats for puppies, Ameis says it’s important to focus on safety and digestibility. “Treats should be soft or easily broken into very small pieces—their teeth and jaws are still developing, and their digestive systems are more sensitive,” says Ameis. “Avoid rich, fatty treats, which can upset their stomachs.” A great example is the Healthybud Natural Beef Lung treats, which consist of a single ingredient and are easy to break into small pieces for training purposes.
Each PupDog box includes a variety of five to seven products: an assortment of treats, toys, chews, accessories and training guides. However, the number of each product type changes in every delivery, so if your pup prefers extra treats or chews, there’s no way to know what to expect in that month’s box.
Best Dog Subscription Box For Multiple Dogs
Plenty Of Fun And Treats To Go Around
Base price: $49.99 per month | Shipping: $2 | Includes: 3 to 4 toys, 3 bags of treats, 2 chews, 1 accessory and 1 roll of waste bags
What we love:
- Each box includes diverse range of products
- Bimonthly subscription model offered
- USA-sourced, few-ingredient treats
Keep in mind:
- Sizing only accounts for one dog
If you have multiple dogs at home, it can be crucial to ensure you have adequate toys at home in order to limit or avoid resource guarding among animals. “Scarcity—limited resources available among the dogs—can exacerbate resource guarding,” DeWillems explains. “So in some cases, simply having enough toys for everyone keeps group play harmonious.”
This is where a dog subscription box like the Pooch Perks Pampered Pooch Box, designed with multiple-dog households in mind, comes in handy. Each box features up to 11 items, providing plenty of toys and tasty treats to go around. And all deliveries follow a unique monthly theme, so you don’t have to worry about receiving the same product twice. Plus, the brand’s treats are made in the United States, and those with minimal, grain-free ingredients are prioritized.
DeWillems adds that if there’s a history of resource guarding among the dogs in your home, it may be best to separate them before distributing toys in order to keep everyone safe. “Gates, pens, and closed doors are the best way to do this,” she says. “Play is so important for dogs, so you don’t want to eliminate toys altogether—but you do want to make sure playtime is safe and controlled.”
Best Customizable Dog Subscription Box
Monthly Selections Chosen By Your Dog's Best Friend (You)
Base price: $45 per month | Shipping: $7 | Includes: 2 to 3 toys or pieces of dog gear, 2 bags of treats, 1 chew or skincare item
What we love:
- Each box is hand-chosen by owners
- Handmade cookies and other healthy treats
- Grain-free options for dogs with restrictions
Keep in mind:
- Monthly options are limited
If your pup is very particular, you may appreciate the ability to build your own box that you know they’ll love. That’s exactly what BoxDog offers: After you choose between two box sizes, you get to customize each monthly box to best suit their preferences. “Large item” options range from toys to dog gear (like human backpacks), and add-on options include the brand’s signature handmade cookies—which are human-grade with just five recognizable ingredients—and other healthy treats like freeze-dried chicken breast.
Ameis highly recommends keeping dog treats simple and consistent, especially over time: “As an ER vet I see eight to ten GI cases a day of dogs with vomiting or severe diarrhea. Many of these episodes can be traced back to a ‘new’ food item or treat,” he says. “Dogs have sensitive stomachs and are prone to pancreatitis, so I generally recommend keeping things fairly consistent.”
Best Dog Subscription Box For Heavy Chewers
Durable Toys Designed To Keep Up With Your "Power Chewer"
Base price: $29 per month | Shipping: $4 | Includes: 2 to 3 toys and 3 bags of treats
What we love:
- Durable toys designed to withstand heavy chewers
- Grain-free treats
- Ability to choose type of toy(s) your dog prefers
Keep in mind:
- Some subscribers have reported issues with cancellation
If your dog is constantly destroying toys in record time, it might be time to invest in something more durable. According to DeWillems, this behavior isn’t something that should be discouraged by owners, just better supported. “Destroying toys can often be a really important outlet for normal dog behaviors like chewing, shredding and ripping,” she says. “Giving them more opportunities to do this can be beneficial for their overall mental health and well-being (and can save your throw pillows, shoes or your child’s favorite stuffed animal).”
