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BarkBox Subscription Box Review + Coupon – August 2016

Eric Cadman
ByEric CadmanAug 23, 2016 | 12 comments

Barkbox August 2016 - 1

BarkBox
3.9 overall rating
115 Ratings | 53 Reviews

BarkBox is a monthly subscription box for dogs. It’s one of our favorite subscription boxes – our dog loves it, and we’ve gifted it to dogs in our extended family as well!

BarkBox customizes your box to your dog’s size. For reference, this review is for the small size (our dog weighs 14 pounds). Check out Ragan's review of this month's box for large dogs!

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Barkbox August 2016 - 2

The Subscription Box: BarkBox

The Cost: $29 a month, or $19 a month with a 12-month subscription.

The Products: Toys, treats, and grooming products perfect for your dog based on their size.

Ships to: US and Canada

Keep track of your subscriptions –  add BarkBox to your subscription list or wish list!

Check out all my reviews of Barkbox and the Pets Subscription Box Directory!

Barkbox August 2016 - 4

Barkbox August 2016 - 3

I thought their packing insert sheet was pretty cool this month. It really reminds me of a Where's Waldo page!

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This month's info sheet cracked me up. It's made to look like US Weekly to play off of their California Droolin' theme - referencing celebrities like Brad Pittbull, Maltese Cyrus, and Bark Ruff-alo on the inside.

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The inside also showed off their featured product of the month.

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Buckles says, enough writing - it's time to taste test!

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Barkbox August 2016 - 12

Fish Taco Treats - Value $6

The first treat of the month was a fish flavored treat. Here's a bit more information from the BarkShop:

Dive into a bag of these fish taco treats for a nibble del mar! Full of fish (and flavor!), these snacks are made in the USA by House of Pups with delicious whitefish. Along with a school’s worth of nutritious fish, these treats blend hearty flaxseed, peas, tomato, and cheddar cheese into a chickpea batter. Finally, a way to include your dog in Taco Tuesday (and Taco Wednesday… and Taco Thursday)!

Barkbox August 2016 - IMG_1576

Barkbox August 2016 - IMG_1577

Both treats this month were soft and suitable for Buckles - that's essentially his criteria, is it soft? Then, he'll love it.

Barkbox August 2016 - 9

Barkbox August 2016 - 10

California Style Seaside Snacks - Value $6

The next treat turned out to be his favorite of the month. These are soft lamb and honey bites.

Refuel after your pup’s ocean commotion with these soft-n-chewy Seaside Snacks. Made in the USA with lamb and honey, they’re a tasty after-swimmer treat. The folks at Honest Love bake these grain-free biscuits from a chickpea flour batter, blended with tapioca, flaxseed, and potatoes. The US-sourced lamb is lip-smackin’ good; exactly what your dog will crave after a day in the waves!

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These are also smaller than the fish treats - which I like. He's a smaller dog, so I like to give him smaller treats each day instead of breaking up something bigger.

Barkbox August 2016 - 6

Chompin' Charlie - Value $9

The first toy of the month was a squeaky shark biting a surfboard. This turned out to be the perfect size for him and is his current go-to toy that he's been playing with since opening the box.

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He absolutely loves this toy. I get excited when he finds a new toy that he loves because he maintains a favorite toy for quite a bit - and they can get pretty torn up!

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Tito's Taco - Value $14

I thought this soft taco toy was a fun! Buckles didn't agree.

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Its tortilla layer is attached with velcro - so it's easy to pull it off and play with the pieces. These are also stuff full of crinkly paper - which is usually a favorite of Buckles.

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He almost looks disappointed that it wasn't an actual taco.

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This was about as much as he played with it. Luckily, we were able to gift this immediately to another dog!

Barkbox August 2016 - 13

Beef Knee Cap - Value $3-4?

The final item is a beef rawhide chew. Our dog can't eat these without having stomach issues later - so we always pass these off as well. I'd love to be able to request these to not be sent, at this point, it's always just lost value.

Verdict: This box came to around a $39 value, which is good for the $29 monthly cost. I love getting BarkBox because our dog loves getting BarkBox! It's usually timed well with the need for new treat selection and/or a new toy - so it's also practical for our needs. Beware, though, your dog will start assuming that every box is for them once you start a subscription!

What did you think of the August BarkBox? What did you get this month?

Starting at $20.00
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BarkBox is a monthly delivery of unique toys and all-natural treats and chews—inspired by a new theme, tailored to your dog, and shipped free to your door, every month. Each month’s BarkBox is packed with two unique toys created by our dog-loving designers, two ful... read more.

Eric Cadman
Eric Cadman
Eric is the co-founder of My Subscription Addiction. He's been hooked on geek subscription boxes since 2012 thanks to Loot Crate and Nerd Block. Geek boxes sparked his desire for collecting Funko Pops and comic book statues!

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12 comments

Shari

I absolutely LOVE BarkBox…maybe even more than my dogs! The taco this month was my favorite but alas my 10 lb dog squeaked it one time and broke the squeaker on one section. He got it again and broke the other squeaker! He doesn’t destroy toys so he’s not a heavy chewer-just has a pointy little tooth that renders all BarkBox squeakers unsqueakable. It makes me sad 🙁 I wish they used those tough squeakers or made it possible to replace the squeaker. Now I just have a crinkly taco ?.
Love BarkBox though!

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Susan

I really want to re-subscribe to Bark Box, because my Casey loves getting new toys and treats. Used to really love it every time it came. Almost every single time we’ve received the toys, however, she rips them up within the week. She’s only a medium sized yellow lab mix, but she would need toys with no stuffing and extra tough. I wish that there was some sort of criteria for how much of a strong chewer a furry one is. Maybe I can make her her own box every month. 🙂 Thanks, Buckles, for the review

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Jenny Z

Barkbox does offer a heavy chewer option, it’s not on the website but they will readily update your account. When I wrote to complain how easily my dog tore apart one toy they immediately offered to update my account to the heavy chewer/destroyer option. That way you will get much more durable toys, albeit probably not as squeaky 🙂

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Heather

Have you tried PupJoy? They let you select the type of toys that will be sent – durable, plush, or a mix of the two.

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mimiretz

We get the medium box. We got a fish taco, with a blue squeaky fish sticking out and crinkly stuffing in the taco part (his favorite toy this month), a squeaky camera, a kneebone and 2 kinds of treats. Oberon is even less picky than Buckles when it comes to treats. Oberon’s only criteria is, Is it edible — well (sigh) not even that. It’s more, Will it fit in my mouth? If so, it’s my new favorite treat.

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Laura

Buckles is tremendous!

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Marissa

OMG my baby boys need that taco!!!

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Jolene

Hands down cutest dog ever! I love reading reviews with Buckles!

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Tara

We get two barkboxes (each with bonus toy) I’m always very happy with their toys & treats. Two of our dogs loooooove that take apart taco! The shark was also well received.

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you can request ‘allergy free’ treats by editing your subscription.. those do not contain beef, chicken or turkey. You might still get a pig ear or other chewie type product tho.

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Randi

So cute!

And I love the packaging insert and info card this month! “Pups Weekly” with those story headlines crack me up 🙂

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MyMilkShake

thank you. got the same box! it’s pretty fun. the taco is a bit tough to keep together once it’s pulled apart. had the free toy addition – and got a cute (small) hwy 101. 🙂

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