PupBox vs. BarkBox Subscriptions: Which Is Best for You & Your Pup?

Despite our desire to spoil our doggies with niceties, life can get in the way of finding the time to shop for toys and treats on a consistent basis. One of the best ways of circumventing this is by signing up for a monthly subscription box that caters to dogs.

Dog subscription boxes are service providers who send dogs a box of goodies each month. This saves the owner the hassle of regular visits to the pet store to look for treats and toys for your pet. Additionally, reputable subscription box companies do not compromise on quality, ensuring that your doggo receives only the best.

Another advantage of using subscription box services is that they offer variety. They switch up the treats and toys in your dog’s goodie bag regularly to allow them to enjoy new things consistently.

Among subscription box services, PupBox and BarkBox are arguably the most popular companies. However, they cater to different sets of dog owners. For example, PupBox caters to new puppy owners. As such, their box typically consists of toys, treats, training guides, chews, and basic accessories.

On the other hand, BarkBox caters to dogs of all sizes. This company’s calling card is its ability to customize boxes for individual dogs. It’s a great option for people who love variety.

To allow you to make an informed decision, here is everything you need to know about PupBox and BarkBox.

At a Glance

Let’s look at the key points of each product.

Overview of PupBox

As mentioned, PupBox caters to puppies. As such, the contents in their box of goodies consist of handpicked products that suit the needs of puppies. These include treats, toys, and chews for your pup’s enjoyment. Additionally, the company throws in various accessories that will assist you in grooming and training your pup. The box also contains training guides and tips to help you become a better pet parent.

Another great thing about this subscription service is that they change your pup’s box as your pooch grows. This ensures that the box is able to meet your pup’s needs even as they grow older.

Moreover, even though PupBox is designed to cater to puppies, they have an option that caters to adult dogs. In addition to toys and treats, the  PupBox’s adult box comes with training guides that allow you to teach advanced tricks to your dog.

Overview of BarkBox

As mentioned, BarkBox is designed to cater to all types of dogs. The typical box consists of 2 toys, 2 all-natural treats, and a chew. The best thing about BarkBox is that their toys are created in-house to ensure superior quality, which is something you won’t get with most other subscription services.

One unique aspect about BarkBox is that they have a theme for every month. This means that the box’s contents will change every month based on the theme the company is after. The benefit of this strategy is that your dog will never get bored of their treats and toys as they keep changing. As you can imagine, dogs on this subscription service are always looking forward to their monthly box.

Additionally, BarkBox allows you to customize your pooch’s box to suit their needs. For example, you can specify what the company should avoid when it comes to ingredients or toy features. You can also change product assortment to increase or decrease the various products that come in the box. This will allow you to receive boxes that you feel suit your doggo the most.

What’s more, BarkBox has various packages to allow for even further customization. These packages include the standard BarkBox subscription and the Super Chewer Box. The latter comes with durable chew toys to cater to dogs with a high bite force.

The best thing about BarkBox is that they donate 10% of their profits to various shelters and rescues.

PupBox vs. BarkBox: What Are the differences?

As mentioned, the main difference between these two subscription box services is who they cater to. Their individual products also differ considerably. Let us take a closer look.

Toys

Edge: BarkBox

Unlike BarkBox, PupBox does not manufacture its toys in-house. As a result, their products tend to vary considerably in terms of quality. Nonetheless, the company goes out of its way to source its products from reputable manufacturers. Additionally, they have an in-house testing team.

Therefore, even though they do not make their own products, they do their best to ensure that the toys are safe for your pup.

BarkBox, on the other hand, designs all their toys. As such, you can be sure that the toys inside your box are of superior quality. Their toys are renowned for their durability.

Treats

Edge: Tie

Both companies source their treats from the USA or Canada, so you can expect high-quality standards. PupBox’s treats, however, are designed to facilitate a puppy’s development rather than being purely for reward purposes.

Price

Edge: BarkBox

The standard BarkBox package costs $35 per month, while a 6-month subscription costs $26 per box. PupBox, on the other hand, costs $39 per month, while a 6-month subscription costs $32 per box.

However, if you choose BarkBox’s SuperChewer package, you will have to part with $39 monthly or $32 per box for a 6-month subscription. As mentioned, the Superchewer package caters to powerful dogs that go through standard toys quickly. Therefore, even though this package is pricey, it is worth it.

What the Users Say

After going through numerous consumer reviews, here is the consensus: BarkBox has exceptional customer service, diverse product variety, and remarkably durable products. PupBox, on the other hand, has lackluster customer service. However, their products have been extremely helpful to new pup owners.

Conclusion

PupBox and BarkBox are the two most popular box subscription services today for good reason — they do not cut corners. Neither is superior to the other since they cater to different types of dogs. PupBox is the best subscription service for puppies, while BarkBox is the best service for adult dogs.

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Featured Image Credit: Baramyou0708, Shutterstock