Fruit-of-the-month subscriptions used to make for great party joke fodder, but when it comes to pampering our pets, it seems that monthly goody deliveries are no laughing matter. The canine treat box delivery business has taken off in a way no one probably ever imagined possible, bringing health products, toys, and doggy treats right to your door each and every month. If you’ve considered ordering up a monthly stash of fun and tasty specialties for your pooch, we’ve got a look at the big three contenders in the arena.
BarkBox
This popular service is now practically a household name, despite being just four years old (that’s just an infant in dog years!). BarkBox has enjoyed crazy-high sales just a few years in, and for good reason. Not only do they deliver high-end products with free shipping, but they also donate 10% of their proceeds to animal rescues.
In a given month you will receive a box with 4-6 full-size items including things like a bag of high quality dog treats and fun stuff like a rope toy. You can choose from 1 to 12 month subscriptions ranging from about $20-30 per month depending on the plan you choose (they’re cheaper the longer you sign up for).
Some consider the price a little steep but the entire process is smooth – from the availability of an app, to the user-friendly interface of the website, plus tracking of your shipments. They offer multi-dog discounts but you will have to purposely cancel if desired, and no cat option is available.
PawPack
They are geared more toward natural, eco-friendly doggy delights. PawPack is so confident you’ll like their products that they offer an allergy guarantee – if your dog has an allergic reaction to anything in his box, they send you a treat at no charge. As with BarkBox, your pooch will get 4+ premium products, plus some samples and discounts for their partner companies.
How much will PawPack set you back? A little more than BarkBox – $25-35/month depending upon which length of time you choose – 1, 6, or 12 months. But, they have stellar customer care, above average quality toys, and cat options are available. And again, like BB, they donate 10% of their sales to animal charities.
Surprise My Pet
>
This newcomer, while times are still early (they launched at the beginning of 2015) is still a standout among the competition. One major reason for that fact is that they offer a “paw for paw guarantee” – this means if your dog doesn’t want to play with one of their toys or eat one of their treats, they’ll send you a free replacement.
Another thing that sets SMP apart is that they put 5-7 full-sized items into their boxes, as opposed to the competition’s 4-6. They also offer both cat and extra-small dog options, and their boxes are packed to the brim. On the downside there’s no customer care by phone. But it’s a wait and see with this brand-new company.
PoochPerks
Another shiny new up-and-comer to watch for is PoochPerks. They are a Miami, FL based company started by two pet moms who focus on all-natural treats and made in the USA products. The prices are steeper than the other main contenders, however – for a large dog it’s $20/month for a two to three item box, and $50/month for a six item box – with two more choices in between. The four size options are a twist that may end up as a lucrative niche, but time will tell.
One certainty is that for those who want to easily stock their dog’s treat cupboard and save some time perusing toys down at the pet store, life just got a whole lot more convenient!
