The 6 best dog subscription boxes for toys and treats

PupJoy secured the top spot on our list because of its variety and quality. Pet parents can choose from pre-built and customizable boxes for small, medium, and large dogs. Every box is filled with high-quality toys and treats, and there are pre-built boxes specifically for heavy chewers. The boxes may include plush and tug toys, rubber chews, balls, and puzzles.

We received a pre-built box with a large duck tug toy and a squeaky bouncy ball. Our tester pup loved playing with both toys, and they held up to her tough chewing and tugging, which was a happy surprise. The treats were a hit, too, and she gobbled them up each time we offered them. 

While the packaged treats had nutrition information printed on their labels, the bully sticks lacked similar details, something we prefer to see. We also wish there were themed options like holiday and seasonal boxes.

Bullymake is hands down the best subscription box for aggressive chewers. Inside each box, you'll find some combination of tug, treat-dispensing, and chew toys made from ballistic nylon, nylon, rubber, and rope. Boxes include exclusive Bullymake treats, and you can also expect to see treats from other brands thrown in occasionally. 

Our tester pup is a pit mix with a strong jaw and a stronger determination to destroy all her toys. Yet she couldn't break any of the Bullymake toys. We loved how durable and versatile these selections were. We received chew, tug, and puzzle toys that made for exceptionally varied play. The items in the box also followed an adorable Halloween theme, which was fun to unpack. 

Potential subscribers should know that Bullymake is more expensive than many competitors. The boxes sometimes include hard nylon toys, and we advise avoiding anything you can't indent with your fingernail. If you plan to give your dog especially hard toys, we recommend first talking to your vet about the risk of teeth damage. You can also check out our recommendations for the best dog toys for aggressive chewers for excellent options.

One of the original subscription boxes for dogs, BarkBox has made a name for itself with its clever toy and treat boxes that are a great option for most dogs. Toys are designed around specific monthly themes like popular movies and TV shows, holidays, and seasons.

We liked that the toys we received often served two functions, such as being both a tug and puzzle toy. This helped us get more use from toys that weren't very durable. The treats were also well received by our dog: The oatmeal and cheesy soft baked biscuits saw a few tail wags every time we opened the packages. 

With BarkBox, the spotlight is mainly on the toys. The boxes often contain the same treats, so don't expect a different selection each time. Because the toys aren't very durable, we don't recommend BarkBox for dogs who are powerful chewers. The company has a Super Chewer Box, which you can read about in our full BarkBox review.

The best dog subscription boxes can be costly, but PupBox is a great option if you're looking to spend less but get more. Our other picks, aside from BarkBox, cost anywhere from $2 to $22 more per month with a yearlong subscription, so you'll save at least $24 a year — and receive an extra accessory and training guide each month. Every box comes with five to seven items, including toys, treats, and an accessory like a bandana or leash. PupBox selects toys based on your dog's age, so puppies may receive teething toys, while boxes for adult dogs contain items like larger tug toys.  

The toys we received in our Halloween-themed box were well-designed. The ball chew toy was sturdy and got our tester dog excited, thanks to its squeaker. The cloth mummy held up to many intense tug sessions. In line with the spooky theme, our accessory was a skeleton-print bandana. PupJoy includes a training card in every box, which is a nice touch with helpful tips for bonding with your dog.

The treat selection was average compared to other subscription boxes. The exclusive Full Moon Munchies were dry and a bit stale despite their airtight packaging.

If you want to treat your dog and contribute to a good cause while you do it, Rescue Box is the way to go. You can purchase this box at the Animal Rescue Site by Greater Good, a nonprofit organization that donates a portion of sales to various animal shelters. These proceeds go toward providing food and care for the animals at the shelters.

We loved the toys in this box: We received two durable stuffed toys — a moose and a soda plush toy — that held up surprisingly well to Lyla's rough play style. The toys were also minimally stuffed, making cleanup a breeze when she inevitably tore them apart. 

We'd like to see nutrition information included with all of the treats. While we ultimately felt comfortable giving them to our dog, other pet parents may not feel the same way.

Pet owners shopping for pups with food sensitivities and allergies may have difficulty finding the best dog subscription box, as many services don't offer this level of customization. That's where Pooch Perks comes in. This box provides an impressive array of customization options: You can choose durable or plush toys for your pup's box and request specific ingredients be included or excluded from treats. The boxes are tailored to your dog's size, and there is a wide range of prepaid subscription options.

Upon receiving our Pooch Box, we immediately liked the included treats. The brand does a great job of sourcing a wide variety of the best dog treats for your pup, and our test dog loved the beef jerky chews, biscuits, and specialty chicken jerky chew tucked in the box.

