Canine Bible is reader-supported. We receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Learn more.
This content was reviewed and fact-checked by AKC Certified Dog Trainer & Behaviorist Madison Tanner Clark.
In the world of pet parenting, nothing brings more joy than seeing your puppy’s tail wag with excitement. Whether it’s through a monthly puppy subscription box surprise of toys and treats or a one-time gift box full of canine delights, puppy boxes are becoming the go-to choice for dog owners everywhere.
These boxes aren’t merely about spoiling your puppies—they’re a pathway to enhanced playtime, improved training, and ensuring your puppy’s needs are met with curated products suited for their playful energy and development. Let’s dive in and discover which of these best puppy boxes will make your puppy’s tail wag the hardest and bring a new level of fun and education to your doorstep every month.
Canine Bible has tested and rated thousands of dog products, including puppy boxes, to help you make better buying decisions. Read our editorial mission. This specific review article was written by the research team at Canine Bible, passionate and experienced dog experts and enthusiasts. All content has been fact-checked and vet-approved by AKC Certified Dog Trainer & Behaviorist Madison Tanner Clark, and our veterinary review board. For a deeper understanding of puppy boxes, our writers and editorial team have referenced and cited peer-reviewed studies and insights from industry thought leaders.
To generate a list of our top puppy boxes, several of our testers and their puppies evaluated numerous subscription services in The Canine Bible Lab and at home to see how they performed in key areas, including toy and treat quality, box variety, developmental appropriateness, packaging, and overall value (read our product review and test methodology for more information on how we test items). We also consulted with pet care specialists for their insights on features to look for in a puppy box.
Toy & Treat Quality: The first attribute we assessed was the quality of the toys and treats included in each puppy box. Testers scrutinized the items for their durability, safety, and appeal to puppies, noting if they contained high-quality materials and natural ingredients. Boxes that offered premium, engaging toys and healthy, tasty treats without harmful additives received a high rating for this attribute.
Box Variety: Variety is crucial for keeping a puppy engaged and entertained. We evaluated each puppy box for the diversity of toys, treats, and sometimes even training aids. Our top-rated boxes contained a well-curated assortment that catered to various aspects of a puppy’s playtime and snacking preferences.
Developmental Appropriateness: It’s important for puppy boxes to align with the developmental stages of a growing dog. We analyzed each box’s content to ensure it was age-appropriate, considering the size and play style of different breeds and ages. Boxes that included products that supported a puppy’s growth and learning scored highly in this category.
Packaging: We looked at how the puppy boxes were packaged, valuing ease of opening, the ability to reseal where applicable, and whether the packaging was eco-friendly. Clear labeling of products, including the toys’ and treats’ origin and appropriate age and size guidance, was also considered. User-friendly and sustainable packaging options were rated favorably.
Overall Value: After examining the above attributes, testers were instructed to consider the price of each puppy box and whether they believed the product was a good value. If testers felt the items inside the box were of high quality and they would willingly pay the price — or even consider it a bargain — the box received a high score for value.
How We Rated The Best Puppy Boxes
4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best puppy boxes we tested. We recommend them without reservation. They excel in toy and treat quality, variety, developmental appropriateness, price value, customer feedback, and our personal experience.
4.5 to 4.7 stars: These puppy boxes are excellent — they might have minor drawbacks, such as slightly higher prices or less availability, but we still highly recommend them for meeting your puppy’s needs.
4.0 to 4.4 stars: We think these are great puppy boxes, but there are better options out there. They meet most criteria for a quality puppy box, but they might fall short in areas like variety or customer feedback.
3.5 to 3.9 stars: These puppy boxes are average. They fulfill the basic requirements but may lack variety, or they may include some items that are less suited to all puppy breeds or ages.
3.4 and below: We don’t recommend puppy boxes with this rating; hence, you won’t find any on our list. They have multiple areas of concern, such as poor toy and treat quality, limited variety, or negative customer feedback and experiences.
