BarkBox vs Chewy Goody Box for Dogs Comparison 2024: Pros, Cons & Verdict
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
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Doggy-inspired boxes are growing in popularity. It’s no wonder, as these combo packs allow you to pay a set fee to surprise your pup monthly. You will soon fill your home with products they love—and you won’t even have to go to the store to pick them out yourself.
We recently reviewed two of the most popular doggy box services: BarkBox and the Chewy Goody Box. Here, we will look at the details of each product. We want to give you a thorough explanation of what to expect from each of these surprise packages so you can decide which you’d rather try.
Spoiler alert: They are both exceptional!
At a Glance
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Chewy Goody Box |
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Check Price |
Runner-Up
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BarkBox |
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Check Price |
About the BarkBox Subscription Service
BarkBox was an idea put into motion by founders Carly Strife, Matt Meeker, and Henrik Werdelin. It spawned in Little Chinatown of New York City. Quickly, the business grew in popularity, extending outward to a much bigger crowd.
BarkBox is a subscription-based service that delivers two to three treats and two toys to your door monthly. This idea blew up because it gave dogs something to look forward to while cutting out a lot of the shopping work for parents.
Each BarkBox has its own theme, and the options are customizable. If your dog has allergies, they have you covered. If you have a dog that prefers games of fetch to intense chewing, they can accommodate.
You can sign up for a single box, a 6-month, or a 12-month subscription. The boxes get cheaper the longer the subscription lasts. You can even set your payments to auto-deduct each month so you never forget to repay the service.
Pricing
Each BarkBox is $22 for 12-months, but the price increases with a shorter subscription. BarkBox is fairly priced for its reputation and the quality of its services.
Each month, this fee will cover the contents of the box automatically. Each box of products is well-packaged and made from durable materials. We think you will be satisfied with the quality—and so will your dog!
The treats are healthy AND tasty—plus, they offer endless options for dogs with virtually any dietary sensitivity. This company has been building a solid rapport with customers since 2012, so we feel it’s worth the money.
What to Expect
The online ordering process is completely seamless. You simply pop on the website, enter your dog’s details, finalize the type of BarkBox you like, and check out as usual. On the website, you can also easily navigate the tabs, choosing what you’d like to explore, and there are several links to begin placing an order.
You can choose from three options: 1-, 6-, and 12-month plans. Getting a sample trial is often an excellent way to gauge how much your dog likes the product before committing. This way, you can ensure the product will be exactly what you (and your dog) expect.
You will immediately get a confirmation of your order, and tracking information will be available as soon as your package ships. BarkBox is very good about maintaining contact via email, and our package arrived promptly in just 3 short days.
If you have any problems with your order, BarkBox offers 24/7 customer service.
Sid was so excited for us to open the package. He happily wagged his tail as we rattled through the contents. We expect many dogs to share the joy.
Key Features
While there are many things to love about BarkBox – these are its shining features!
Well-Crafted Products
We want to give BarkBox praise for selecting size-appropriate, well-stitched toys for our dog to play with. I felt completely confident in these products, as they seem incredibly durable for stuffed animals, holding up against moderate chewing.
Creative Themes
The BarkBox theme was super creative! We got an adorable alligator, piggy, and two tasty snacks to keep our pug busy all month long. If you look on the BarkBox website, you can find an equal selection of cleverly crafted products, and choose the one that works best for your dog.
BarkBox offers an ever-changing wheel of theme ideas—each carefully selected to match a theme—like the NBA, Jurassic World, Madagascar Unleashed, and many other popular, colorful options.
Switching Products
If your dog has a food allergy or prefers particular toys or snacks, BarkBox will consider this when building your box. Every doggy gets included when they cater to dietary needs and chewing aggressiveness levels.
In Summary
- Adorable themes
- Broad selections
- Alternative options
- Stellar website display
- Excellent product quality
- Pricier than competitors
- Does not offer returns or refunds
About the Chewy Goody Box
The Chewy Goody Box is a relatively new idea that the company hopped on board with. It’s really no wonder, as the concept is appealing to wider and wider pet parent audiences. Who wouldn’t want a one-stop shop for monthly doggy extras?
However, instead of offering these boxes on a subscription-based service, these can be ordered as needed. Each theme is different from the last, and Chewy currently offers over 19 different box options. They have options for cats in the home, too.
Each box is filled with hand-picked selections of treats and toys. You simply pick the one that catches your eye the most, ensure it’s suitable for breed size, and place your order.
Some folks may not find this as convenient, as you do have to repurchase monthly. However, it also allows you to choose exactly what you want and to constantly explore new themes. This also makes a great gift if you have a grand dog!
Pricing
We love that Chewy pricing is so upfront. The Chewy Goody Box generally costs between $25 and $28, depending on your specific box. Unlike BarkBox, where you’re paying for a subscription-based service on a loop, each one of these boxes differs in price slightly and is prepared as ordered.
Each Goody Box contains well-made, aesthetically pleasing toys and tasteful surprises. Plus, Chewy offers a return policy for their Goody Boxes. You can return them within 365 days of the purchase date. You can also request to return or replace your product.
