VetPet Box Dog Subscription Review – October 2019

VetPet Box is a subscription for dogs or cats with toys, treats, and other supplies curated by veterinarians. Choose from boxes for single or multiple cats and you can also input allergy information. Choose from boxes for petite (up to 15 pounds), small (15-30 pounds), medium (31-50 pounds), large (51-100 pounds) or giant (100+ pounds) and there are also options to select for heavy chewers and dogs with food allergies.

This is a review of the large dog box for heavy chewers and dogs with food allergies. My dog, Nyx, is an 87-pound Rottweiler who is definitely a power chewer; she also has inflammatory bowel disease so we avoid pretty much all grains and most animal proteins.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

About VetPet Box

The Subscription Box: VetPet Box (dog version)

The Cost: $49/month (save with longer subscription options)

ACTIVE DEAL: Save $15 off your first box!
CODE: VetPet15MSA

The Products: Toys, treats, and grooming supplies selected by veterinarians with your dog’s needs in mind.

Ships to: The US (free to the contiguous 48 states, $8 to Alaska or Hawaii), Canada ($15)

VetPet Box Dog October 2019 Review

Please note: This subscription is somewhat customized based on preferences you select when you sign up. So, what you’ll see below are treats for a food-sensitive dog and toys for a heavy chewer:

Included was an information card with more information about the items in the box. Note: there are some variations based on sign-up preferences so you will not receive every item on the card.

There is always a brochure good information in there about a particular doggie-related health topic. (This is considered one of the benefits of paying for a subscription so the content is not reproduced here.) This month the information related to osteoarthritis. Nyx doesn't have this problem yet, but my last Rottweiler, Jet, was diagnosed with arthritis and hip dysplasia at the age of 5 months and had to have a total hip replacement at age 2, so it can definitely affect younger dogs. There was also a promotional brochure for products related to the box's theme.

Fruitables Sweet Potato and Pecan (7 oz) - Retail Value $4.99

These are nice fall flavors for treats. This brand does a good job of avoiding any animal proteins that could cause allergic reactions, although these are not grain-free (they contain barley and oats). These are crunchy treats that are sourced and made in the US and they come in a resealable bag for freshness.  They are also from a certified organic bakery and are free of preservatives and dyes.

Puppy Scoops Vanilla (5.25 oz) - Retail Value $6.99

This is a pretty common treat in dog subscription boxes and, even though it's October, it's still in the 90s where I live, so it's not too cold for ice cream. The milk in this is lactose-free.  What you do is add water, stir, and put it in the freezer. Nyx can't have dairy but my parents' dog absolutely loves this stuff so I think I will send it home with them when they come to visit in a few weeks.

Herbsmith Sound Dog Viscosity (2.65 oz powder) - Retail Value $19.73

This has glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and hyaluronic acid to help maintain the joints in good condition, as well as some herbs. I'm not sold on herbal medicine for people, let alone dogs, but one of the herbs is turmeric, which has a pretty good reputation for being anti-inflammatory. Anyway, I do strongly recommend glucosamine and chondroitin for large breed dogs and what's nice about this one is that it doesn't have any added flavorings (though the glucosamine is sourced from shellfish, so be careful handling if someone in your household has shellfish allergies). This comes in a powder form and will dissolve in water or can be mixed into wet food.

Pet Qwerks Pig Ear (large) - Retail Value $13.99 (found here for $7)

This is nylon and flavored and that combination is pretty much an instant win for Nyx. You can see some pictures of her playing with it below. This doesn't aggravate Nyx's IBD and is safer than a real pig ear (many of which were recalled a few months back due to salmonella concerns). This seems sturdier than some of the other nylon toys we have tried in the past, as well.

Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Sport Football - Retail Value $13.17 (found here for $11.97)

This is made from heavy duty material and is partly hollow inside. Nyx seems interested in this on its own but she gets more excited for it when there is peanut butter inside. It doesn't fit completely in her mouth although she sure tries. Other toys from this brand have held up well over time.

Here are some photos of Nyx with the pig ear toy. So far it seems a little sturdier than some of the other nylon toys we've received in dog subscription boxes.

Verdict: I calculated a value of $58.87 for October’s VetPet Box. That's not the highest value I've ever seen from this subscription, but it is about $10 over the month-to-month cost of the box. This is one subscription where you get to try some of the more expensive dog supplements, which is nice in terms of seeing if they will work for you without having to shell out cash up front. I also like that there is some degree of customization (food-wise as well as subbing in more durable toys for destructive dogs). I enjoyed the fall theme and thought the health topic for the month was super important as well.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Due to customization (dog size/chewing habits/dietary issues), boxes may vary from month-to-month. New subscribers typically receive an introductory box first. However, if you’d like to get a repeat of a past box, contact VetPet Box – if your dog has major dental issues, as an example, they want you to be able to get the dental health box and the items within more than once if it will be useful to you. And the same goes for any other theme.

ACTIVE DEAL: Save $15 off your first box!
CODE: VetPet15MSA

Value Breakdown: At $49/month for this box, you are paying approximately the following per item:

• Treats $4.15
• Puppy Scoops $5.82
• Supplement $16.42
• Nylon pig ear $11.64
• Football toy $10.96

Check out my past VetPet Box (Dog) reviews and the best subscription boxes for dogs and cats!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of the October 2019 VetPet Box dog subscription box? Do you subscribe to any dog or cat boxes?