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BarkBox Review + Coupon – May 2019

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Sep 24, 2019 | 17 comments

Barkbox May 2019 dog subscription box review

BarkBox
3.9 overall rating
115 Ratings | 53 Reviews

BarkBox is a reader-favorite monthly subscription box for dogs.

BarkBox customizes your box to your dog’s size. For reference, this review is for the small size (my smaller dog weighs 12 lbs and my pug is closer to 28).

FYI: Both of my dogs are quite old! Piper (the minpin) has to eat soft food and has trouble with hard treats. Charlie is a pug, and a glutton who will eat LITERALLY anything. They both still really enjoy toys, though it has been years since either of them managed to destroy anything. If you have a younger pup or just one who needs toys of the rough and tumble variety, I highly recommend trying the Super Chewer subscription (read our reviews to learn more!).

Barkbox May 2019 dog subscription box review open

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Barkbox May 2019 dog subscription box review all contents

About BarkBox

The Subscription Box: BarkBox

The Cost: $29 a month + free shipping. $25 a month with a 6-month subscription, $23 a month with a 6-month subscription ($138 billed today), or $21 a month with a 12-month subscription.

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

Ships to: the US and Canada

May 2019 Barkbox "Sniffs From The Abyss" Review

Barkbox May 2019 dog subscription box review info front Barkbox May 2019 dog subscription box review info inside Barkbox May 2019 dog subscription box review info back

Each box arrives with an information card with details about the items included. The May box included 2 toys, 2 bags of treats, and a chew - this is close to what you can expect with your monthly subscription, though it does vary for everyone once in a while.

A lot of these items are marked as 'Sold Out' on the BarkBox app - but they have a little 'As Seen In BarkBox' section of the BarkShop where you can grab items featured in monthly themes.

 

BEEF Tastes from the Deep Treats 

The treats in this sub are generally too hard for Piper to enjoy since she is really quite old and only has a few teeth left. Charlie has no trouble with them and absolutely goes crazy when I shake the bags. I will always offer Piper an alternative soft snack so she doesn't feel neglected and so she can still participate in the general euphoria that comes along with treat time. These little beef squares were quite popular with Charlie, though he has yet to meet a treat he didn't enjoy. If you offered him a rock he would likely eat it!

 

LAMB Tastes from the Deep Treats

These were also far too hard for poor Piper, though I did let her lick a treat a few times so she wouldn't feel totally left out. They were in the cutest little fish shapes! Charlie really liked them, and since he is quite good at catching treats midair, I tossed his to him. Perfect catch! Have to make 'em work for it sometimes, right?

I offered Piper cheese instead of this treat. Her enthusiasm remained strong.

 

Awk Gawk Fish Toy

This smaller toy was immediately grabbed up by Piper. I think she found the soft, crinkly tail irresistible. It also has a squeaker inside, but it was a little too large and hard for her to comfortably squeak. She carried it around the house for a little while, then promptly fell asleep on the couch, using it as a pillow.

 

Kelly Lejellyfish Toy

I knew this jellyfish would immediately become a Charlie favorite. He can't get enough crinkly toys and this one has three different crinkle filled tentacles and a squeaky head! As soon as he settled down to enjoy it, Piper just had to steal it, and this was a battle waged back and forth all evening until suppertime when Piper had the audacity to even take it with her to her food bowl. Rude! He did eventually manage to enjoy himself and this toy after Piper decided to nap on the other side of the couch. She is a pretty deep sleeper, so he was quite pleased with himself.

"You have my full attention."

Piper: Refusing to share since 2004.

The smug face of a guilty little toy thief.

 

One Fish Chew Fish Chew

This is another sort of thing that Piper doesn't get to partake in because of her teeth. Luckily for Charlie, Piper likes to put herself to bed early and as soon as she hops up the stairs he knows that a chew might be in his future. This hard chew kind of smelled, but he loved it so much I decided to overlook this fact and let him chew on his merry way.