We tested the plush toys box, and while they were popular with our dog, they weren't the best we've seen. They were easy to damage when we simulated lighter play before handing them over to our super chewer. A few threads popped out of one of the toys when we scratched it with a dinner fork. However, the brand does offer a durable toy box for more aggressive pups.

Before buying a dog subscription box, consider a few factors. Most boxes include toys and treats, but some are specifically designed for small or large breeds and may not be suitable for every pup. The experts we consulted also provided some advice on what to look for in a box for your dog. 

Treats: Treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of your dog's diet, according to Dr. Mondrian Contreras, veterinarian and owner of Carol Stream Animal Hospital. We recommend slowly integrating subscription box treats into your dog's diet to ensure they don't have any adverse reactions, like an upset stomach. We also recommend treats with the ingredients and nutritional information printed on the label so you know exactly what you're feeding your dog.

Toys: Erin Askeland, a professional dog trainer and animal health and behavioral expert for Camp Bow Wow, says the best dog toys will differ for each pup, but generally, sturdier toys are better. She also prefers toys that lack additional parts, such as small sewn-on buttons and googly eyes that are easy to swallow.

Our experts also advise against toys you can't indent with a fingernail, as they can damage a dog's teeth. For super chewers, durable rubber is a good option that can often withstand strong jaws, but smaller pups will have more trouble with these heavy-duty toys. Ideally, the best dog subscription boxes provide options for pups big and small, with appropriate toys for their size and chewing ability. 

Individual preferences: The best dog subscription box is the one that suits your pup's needs and preferences. Toys, especially, can be challenging to select. "Sometimes there's a little bit of trial and error involved," says Askeland. We recommend starting with a one-time box purchase before committing to a subscription.

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We tested seven popular dog subscription boxes that included both toys and treats. While a few brands sent us more than one box, we evaluated only one box from each service for this guide.

Quality and durability of toys: Before handing the toys over to our 50-pound super chewer, Lyla, we tested each one's durability with a fork to see how it would likely stand up to a smaller dog who chews less intensely. We also timed how long it took Lyla to destroy the toys. Since she chews so aggressively, boxes with toys that lasted a few days scored highly. Toys also scored points for tough materials like nylon mesh, which is longer-lasting than polyester fabric. 

Toy safety: We avoid exceptionally hard toys or items filled with small bits of plastic that can pose a choking hazard. For this reason, we gave extra points to toys we could indent with a fingernail and ones filled with soft stuffing instead of crinkle material. In our reviews, we've disclosed whether any toys didn't meet these standards.

Quality and safety of treats: Treats with transparent nutrition and ingredient information scored highly, while treats with little to no information did not perform well in our evaluation. While we also considered our tester dog's treat preferences, we gave more weight to the clear nutrition information.

Variety: The boxes we recommend include something for every dog. Boxes with a variety of toys, such as tug toys, balls or squeaky toys, and puzzle or treat-dispensing toys, scored well in our testing. We also evaluated treat variety. Because most boxes contained a similar mix of biscuits and small meaty bites, treats factored into our evaluation less. 

Price: We compared each box's contents to similar products sold at large pet retailers. We compared the per-box price points of single, six-month, and 12-month subscription plans to a month of toy and treat purchases at the retailers. We also noted how long these toys and treats lasted compared to what we usually buy for our dog. Boxes that didn't offer better value were scored lower.

Packaging: We deducted points for boxes with excessive packaging. This included individually wrapped toys and treats, oversized plastic product tags, and filling such as tissue paper. 

Giving back and sustainability: We sought out boxes with verifiable ties to shelters or sustainability initiatives.

Theme: For themed boxes, we evaluated whether the theme was cohesive among the toys and treats.

Are dog box subscriptions worth it?

It depends. One of the best dog subscription boxes could be a perfect fit for your pup, depending on their preferences, but because most boxes are pre-built, it might be hard to get exactly what your dog likes. If you shop for toys and treats yourself, you may be more likely to find toys they love rather than gambling on a box. However, the subscription boxes we tested were all solid options, and our tester dog enjoyed all the treats and toys in her boxes. For us, these boxes are more than worth it. 

Which dog subscription is the best?

The best dog subscription box contains interactive, safe toys that encourage you to play with your pup. These toys may be treat-dispensing puzzles, durable tug toys, or simple plushies, but they should be free of small, easy-to-swallow pieces and very hard plastic. Askeland says that playtime with your dog is essential, and while you may not need to actively play with something like a puzzle toy, making time for your dog each day is good for both of you. "Even if you can do five to 10 minutes of play a day with you actually physically playing with them, that's just a great thing to do for them, for their brains, and a nice break for you, too," says Askeland. 

Is there a dog subscription box for multiple dogs?

If you have a household with more than one dog, we recommend purchasing multiple boxes to prevent competition over toys and treats. But if your dogs happily share their toys and treats, one box may be suitable.