The price is quite fair, and the policies benefit buyers, so it gets a thumbs up on our end.
What to Expect
When you hop on to the Chewy main website, you can look up the Goody Box in the search bar. You can sift through all the options available and choose the box most fitting for your breed.
Like BarkBox, Chewy Goody Boxes are themed. But we got more products with Chewy. In just one box, our dog got four toys and two snacks!
Also, unlike competitors, these boxes are not subscription-based. You simply go to the theme you want for the month and make a purchase. We were highly impressed with each one of the products we received in this box and certainly recommend it to our readers.
Key Features
The Chewy Goody Box is a great option for pet owners and these key features explain why.
Versatile Treat Options
We really enjoyed the fact Chewy Goody Boxes offer some snack variety. For example, we received both bite-sized and long-lasting treats, which work for downtime or quick rewards. The no-hide chews help with dental health, and the pie treats offer a kick of flavor that will keep your dog coming back for more.
Terrific Customer Service
We love Chewy customer service! They certainly don’t hold back on their Goody Boxes. They stand by their products and are happy to make it right if something goes differently than planned. We understand that every dog’s needs are different, and things might not always work out.
So, we loved Chewy’s positive attitude to ensuring their customers are completely satisfied.
Excellent Presentation
We love the way the Chewy Goody Box was packaged. It shipped as an adorable themed box that you could immediately get excited about. The entire outside of the box matched the contents on the inside, letting you know exactly what you were getting—and they weren’t afraid to add a little color. Nothing boring to see here, that’s for sure!
Chewy Goody Box Is Not a Subscription Service
The Chewy Goody Box is not a subscription box. That means they don’t take all of your information and send you specially tailored packages based on your dog’s details every month. This is both a positive for some folks and a negative for others.
Some might like the freedom of choosing the box month after month, while others love the surprise and convenience of a subscription-based service. It’s a matter of personal preference.
In Summary
- Affordable price
- Excellent presentation
- Healthy, versatile snacks
- Offers returns, exchanges, and refunds
- Stellar shipping times
- Not as many theme options
- Not a subscription service
Content Comparison
BarkBox
This particular subscription box was themed for the bayou. Each one of these products has a Louisiana swamp-style vibe, and we dig it!
Alligator Squeaker Toy
The alligator is the longest of the two toys we received. It is made of high-quality fabric plush materials with a squeaker inside to promote play.
Boar Crinkle Toy
The boar is the rounder and sturdier of the two, making it a very firm stuffy for even moderate chewers to enjoy.
The Pet Gourmet Chew Stick Pumpkin and Honey Recipe
| Calories: | 45 |
| Crude Protein: | 11% |
| Crude Fat: | 1.5% |
| Crude Fiber: | 10% |
| Moisture: | 20% |
The Pet Gourmet Chew Stick Pumpkin and Honey Recipe certainly got our dog’s attention. These treats are individually about 3 inches long apiece. You can easily break them apart or serve them as a whole snack.
These treats contain simple, nutritious ingredients, including pea flour, chickpeas, pumpkin, coconut glycerin, tapioca flour, brewer’s yeast, honey, ginger root, and sorbic acid.
These little treats offer quite a bit of fiber content, and the pumpkin is easy on the stomach, So your dog certainly shouldn’t have any problem with digestion. These treats would work even for very sensitive dogs.
Bark Eats Jack-o-Loops With Pumpkin
| Calories: | 5 per treat |
| Crude Protein: | 5% |
| Crude Fat: | 6% |
| Crude Fiber: | 3% |
| Moisture: | 30% |
You can smell the tasty cinnamon in the Bark Eats Jack-o-Loops with Pumpkin. These treats are very soft and aromatic to the senses, making them an exceptional snack. The main ingredients are pumpkin, oatmeal, pearled, barley, potatoes, kale, molasses, canola oil, and flaxseed.
This minimal ingredient list is very acceptable, and the low-calorie content makes them very suitable for training or just for a yummy reward.
Bark Eats Clucky Jerky Bars
| Calories: | 22 |
| Crude Protein: | 23% |
| Crude Fat: | 14% |
| Crude Fiber: | 2% |
| Moisture: | 30% |
The Bark Eats Clucky Jerky Bars were our dog’s number one favorite. He wolfed down each one of these tasty little squares and begged for more. They are shaped like rectangular pieces of beef jerky—and he couldn’t get enough.
The ingredients list is straightforward: chicken, peas, vegetables, glycerin, mixed tocopherols, and rosemary extract.
You don’t have to feel any guilt when dishing this snack out to your dog. It provides a power pack of protein and serves as a great motivator.
Chewy Goody Box
Now, of course, you want to know what’s inside this exciting box of adventures. Here is a list of the contents and what we thought about each product.
Squirrel Squeaky Toy
The squirrel is a little compact cutie, ready to play. It is the perfect size for a small/medium dog and makes an excellent interactive piece for fetch, too.
