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The best in health, wellness, and positive training from America’s leading dog experts
Dog leashes are what keep us attached to our furry friends on walks, hikes, and outdoor adventures. Humans have phone, wallet, keys, and dogs have collar, harness, leash.
Your dog’s paw is a complex piece of anatomy, serving as a shock absorber, climate control system, grip enhancer, and even a form of communications with other dogs.
“Dog paw pads are relatively tough, as they are composed of thick calloused skin, fat, and connective tissue,” says Liza Cahn, DVM, a Seattle-based veterinarian. This design allows them to bear weight, provide insulation against cold, and protect bones and joints from high impact. “However, they still need protection from weather extremes, like hot pavement, snow, and ice.”
“Just like coat and eye color, the color of a dog’s paw pads is determined primarily by genetics. Lighter-colored dogs often have pink paw pads, while those with darker coats may have brown or black. Some dogs have a mixture of pink and black,” says Dr Cahn. “In most cases, these variations are completely normal. However, if you notice a change in the appearance of your dog’s paw pads, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, it could be associated with an underlying medical issue such as allergies, trauma, or infection.
The color difference is caused by melanin. Darker pads are dense with this pigment and are generally considered slightly tougher due to their genetic predisposition for pigmentation. Pink pads, which lack this heavy melanin concentration, are typically thinner, less pigmented, and therefore can be more sensitive, prone to dryness, and susceptible to cracking or burning if exposed to extremes.
Two important anatomical features of the dog’s foot define the functional structure of the canine paw: the webbing and the dew claws.
“Nearly all dogs have some degree of webbing, or fusion, between their toes. If you look closely at a dog’s paw, you’ll notice that you cannot separate each toe completely from the next one,” says Amy Fox, DVM, a New York-based veterinarian. “In some breeds, this webbing may be more pronounced, as they have been selectively bred for jobs like swimming or digging. This includes retrievers like the Labrador and Chesapeake Bay, the Newfoundland, and the Portuguese water dog.”
A dew claw is a small, vestigial toe located higher up on the paw, which is often compared to a human thumb. While often viewed by dog people as useless, the dewclaw, especially on the front legs, have a clear function in specific situations.
“For most dogs, the dew claw does not make contact with the ground when they walk. However, dogs that perform tight turns at high speeds use their front dew claws to stabilize their carpus, or wrist, during these kinds of maneuvers,” says Dr. Fox. When a dog is running and fast and making sharp turns. For example, as in agility sports, the dew claw provides extra traction and stability, acting like a specialized cleat like what human athletes wear on their feet.
Rear dewclaws are less common and often lack bone or muscle attachment, making them more prone to catching and injury. However, due to the stabilizing role of front dewclaws in high-impact movement, handlers of agility dogs typically don’t remove them, believing they play an important role in preventing acute injuries and chronic arthritis.
What may surprise dog parents is that the paw is also a powerful tool for communication. This function is achieved through interdigital glands located in the paw pads. These glands release pheromones, which are potent chemical signals.
When a dog scratches the ground vigorously, especially after urinating or defecating, they deposit a unique scent from their paws onto the ground. This leaves a message for other dogs, broadcasting important information such as their identity, sex, and reproductive status. When your dog kicks backward, they are using their paws to broadcast a lasting, complex message to their canine neighbors.
This sophisticated scent communication system sometimes leads to a familiar smell. You may notice that your dog’s paws sometimes emit a distinct odor — often likened to corn chips, or Frito feet.
“A mild corn chip scent is quite normal and is associated with yeast and bacteria (such as Proteus and Pseudomonas) that live on the surface of the skin. Paws are warm, moist areas of the body, and in some cases, prone to yeast and bacterial overgrowth,” Dr Cahn says. “If you notice a strong or foul odor from your dog’s paws, or other signs of infection, such as redness, hair loss, discharge, or excessive chewing or licking, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. Keeping paws clean and dry can also help mitigate the smell.
While Frito feet is typically benign, according to the Hampton Veterinary Hospital, an AAHA-accredited facility, owners should be mindful of certain conditions that could be signs of an underlying infection or inflammation that requires veterinary attention:
Given a paw’s critical and constantly exposed design, protection is vital to its long-term health.
