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!).
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
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
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.
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What did you think of the May 2019 BarkBox?
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