We created this article on the best puppy boxes to provide dog owners with comprehensive, well-researched, and trustworthy information. Our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions about puppy box subscriptions and help you discover the best puppy box brands for your growing pet.
How Are Puppy Boxes Different From Other Boxes?
Dog subscription boxes have exploded in popularity among pet parents. They are an excellent way to have toys, treats, and health items delivered to your door each month. There’s one to suit every need, even heavy chewers boxes for toy destroyers.
On the other hand, puppy boxes are uniquely designed to cater to the needs of growing puppies, which sets them apart from standard dog subscription boxes. The items in puppy boxes are selected to support the developmental phases of puppies, with toys and chewing gear often focused on teething, chewing habits and cognitive development.
Puppy Box Options
When considering a puppy box, there are a couple of different types you might encounter.
Gift box for puppies: A gift box is typically a one-time purchase, curated to be presented as a gift.
A subscription box for puppies: An ongoing service, renewing and billing you per each delivery until you decide to cancel.
What to Expect From Puppy Subscription Boxes
While there’s quite a variety among them, here’s what you can typically expect from most puppy subscription boxes:
The best puppy toys
Nutritious, all-natural treats hand-picked by experts
Accessories
Personalization to cater to your puppy’s needs
Exclusive puppy items that aren’t always available at your local grocery or pet store
A fun unboxing experience for your puppy
Great mental stimulation
Saves you money as the total price of a box is usually lower than what you would pay at retail
Save even more money with longer subscriptions
Bonding and enjoyment of getting new cool puppy stuff every month
Support local businesses
Discovering new brands and products
Promotes active play
Why Get A Puppy Subscription Box?
The two most obvious reasons to get a puppy box are: (i) to spoil your puppy and (ii) to save time shopping for dog stuff. However, there are even more significant reasons.
Dogs are a lot like children in that they can quickly get bored with their toys. Researchers also believe that dogs can form strong emotional attachments to their toys, just like children.[1] Further research by canine behavior expert Dr. Emily Blackwell, who studied 4,000 dog owners, discovered that the less they played with their pets, the more likely the dogs would suffer from one or more of 22 behavioral problems.[2]
Since most puppies get bored with toys, experts advise rotating toys to encourage exploration and reduce habituation.[3] This way, the toys don’t lose their appeal, keeping your puppy entertained and mentally sharp with fresh challenges regularly. This is exactly the purpose of puppy boxes and why we recommend them.
A puppy box minimizes periods of boredom, keeps toys interesting for a longer time, and provides excellent mental stimulation and new challenges for puppies each month.
A puppy subscription box also encourages active play and bonding, reducing the risk of destructive or attention-seeking behaviors in your pet. Even when you have to leave your puppy at home, these boxes can provide comfort when they feel anxious.
Why we picked and recommended it: We chose PupBox as the best overall because of its commitment to growing with your puppy. Unlike other puppy boxes, PupBox customizes its contents according to your puppy’s age, size, and developmental stage, ensuring that the items you receive are not just fun but also beneficial for your pup’s growth and learning. PupBox is designed to re-invent the way you raise your furbaby by delivering the very best puppy products and training information you need to raise the perfect dog.
What sets it apart from competitors: All items in the box are customized and will grow with your pup, changing based on your puppy’s developmental life stage. For instance, if your puppy is teething, you will get chew toys that encourage positive chewing habits, or if your dog is potty training, you may get pee spray.
Key Features
Caters to allergies
Dogs receive a birthday-themed box for their 1st birthday
Toys and treats rotate based on your pup’s development
What We Like (Pros)
As seen on Shark Tank, PupBox is a pet subscription service explicitly created for puppies by celebrity dog trainer Andrea Arden
Free shipping for all boxes within the USA
Adult dog box available
Offers grooming goodies and cleaning essentials
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Subscriptions automatically renew, making canceling necessary
Our Personal Experience
Bottom line – Our testing team takeaway: “After subscribing to PupBox for our puppy Coco, we were thrilled with how each box seemed to perfectly cater to her growing needs. From teething toys to training treats, it was like receiving a monthly care package that really understood what it meant to raise a puppy. The training tips were spot on, and we’ve noticed a positive change in our pup’s behavior and skills.”