The main ways to protect a dog’s paw pads are to avoid surfaces that may be extremely hot or cold or use protective footwear. For example, asphalt in full sun on the hottest part of the day is going to be significantly hotter than a dirt path in the shade. A good rule of thumb is the “seven-second test.” If you can’t hold your hand comfortably on the pavement for seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Choose walking routes that avoid the hottest or coldest surfaces whenever possible and try to walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening after the sun goes down and the ground starts to cool off on hot days.
In cold weather, it is best to walk dogs in areas where a path has been shoveled and cleared of ice and snow. For dogs that will tolerate them, there different dog booties and shoes that can protect their paws from extreme temperatures as well as irritants like ice melt.
Whether you just need to wipe down your dog’s dirty paws or want to give their coat a refresh in between baths, dog grooming wipes are a convenient solution.
The best dog grooming wipes are ideal for pups with oily coats and can help keep your pup odor-free between full grooms. If your dog has allergies, wiping them down with a wipe can help remove allergens from their coat as well.
Read on for how to choose the best dog grooming wipes for your pooch.
Ingredients: Look for ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Opt for wipes that are PH-balanced for your dog’s skin, and avoid using wipes designed for humans, cats, or other species. Avoid options with soaps, sulphates, and parabens. Note that alcohols (like propylene glycol) may dry out some dogs’ coats.
Natural ingredients like aloe and oats can help soothe dry, irritated skin. Ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Some ingredients (especially those in medicated wipes) may only be suitable for adult dogs, so check the labels on your wipes before using them on young puppies and talk to your vet about suitability.
Durability: Wipes that shred to pieces during use are no help, so choose for a wipe that’s durable enough to withstand firm wiping.
Scent: Dogs are more sensitive to scents than humans are, so unscented or lightly-scented wipes are best.
| Whole Dog Journal Rating | Product | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes | $10 | These gentle, unscented wipes are made with hypoallergenic ingredients that help moisturize your dog’s skin and coat. |
 | Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog & Cate Grooming Wipes | $13 | The Furbliss Refreshing Dog Wipes made my dog’s oily coat feel soft and clean, but they contain an alcohol ingredient that may be drying for dogs with sensitive skin. |
| Douxo S3 Pyo Pads | $19 | For everything from minor skin irritation to hot spots, these Duoxo antiseptic and antifungal wipes are commonly vet-recommended—and are easier to use than over-the-counter medicated shampoos. |
| Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes | $12 | These pleasantly oat-scented wipes did a great job of cleaning out my dogs’ ears and didn’t rip during testing. |
| Vet's Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes | $18 | These finger wipes are an innovative design to get in the small crevices of your dog’s ears but the shape may encourage pet owners to clean the inside of the ears instead of just the exterior. |
| Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes | $12 | Though they’re made with gentle ingredients and are unscented, during testing, these wipes were too sudsy to comfortably use to wipe away eye crusties. |
The Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes are gentle and are completely unscented (though they also come in white tea & basil and lavender scents). Soothing ingredients like aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber help moisturize skin and coats and leave them feeling soft.
My only qualm about these wipes is that because they contain moisturizing ingredients, they leave a bit of residue on your hands and on some dogs’ coats (especially on short-coated dogs with very oily coats).
This is a good option for dogs with skin folds, like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, who need regular wiping to prevent dirt buildup and infection. Earth Rated wipes are also a good option for regularly wiping down muddy paws. They won’t dry out your dog’s paw pads and are durable and textured to help get mud and other debris off your pup’s feet.
Since they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers, these wipes may be compostable at some composting facilities based on their guidelines.
The Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog Grooming Wipes have a light fresh scent that smells like clean laundry. I have a dog with a coat that gets quite oily in between baths and these wipes helped her coat feel less greasy. They also leave slightly less residue on your hands after use than the Earth Rated wipes.
However, this option does contain an alcohol ingredient (propylene glycol), which can dry your dog’s skin out with frequent use—especially on dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.
When my Collie got a hot spot on her tail, my vet recommended the Duoxo S3 shampoo and pads to keep the hot spot clean. I found the Douxo S3 Pyo Pads much easier to use on a regular basis since I didn’t have to put my dog in the bath every time I wanted to clean her hot spot. After about five days of regular use, my Collie’s hot spot had drastically decreased in size and irritation thanks in part to the use of these wipes.