A Bullymake Box subscription is a great way to support your pup’s chewing habit; this brand ships toys and chews “designed for power chewers.” Each box contains two to three toys made of durable materials like nylon, rubber or rope to ensure they stand up to your pup’s sharp teeth and resilient playtime. There’s an option to customize your account in line with your dog’s toy preferences—you can choose from rubber, nylon, plush, rope and ballistic types—so you always receive something that excites them. Each box also comes with three bags of grain-free treats, and certain allergies can be accommodated. Subscribers can also opt for a “toys-only” box if they prefer.
Best Dog Subscription Box For A Good Cause
A Delivery For Your Pup That Gives Back To Rescues
Base price: $29.95 per month | Shipping: Free | Includes: 5 items
What we love:
- Options for three dog sizes
- Proceeds each box go toward feeding shelter animals
- Each box has a fun theme
Keep in mind:
- No customization options beyond dog size
While you’re treating your four-legged friend, you can also help other pups in need: RescueBox is partnered with The Animal Rescue Site, working together to feed up to 60 shelter animals with each box purchase, so subscribers can feel satisfied knowing the joy doesn’t end with their own pet’s well-being.
There are three dog subscription offers for different sized pups (plus a cat subscription option), and each box includes five products—a variety of toys, treats and chews—that add up to a $40 value and up. Each box has its own fun theme so your pup will never get bored. The only downside with this subscription is that, beyond dog size, there are no customization options available. So if you’ve got a picky pup, you won’t be able to handpick their favorite toys or select from allergen-friendly treats in each delivery.
We tapped veterinary and animal behavior experts for their expertise as well as Forbes Vetted staff who have used dog subscription boxes, plus pored through customer reviews to decide which services are worth it.
We took convenience, customization and quality into account when determining the best dog subscription boxes on the market.
Treats are an important part of a pup’s life. According to Ameis, they’re rewarding for both dogs and their owners. “They strengthen the bond and make training more enjoyable.” However, just like any other part of your dog’s diet, treats should be nutritious and given in moderation. When considering the right subscription box, Ameis recommends looking for ones that offer treats with short and simple ingredient lists. Even better: options with a protein source like chicken or salmon as the first ingredient.
Additionally, it’s best to stay consistent with the types of treats you’re giving to your dog—especially as a puppy—since they have sensitive tummies that can react poorly to dietary changes. That’s why it’s best to go with a subscription service that reliably ships healthy, nutritious treats with consistent ingredients.
When it comes to chews, it’s crucial to prioritize safety with size and texture. “The chew should be large enough that it can’t be swallowed whole, and it should have some ‘give’ when you press your fingernail into it," Ameis says. “Rock-hard chews can fracture teeth.” He recommends avoiding rawhides and instead oping for bully sticks, tendons or toys made of rubber or nylon—like what’s offered in Bullymake boxes.
Dog toys are rarely one-size-fits-all; each pup has their own preference for play. “My recommendation is to observe your dog closely and see what type of toys your dog gravitates to,” DeWillems says. “Start by buying one of each toy type—rope, plush, balls, plastic—and see which one your dog seems to engage with and choose the most.”
This is where dog subscription boxes can come in handy—especially when an owner is still getting to know their dog’s behaviors—as they typically come with a wide variety of dog toys. From there, dog subscription boxes with customization options (including the choice between soft and hard toys, like BarkBox offers) are best. That way, you won’t end up with toys that just collect dust.
If your pup is on the picky side, it may be better to opt for a subscription option like BoxDog, which allows owners to hand-select each box’s contents.
The best dog subscription boxes offer some level of customization, whether that be items catered toward a dog’s size or age, product preferences or entirely handpicked selections.
More customization isn’t always better; it’s all up to preference. If your dog is happy to play with any type of toy, as long as it’s new, you may not need to look for a highly customizable option. It may be more convenient to be hands-off, letting the service provide selections without the need to regularly make changes to the monthly shipment.
However, if you struggle to find toys to entice your pup—or if you’re looking for specific treats that will accommodate their dietary restrictions—subscriptions with more customization options are best.
The Forbes Vetted team is full of pet owners and animal lovers who are committed to helping readers find the best products to spoil their four-legged friends, from dog beds to automatic litter boxes.