– Canine Bible, Testing Team Associate
Our Video Review Experience
2. Best Premium Puppy Box
4.7
★★★★★
BarkBox
Who It’s For: Perfect for puppy parents looking to provide their fur babies with premium and unique items not typically found in stores.
Why we picked and recommended it: We recommended BarkBox as the best premium option because it offers the highest quality, well-crafted premium toys, human-grade dog treats and most unique fun-themed boxes. With over two million pups subscribed, this company provides reliable and unmatched product quality that delivers satisfaction, and best of all, they offer great prices. Is BarkBox okay for puppies? Yes, BarkBox says they are perfect for growing puppies and dogs of all ages and sizes.
What sets it apart from competitors: BarkBox elevates the subscription box experience with its themed monthly collections, ensuring that there’s always something new and exciting for the puppy and the owner. BarkBox offers a sense of delight and anticipation for the owners with their creative and themed monthly boxes.
For puppies, pick the “small” option. If you aren’t sure what will work best for your puppy, chat with one of their expert dog parents. As your puppy gets bigger, you will want to update it to medium or large, depending on its weight. It’s popular for new puppy subscribers to start smaller and update as they grow up, says the company.
Key Features
If your puppy doesn’t love an item, BarkBox sends a free replacement.
You can add an extra, premium toy to your dog’s BarkBox for just $7 per month.
They offer a super chewer box option for puppies who love nothing but eviscerating their favorite toys.
What We Like (Pros)
Unique toys exclusive to BarkBox
Free shipping for all boxes
10% of proceeds donated to over 3000 rescue organizations
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Subscriptions automatically renew; you need to cancel manually
Why we picked and recommended it: We chose to highlight the KONG Box because it stands out for its durable toy selection, which is a core concern for many puppy owners. KONG’s reputation for creating tough toys that are nearly indestructible under normal play conditions gives this box a significant edge for durability. What differentiates the Kong Puppy Box from the adult and senior options is that only toys from KONG’s puppy product line are used. These toys feature their softest rubber, designed for puppy teeth and gums and come only in pink and light blue colors.
What sets it apart from competitors: Kong toys are built to help eliminate unfavorable dog behaviors and provide mentally stimulating exercises. They are also perfect for fishing out treats or licking out peanut butter.
To get a Kong Box for puppies, select the “puppy” option during the ordering process.
Key Features
Recipe and tip cards based on your puppy’s personality.
Toys help with chewing instincts, teething, crate training, boredom, and other behaviors or needs.
What We Like (Pros)
Comes with chewing training tips from experts
Helps minimize your dog’s bad chewing habits
Military discount available upon request
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
No customization
No toy swapping
No discount for multi-dog households
Our Personal Experience
Bottom line – Our testing team takeaway: From our experience, the KONG Box has been a savior for our furniture and shoes. The toys included in the box have lived up to their reputation, surviving our puppy’s teething phase with flying colors. Not only have the toys kept her engaged, but they’ve also been instrumental in our training and play routines, especially the KONG Classic that we fill with treats.
Why we picked and recommended it:Chewy Goody Boxes are sold by the popular online pet retailer Chewy. They curate the best toys and treats from top-rated brands into special puppy gift boxes. We recommend the Goody Box Chewy because it is the ultimate puppy starter kit with all the new pet essentials to help your new family member thrive. Goody Box is A puppy gift box available for purchase as a gift for a pet-loving friend, grab it as many times as you want or as a subscription.
What sets it apart from competitors: The box also offers hand-picked items by pet lovers and includes exclusive products that you can’t find anywhere else but Chewy.
Key Features
It comes with a brochure of expert-sourced tips and tricks to help you train and bond with your furry pal.
