Tuesday, January 21, 2014

January 2014 BarkBox Review

We finally received our January BarkBox!  To read reviews of the current and/or previous months, click HERE.

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The Goods

 Mutt Meatballs Treat Mix for Dogs Approximate retail value $8.42.  A dehydrated mix of all organic ingredients meant to be mixed with raw ground meat and an egg, and baked to make treats.  It is a very clever idea, and perhaps a "gateway" to help people consider preparing whole foods for their dogs.  It is oat-based, with spinach, pepper, parsley, and basil.  I will definitely be making these for my crew, as the finished product is good to go in the freezer, and my dogs really love "homemade" treats.



Barksters Sweet Potato and Beef Krisps Approximate retail value $8.49.  Gluten, wheat, and yeast free treats with simple ingredients.  These are made in the USA!  I am comfortable giving these treats to my dogs, though not entirely confident they will like them.  All three, at some point or another, have snubbed a sweet potato based treat.  Time will tell.












Happy Howies All Natural Lamb Dog Treats.  Approximate retail value $6.52.  No corn, wheat, soy, yeast, artificial colors or preservatives.  And they are made in our neighboring state of Michigan.  Round jerky type treats that are easily broken.  I am sure these will be a HUGE hit with my crew.







Sprong! Football Approximate retail value $7.81.  This is a smallish, felt covered squeaky toy that honestly feels quite flimsy.  I don't think it would last longer than 1.3 seconds with any of my dogs.  For this reason, it is going in the bag of goodies to be donated to the shelter doggies.  In my opinion this would be an appropriate toy for a dog 40 pounds or smaller, and one that has a very soft mouth.





LICKS Liquid Vitamins Athlete Approximate retail value (for two packets) $2.16.  We have received products from this company in the past, most recently in our December BarkBox.  According to the packaging, these liquid supplements have a superior absorption rate compared to pills.  Maltodextrin is the primary ingredient, and apparently is widely used for post race recovery in sled dogs.  It is a complex carbohydrate.  Is it necessary?  Probably not.  I will keep these on hand and use them after a particularly physical day for my pups, I suppose.


All in all, this month's BarkBox is okay.  There is nothing really outstanding about it, and I am kind of disappointed in the toy.  The vast majority of BarkBoxes are stellar, though.  To try BarkBox for yourself, and receive $5 off your first month, click HERE.

 Disclaimer-I am a BarkBox subscriber.  I am not affiliated with BarkBox, nor was I asked to do these reviews.  All opinions are strictly my own. 


 

14 comments:

  1. That is kinda a "meh" box. That toy would be demolished here, LOL! You think people would put in more durable toys.
    Nola's Mom

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  2. I got a BarkBox too, and I thought it was January's but maybe not. Seems like it may be a mish-mash of previous item. It came with two toys, so Shiner is pleased!

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    1. I donated some BarkBoxes to the rescue my awesome old neighbor is involved with. They were all the same, and didn't seem to fit a particular month. They were outstanding, though, and the rescue was ecstatic about them.

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  3. Good idea to keep a box of things you can donate to the rescue. We got another brand of monthly surprise box and found lots of things just weren't usable for us. But the local shelter was happy to have them.

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  4. Good idea to keep a box of things you can donate to the rescue. We got another brand of monthly surprise box and found lots of things just weren't usable for us. But the local shelter was happy to have them.

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  5. I have one of those Sprong balls - only mine is round. Oddly, I haven't been allowed to play with it since I got my big girl teeth. I wonder why not?
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

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  6. OMD did you get some good stuff! I want that football! Lucky you! Love Dolly

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  7. Oo it looks a bit different from my box. There are some overlap though.

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  8. Oh wow! Looks like a great box! Great review also!
    ((Husky hugz))
    "Love is being owned by a husky"

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  9. Looks like a lotta good stuff! This reminds me... I need to go get Rita's dinner rehydrating! Better get on that!

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  10. I got the football too and want another......I did not like that it came in the large dog box as it's not sturdy enough for a large dog but I have 8 dogs, including three rescues....one of the three rescues and the rest of the dogs are all shelties and they absolutely love the sprong. Like love it love it. Can I ask where you found it for that price? I would really like to have another for my dogs. Thank you

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    1. If you click the link in the post, it takes you to Amazon, which is where I found the price. Or you can probably order another football from the BarkBox website.

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  11. Hi there! Erin from BarkBox here - I'm in charge of merchandising. Thanks for taking the time to review this month's box. I always check out your blog to see what you think of each BarkBox you receive, and based upon previous thoughts / concerns on the sturdiness toys, I'm thinking you might be interested in our heavy chewer option! If so - shoot us an email at support@barkbox.com and tell them Erin sent you, we can get you taken care of right away :)

    Thanks again for the consistent feedback - always helps make my job a lot easier when I know what my customers ruv (and don't ruv!)

    Cheers,
    Erin

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Thanks for the howls!!