The Duoxo S3 Pyo Pads work best for small areas of minor skin irritation, itching, and hot spots. For dogs with large areas of irritation, a medicated shampoo or mousse may be better suited since they can be more evenly distributed.
These wipes contain Chlorhexidine and Ophytrium and are both antiseptic and antifungal. During testing, I found that they weren’t overly drying (they actually seemed to help moisturize my dog’s skin) and had a pleasant vanilla-like scent.
Though this is an over-the-counter product, always consult with your vet before using any product on a dog with sensitive or itchy skin.
The Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes come in a pleasant wild oat scent that isn’t too strong. These wipes are quite big, which is helpful for larger dogs with big, floppy ears, like the hound breeds. The large size allows you to move the wipe around to a clean spot as needed. However, they may be a bit too large for small- and toy-sized dogs.
During testing, these wipes did a great job at clearing dirt and wax buildup in my dog’s ears and removed more gunk and grime than the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes. They’re made with gentle, hypoallergenic ingredients, like aloe and chamomile, that can help soothe your dog’s skin.
The wipes themselves are quite durable and, as an added bonus for eco-conscious pet parents, they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers.
The finger cover design of the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes is handy for getting into small crevices in your dogs ears and is especially helpful for toy-sized dogs. However, there is alcohol in these wipes which may be drying for some dogs’ skin. The finger wipe design may also encourage pet parents to clean the inside of their dog’s ear canals, which isn’t recommended.
The Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes are meant to help wipe away discharge, crust, and tear stains from your dog’s eyes. However, they were very sudsy and tended to get suds too close to my dogs’ eyes for comfort during testing. I also wish they wiped away dried-on eye discharge a little bit more effectively.
For anyone who transports their dogs via car—which is pretty much all of us—dog car safety is a must. It’s not just about preventing the dog from interfering with the driver. Good behavior won’t protect a dog in the event of a sudden stop or car accident. Thankfully, there are products designed to do just that.
Some of these are more successful than others. When shopping for dog car safety devices, pay attention to what the product actually does. Look for products that have been thoroughly crash-tested—preferably by an independent organization such as the Center for Pet Safety. Given that there are no established standards for crash testing car restraints for dogs, independent testing provides an important second look at the product’s safety.
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Dog seatbelt tethers are one of the easiest methods for securing a dog in the car as well as being the least expensive. They are usually designed with a clip on one end and an attachment for a car’s seatbelt latch, latch bar, or backseat headrest.
While a dog seatbelt can help keep your dog in the car and out of the driver’s seat, it isn’t really enough to protect her in an accident. Dog seatbelt tethers are rarely, if ever, crash-tested, and typically give the dog a good amount of room to move around. On the plus side, this makes dog seatbelts one of the more comfortable and least restrictive options for securing your dog in the car. However, that also means there’s not much preventing the dog from getting hurt in a crash.
It is also extremely important to note that a dog seatbelt should always be clipped to a harness rather than the dog’s collar. The reason for this is that if too much pressure is applied to a collar through the seatbelt—such as during an accident or sudden stop—severe head and neck injuries are a significant risk. A harness will spread the pressure out across less vulnerable areas of the dog’s body.
In addition to keeping a dog contained in the car, dog car seats are useful in that they can elevate your pup so she can see out the window. This can be especially helpful for dogs who get carsick as it gives them a better chance to visually orient themselves and often gets them more airflow from car vents (which are designed with sitting humans in mind).
Most dog car seats attach to the vehicle’s seat using a seatbelt and include a short tether designed to clip to the dog’s harness. As discussed above, it’s not safe to attached a tether to a dog’s collar in a vehicle.
While dog car seats may improve comfort and limit movement, most are designed more for convenience than true crash protection. With a few exceptions, many are lightly constructed and are not crash-tested, meaning they may collapse or detach during an accident.
Dog car harnesses are a good middle-of-the range option for increasing safety on car trips. These harnesses are designed to distribute force across the dog’s chest and shoulders and attach to a seatbelt or tether system.
Some car harnesses for dogs have been crash-tested, with mixed results. The best-performing models significantly limit forward movement and reduce the risk of serious injury but do so by significantly restricting the dog’s movement.
For detailed recommendations, see “Dog Car Harnesses Review”.
A properly secured, strongly built dog crate is by far the safest way to travel with your pet. Even if the crate is not crash-tested, it can provide protection in the event of an accident. The best crates will be crash-tested and have a number of anchor points which allow you to easily secure the crate in the car.