Verdict: Barkbox is always fun for both the dogs and myself. Though they aren't as active as they once were and though Piper can't participate as much as Charlie, I can tell they absolutely love when I bring these boxes home. I do wish there were more soft treats included, though as this is only our second box, perhaps they are more common than I think? I thought the glow in the dark sea theme this month was very cute, but I do wish it had included a wearable item like last month. 

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will get the June box. Customer care let us know that your first box will now always be either their Welcome Box or the current month’s box, followed by the normal schedule the following month.

Check out all of our reviews of Barkbox and our other favorite pet subscription boxes.

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add BarkBox to your subscription list or wish list!

What did you think of the May 2019 BarkBox?

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.

Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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17 comments

La

I love bark box the toys last so long! and if they don’t the detail they put into the squeakers or whatever else is in the toys is so cool lol

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DawnB

Customer service will bend over backwards to make sure Piper can get as many soft treats as she can handle. They are very willing to customize your boxes

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Megan K.

This is what a few people have said and I am really excited about it. I am going to email today.

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Kat

Bark box is very accomodating. My fur baby is old and doesn’t play with toys too much, so I asked them if we could get an extra bag of treats and only one toy- they said no problem! Use the chat feature on the website, I’m sure they could note in your account that you prefer soft treats.

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Megan K.

I love that so many people are commenting about how eager CS is to customize. Reaching out is on my to-do list for today.

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Anne

Multiple thoughts here….

Miss Buckles, but love these puppy pictures! Great review! The tales of two dogs are hilarious.

BarkBox is awesome and the CS is great. I wonder if they would customize for some soft treats for you? (But maybe based upon the age the treats do not get THAT soft). I have only needed to do one replacement in two years for a disliked treat, but they were on it at BarkBox.

Love the new picture, Megan! With the blowout going people may have a difficult time believing your simple hair care routine, though 😉. I appreciate both the curly and straight looks.

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Megan K.

Hey Anne! Thanks for reading. The pups had a good time this month, though there was some contention and competition! I will have to reach out about softer treats, though one of the comments below about soaking them does seem promising.

Glad you like the new profile pic! Its from my March Rocksbox review, so it is a wee bit dated, but not as much as my previous. Never had a blowout in my life though ($$$!), but your comment sure did make me feel fancy! I likely had some sort of hair oil happening, which makes my wavy hair less “fluffy”.

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Leonore

I started Bark Box three months ago and was worried my golden retriever pup would DESTROY the toys. But no, she doesn’t she just like cuddles and little nibbles, but they really hold up to even a year old golden. She gets SO excited when we get the box, when we bring it in, before we even say anything she KNOWS its hers and the tail stars a-wagging.

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Megan K.

It is so funny how quickly they learn to recognize that barkbox box.

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DawnB

My problem is all boxes that size are Rex boxes now and I get the dirtiest looks when they end up being my Birchbox order!

Tammy

Have you tried soaking a treat in water? (Or tuna juice if you eat it 🙂

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Megan K.

I actually haven’t Tammy, but this is such a good suggestion! I am going to try asap when I get home. Piper would totally dig the tuna infusion.

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Dawn

Adorable fur kids you have! Louie absolutely loves his barkbox sub. He gets so excited when I tell him his box is on the way. He hasn’t found a snack he doesn’t love and the toys are really good quality. I saw a display at Target completely wiped out of Barkbox toys. I am so happy the snacks are U.S. and Canada products. This is a wonderful dog box.

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La

He probably jumps for joy when you tell him it’s coming! Not because he understands but because you think he does! Yay!!!!

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Megan K.

I also just saw a big display at my Target, though tons were already sold out! Makes me want to keep a close eye on it for restocking. What kind of pup is Louie?

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Natalie

Barkbox has excellent customer service – both of my dogs prefer soft treats (even though they’re young), so I used the chat feature to relay that message and they’ve done a great job of it in all boxes since then!

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Megan K.

I am going to see if I can reach out and request softer. I am glad you have had success, and I know Piper thanks you for the tip!

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