Pretzel
The pretzel is a soft, squeaky toy your pup can carry around the house. It is large enough to keep them busy for quite a while but thin enough to make it easy for any mouth.
Bacon
Yum, who doesn’t want a little slab of squeaky bacon? This adorable little toy has the color and noise factor to attract any active pooch.
Sunglasses
The sunglasses were a little too large, making it our least favorite of all the Chewy Goody Box toys—but it is top-quality. We really enjoyed the well-stitched fabric and overall adorable design; we just wish it were a little smaller.
Pup-Pie and Ice Cream Triple Berry With Peanut Butter Cups
| Calories: | 16 per treat |
| Crude Protein: | 10.65% |
| Crude Fat: | 8.75% |
| Crude Fiber: | 1.85% |
| Moisture: | 24.25% |
Our pooch went gaga over the sweetly delightful Pup-Pie and Ice Cream Triple Berry with Peanut Butter Cups. These adorable treats are sliced into a little pie square for aesthetic effect. They smell lovely, good enough for even humans to be tempted to try. (Please, don’t!)
This product contains oats, tapioca starch, coconut, glycerin, molasses, flaxseed, sunflower oil, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, peanut butter, and citric acid.
Overall, we love the simplicity of the recipe, the softness of the product, and our dog has a happy reaction when he gets a slice. These treats are modestly sized, making them perfect for quick rewards.
Earth Animal No-Hide Salmon Recipe Dog Chews
| Calories: | 82.19 per treat |
| Crude Protein: | 44% |
| Crude Fat: | 2% |
| Crude Fiber: | 2% |
| Moisture: | 14% |
We were very pleased with the Earth Animal No-Hide Salmon Recipe Dog Chews. Rather than having the harmful potential of real rawhide, these alternatives are long-lasting for your dog to chew but easily digestible.
All of the additives in this recipe are extremely straightforward and healthy. The ingredients on the package are listed as salmon, brown, rice, flour, agar-agar, eggs, olive oil, banana powder, and pineapple stem.
These treats are meant to last. We love that the Chewy Goody Box gave us long-lasting no-hide selections that will give our pups something to do in their downtime.
Are Subscription Boxes a Good Value?
BarkBox
Overall, BarkBox certainly knows what they’re doing. They create captivating boxes for your dog to keep them engaged month after month. You also have the option to look through alternatives if your dog cannot eat or play with some of the default products.
Chewy Goody Box
We certainly don’t regret ordering the Chewy Goody Box. It is a highly versatile, top-notch doggy box with plenty of activities and snacks to keep your pet occupied. We love the variety, presentation, shipping, speed, and customer service.
We would recommend the Chewy Goody Box to any pet parent looking to opt for one of these combination-pack services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
BarkBox
Can you swap out products?
You can absolutely swap out products if you don’t like everything that is in your BarkBox before finalizing your order. Each box is customized so that you can add fewer or more toys and treats.
Can you return a BarkBox?
Per the BarkBox website, it does not offer refunds or exchanges for any complete box, Super Chewer Box, or individual items.
How accessible is customer service?
BarkBox has 24/7 customer service on staff to assist you. You can contact them via email or chat.
Does BarkBox ship to Canada?
Yes, BarkBox ships to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories.
Chewy Goody Box
Does Chewy offer auto-ship on Goody Boxes?
At this time, Chewy does not offer the auto-ship option on Chewy Goody Boxes.
Does Chewy offer cat boxes?
Chewy offers a variety of cat boxes in addition to their doggy-inspired bundles.
Our Experience
BarkBox
Ordering from BarkBox was a pleasure. We really enjoyed the exciting theme of the box and feel the contents are superior in quality. The company was extremely easy to work with, even when we had to contact the customer service department for assistance.
Our questions were answered promptly and timely, so we believe in their support team. The bottom line is that the BarkBox company remains an innovator in the field, creating endless themed surprise packages for dogs nationwide every month. We recommend this subscription-based service.
Chewy Goody Box
The Chewy Box is a great value! Our dog was so pleased with the treat variety, having those long-lasting and instant reward snacks. Each one of the toys was a decent size and very well-made to last the whole month and much longer!
When it comes to value for the price, Chewy wins hand over fist. We even enjoyed the overall presentation of the Chewy box, themed from the inside out. Our favorite thing? We like that Chewy is so ready to take on any returns, exchanges, or suggestions to help improve their products.
We recommend this product if you are okay with reordering every time your dog is ready for a new box.
Final Thoughts
We loved the Chewy Goody Box and BarkBox for different reasons, so we think people could benefit from each depending on their needs. Chewy offered a terrific, adventure-filled box that was well worth the money.
BarkBox sent a bayou-inspired box and offers a subscription-based service to make things more convenient. So, while it is a few more dollars than the competitor depending on the length of subscription you sign up for, the repeat service saves you time, as you control the subscription length to meet your needs.
Ultimately, your go-to will depend on the features you’re looking for. Overall, we liked the Chewy Goody Box a bit more, as it met more of our expectations. However, both boxes are of excellent quality and offered by trusted companies.