Hard-sided crates or reinforced metal crates designed specifically for vehicle transport perform far better than wire crates or soft-sided carriers, which can collapse or break apart during an impact.
Seat hammocks and vehicle dividers are popular for keeping dogs confined to the back seat or cargo area. Depending on the model, dog car hammocks can also help keep your dog from sliding off the seat and falling into the footwell. Dog car hammocks and dividers typically attach to the vehicle’s headrests with either clips or loops.
While these products are useful for protecting upholstery and preventing driver distraction, they offer no real crash protection.
While crash-tested, secured dog crates remain the gold standard in dog car safety, they’re not feasible for everyone. At the end of the day, choosing the right car safety option for your canine companion depends on your dog, vehicle, and budget. Just remember, every little bit helps.
Yak cheese chews have become a popular, natural treat for dogs, loved for their durable qualities and minimal ingredient list. Originating from a traditional preservation method in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet, the hardened cheese was initially developed as a way for people to preserve milk for human consumption. Today, this same recipe, made from a simple blend of yak’s milk, cow’s milk, salt, and lime juice, has been adapted into a dog-friendly version that has captured the attention of many pet owners. Once formed, the cheese mixture is compressed, dried, and aged, creating a hardened, long-lasting chew that dogs love.
Even though these treats are made of milk, yak cheese chews have extremely low levels of lactose, a milk sugar that adult dogs are unable to digest. During the cheese-making process, most of the lactose is removed, making the finished product easy to digest for most dogs. Because of this, they are very unlikely to cause any gastrointestinal upset, such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea. However, if your dog has a sensitivity or known allergy to dairy products, it would be best to avoid feeding these chews.
One of the main benefits of yak cheese chews is their exceptional durability. Unlike soft treats or biscuits that are consumed in seconds, yak chews can keep dogs busy for hours. Providing both mental and physical stimulation. Chewing is a natural, soothing behavior for dogs and helps release pent-up energy, reduces boredom, and can even help alleviate mild anxiety. The firm, abrasive texture also helps promote dental health by helping to mechanically scrape away plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth as dogs gnaw.
Nutritionally, yak chews are high in protein and relatively low in fat, with no artificial preservatives or additives, making them a wholesome alternative to many dog dental treats available on the market that are heavily processed and carb heavy. They are free of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavorings and provide a naturally rich source of calcium and other nutrients.
However, as with any hard chew, yak cheese chews do come with some risks. Because they are hard and dense, there is a very real potential for tooth fractures, especially in aggressive chewers. Because of this, you should always supervise your dog during chewing sessions and choose appropriate size chews to reduce the risk of injury. Another risk arises when the chew becomes small enough to become a choking hazard. Dogs may try to swallow the remaining nub, which can lead to not only choking, but gastrointestinal obstruction as well.
Fortunately, there is a clever and safe way to repurpose any leftover pieces of yak chews: Turn them into yak cheese puffs! When the chew becomes too small to safely gnaw, you can take the remaining piece, soak it in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes, place it on a microwave safe plate, and microwave it for roughly 30 to 90 seconds, depending on its size. The piece will puff up into a light, crunchy treat, like the texture of a cheese-puff snack. It will be extremely hot, so do not handle it until it cools. Once it cools completely, it can be given to your dog as a safe, tasty, and easily digestible treat.
Constipation is uncomfortable for anyone and dogs are no exception. If your dog is straining to poop, a laxative may provide the relief he needs—but only when used correctly. To help identify any potential problems early, monitor your dog’s defecation routine to ensure that everything that goes in is indeed coming back out easily and without drama. If something seems slightly amiss, there are things you can do to help your dog at home.
The best dog grooming gloves tend to be used for one of two reasons: helping to lather your dog and remove hair during bathtime or removing hair from your clothes and furniture.
Some dog grooming gloves are marketed as brush alternatives or as options to help with shedding on a dry dog. During testing, I found that they don’t tend to work well for this purpose in most cases.
If you have a double-coated dog right in the middle of shedding season and you’re pulling big tufts of hair out, a grooming glove can help. However, it’s not a better tool than simply brushing your dog out or giving them a bath and drying with a dog blow dryer.