6 hand-selected products just for puppies, including a leash, poop bag dispenser, shampoo, two toys, and a tasty bag of treats inside.
Why we picked and recommended it:Pooch Perks was named “Best in America” by Fox Business, and it is another good option if you are looking for an affordable monthly puppy box. We selected Pooch Perks as our best-value puppy box because it offers a good balance between quality and cost. The items included are comparable to those in pricier boxes, and the affordability makes it accessible to a broader range of puppy parents.
What sets it apart from competitors: They offer a Welcome Home Puppy Kit with all the essentials every new puppy needs to ensure they are well-behaved, happy and don’t chew on your favorite piece of furniture or potty on that favorite rug. They also offer monthly boxes of toys, treats, chews, and goodies. You can either start your puppy off with the puppy kit and then move on to its subscription services or skip the kit altogether and subscribe.
Key Features
Products are built with the same standards as children’s toys
Option for an extra toy for $7.99 more.
All treats are tested by human bakers and their favorite canines
What We Like (Pros)
One-time box option for gifts
Plush or durable premium toys. Toys are two-ply tough and double-stitched
Treats are natural, organic, non-GMO, and gluten Edibles are also grain-free with no added artificial preservatives
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
You need to cancel your subscription as they renew automatically manually
No multi-dog discount (or for pre-paid multiple months)
This comparison table breaks down the differences between the most popular puppy boxes.
PupBox
KONG Box
BarkBox
Pooch Perks
Goody Box
What's In The Box
2 Toys, 2 Treats, 2 Accessories, 1 Training
1 KONG Classic (First Box only) 2 Toys, 3 Treats, 1 Recipe & Tip Cards
2 Treats, 2 Toys, & 1 Chew
Popular Pooch (5-6 items)
Pampered Pooch (8-9 items)
Toys Only (3-4)
1 Leash, 1 Poop Bag Dispenser, 1 shampoo, 2 Toys, & 1 Tasty Treat Bag
Delivery Time
Ships Within A Week Or Less
Unsure, Box Takes 10 Days to Arrive
Ships Immediately
Ships Immediately
1 to 3 days
Free Shipping
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Free shipping on orders of $49 or more
1 Month Subscription
$39
$39.95 (for 1 box)
$35
Varies By Subscription Types
$24.99
3 Month Subscription
$34
N/A
Varies By Subscription Types
6 Month Subscription
$32
$34.9 (for 6 boxes)
$25
Varies By Subscription Types
12 Month Subscription
$29
$29.95 (for 12 boxes)
$22
Varies By Subscription Types
Satisfaction Guarantee
Replace Items Your Pup Doesn't Love
60 Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Replaces Toys If Pup Isn’t Into It
Extra Toy Cost
$7
$9
Customization Options
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Caters To Allergies
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Themed Boxes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Change Delivery Frequency
Yes
One-Time Option (Puppy Gift Box)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Heavy Chewer Puppy Option
Need To Message For Option
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Best Puppy Subscription Boxes — Conclusion & Alternatives
Each box we’ve reviewed here is curated with a puppy’s cognitive and physical development, training, fun, and other important aspects of puppyhood in mind. Most of these boxes allow pet owners to personalize them based on their pet’s age, allergies, behavioral issues, and more.
The only caution we have for you is that unpacking a box with your puppy may lead to endless tail wagging and could give your pup turbo-speed zoomies. If you want something more affordable, check out our cheapest monthly dog boxes guide. For puppies that enjoy treats, we’ve reviewed the best dog treat subscription boxes.
Like It? Subscribe & Share!
Sources
Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process and product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Canine Bible authorship represents the unified voice of our entire editorial team and our in-house veterinarians rather than a single author. Each article, blog post, and review published under the Canine Bible name undergoes a rigorous review process, involving all team members to guarantee accuracy and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This collaborative effort is an integral part of our editorial process and aligns with our four pillars of content creation. This approach ensures our content is backed by expert knowledge and factual information, offering our readers reliable, actionable, and trustworthy content.