However, dog grooming gloves are great at helping you lather your dog up in the tub more effectively. They can help you reduce the amount of shampoo you use, get your dog soapy down to the skin, and help take some shedding hair out while you scrub (they’re generally better at removing hair in the bath than dry).
Ease of use: The best dog grooming gloves should be easy to put on, easy to use to get your dog lathered up (or easy to remove hair), and straightforward to clean once you’re done using them.
Durability: A dog grooming glove needs to stand up to rigorous scrubbing or hair removal, so it should be well-built enough to last for multiple years.
Performance: We tested how well each of these options lathered, removed hair, and cleaned our tester dogs. We found options that work for varying use cases, so the glove you should go for depends on what your main use case will be.
Whole Dog Journal is reader-supported. If you purchase through links on our site we may earn a commission. Whole Dog Journal does not accept money for its food and product reviews.
| Whole Dog Journal Rating | Product and Maker | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messy Mutts Reversible Silicone Pet Grooming Glove | $16 | The Messy Mutts grooming glove is a great option for bathing short-haired dogs. It lathers shampoo well, removes hair in the bath, and has a washcloth side for washing the face and delicate areas. |
| Artero Kira Double Sided Rubber Glove Mitt | $23 | The Artero Kira glove is a good option for baths and it adds on a handy hair removal feature to banish stray pet hair from your clothes quickly. |
| FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove | $12 | During shedding season, pet owners need all the help they can get to keep their homes clean. The FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove does a good job at removing hair from large areas, like furniture, bedding, and rugs. |
| Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro | $20 | If you want to give your dog a quick wipe down between baths, the Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro are a niche but useful option. They leave your dog’s coat feeling clean and won’t get your hands dirty or hairy. |
| Well & Good Grooming Gloves for Dogs | $7 | At just $7, the Well & Good Grooming Glove is best for pet owners on a budget. It’s double sided so can be worn on either hand and is a no-frills option for getting your pup clean during bathtime. |
Some short haired dogs and single coated dogs don’t lather well in the bath, and a grooming glove can help distribute shampoo and conditioner more efficiently. The Messy Mutts Reversible Silicone Pet Grooming Glove is one I’ve used on my single-coated Border Collie mix for the past few years to get her clean during baths. She has a short coat that tends to get greasy, and if you don’t lather it well enough, it doesn’t feel clean after a bath.
This glove has two interior straps to hold your hand in place inside the glove regardless of which side you’re using. It has a soft, comfortable interior that feels nice on your hand, and the washcloth side is ideal for washing your dog’s face and other sensitive areas that don’t necessarily need to be scrubbed.
In terms of cons, the drainage of this glove isn’t as good as other options on this list (it tends to fill up with a bit of water, and the wrist strap closure is a little bit looser than the Artero grooming glove.
The Artero Kira Double Sided Rubber Glove Mitt goes beyond just bathtime. This versatile, double-sided option features one side with rubber bristles for scrubbing and removing hair, and a textile side that removes hair from clothes, furniture, and other fabrics. The hair remover side only works in one direction though—if you swipe it the other direction, it re-deposits any hair you took off back onto your clothes or furniture. Still, it’s a good alternative to sticky lint rollers.
This grooming glove is easy to put on and secure on your wrist with a Velcro strap. The tight, secure Velcro keeps hair and dirt from getting inside it during baths. It also has an interior strap that helps the glove stay on your hand (but it only has one as opposed to the two that the Messy Mutts glove has).
The FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove is best used for removing hair from couches, clothes, blankets, and other furniture. It does a good job at getting rid of hair on large couch and furniture cushions and is easier to use than some other pat hair removers, like the ChomChom.
It can also be used for scrubbing during bath time, but I found that the other bath-specific gloves tended to lather better and remove more hair off of the dogs during baths. The perk of this glove though, is that it’s long like a dishwashing glove and waterproof, so there’s less likelihood of getting hair and soap all over your hand. It can also easily be rinsed clean and laid out to dry on a dish rack.
However, there are a few cons to this option. The fingers are a bit small for people with large hands and it only comes in one size. It also doesn’t have any drainage, so if you do get water in it, you’ll have to take it off completely to empty it out.
Need to give your dog’s coat a quick refresh between baths? The Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro are handy disposable glove wipes that work well to wipe your pup down. In comparison to a traditional dog wipe, these gloves are more durable and less likely to rip, and they protect your hand from any messes (they’re especially good for wiping butts and muddy paws).
They’re fairly large, fit most hand sizes, and leave both your dog’s coat and your hand feeling fresh after use. I didn’t notice any residue during testing.
If you’re on a strict budget, this Well & Good Grooming Glove for Dogs is worth a look. At just $7, it gets the job done for folks who simply want a grooming glove to help lather their dogs and remove extra hair while bathing.
This glove is a true glove as opposed to a mitt, like the Artero and Messy Mutts option, so it gives more finger dexterity, which can be especially useful for small dogs or hard-to-reach areas. However, the material is very thick and rigid, so it needs some breaking-in before it’s truly comfortable to use.
This is another option that isn’t great for large hands, but it can be used on both your left and right hands since it’s double sided. Overall, it’s a budget-friendly, no-frills option that can help stretch your shampoo and get your dog a little cleaner.
First-time dog parents Ashley and Ryan Bremberg wanted to spoil the two dogs they adopted so the Boston area couple signed up for a BarkBox dog box subscription.
“I liked that it gave us ideas of what to get them,” Ashley says. “Their marketing made me want to get the box.”
Whole Dog Journal found that the Brembergs are among the estimated millions of people who have signed up to receive a dog subscription box of toys and treats delivered to their door.
Subscription-based purchases are on the rise among pet owners, with more than half buying online—a 33% increase over the past six years. Gen Z-ers and millennials are especially likely to enroll in online subscription services.
“This growth has fueled the popularity of subscription boxes, a favorite way for owners to explore new products that keep pets engaged and entertained,” says Patrick O’Brien, Chief Marketing Officer with the American Pet Products Association.
But how exactly do dog subscription boxes work? How much do they cost? How do you figure out if you’re getting your money’s worth? We break down dog box subscription secrets.
Dog box subscriptions are popular because they combine convenience and the element of surprise. Someone else is doing the shopping for you, and of course, whose dog doesn’t like getting a delivery of new pooch presents?
“Pet parents love getting curated selections without having to shop around,” says Daniel M. McCarthy, an associate professor of marketing at The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. “There’s an emotional component—it feels like giving your dog a monthly gift, which taps into how we increasingly treat pets as family members.”
The dog subscription box model works similarly to meal, wellness, and beauty delivery subscription boxes for people.
“There’s a discovery aspect where you get to try new brands and products you might not have found otherwise,” McCarthy says.
The secret to saving on many of these dog box subscriptions is signing up for long-term plans. Some companies offer steep discounts for being a regular customer. The more you subscribe, the more you save.
“The way it works is you get a discount for the longer you commit,” says Paul Banker, vice president of marketing for BARK, the company behind BarkBox.
For example, a month-to-month subscription for a BarkBox basic, or what the company calls a classic box, is $30. But a six-month subscription is $27 per month, and a 12-month subscription drops to $24 per month. There’s also a 10% discount for prepaying for the six or 12-month plans.
| Dog Subscription Box | Basic Box Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| BarkBox | $24-$40 a month, depending on subscription type & frequency | ● Two toys ● Two bags of healthy treats ● Offers toys only plan |
| PupJoy | $32.29-$35.99, depending on dog size & subscription frequency | ● One unique toy ● Two premium treats ● Two grass-fed bully sticks |
| PupBox | $29-$39, depending on subscription frequency | ● Five to seven products like toys, treats, accessories & training tips |
| Pet Treater | $15 a month | ● Three to four items featuring toys & treats ● Offers toys only plan |
| Rescue Box | $29.95-$34, depending on subscription frequency | ● Five premium pet products: Toys, treats, & chews. |
| BullyMake | $29-$45 a month, depending on subscription | ● Two to three tough toys ● Three healthy treats ● Offers toys only plan |
Each BarkBox contains two toys, two bags of all-natural treats, and a dog chew, but dog owners can opt to receive more or less of toys or treats in place of the other. While there are no all-treat boxes, subscribers can choose three toys instead of two toys and two bags of treats.
BARK, which started in 2011, is one of the most well-known dog subscription box companies, popular for its themed boxes, such as Howl-O-Ween Party and Barkbuster movie night.
“There’s a new theme every month that never repeats,” Banker says. “We’re always offering completely custom toys that you can’t get anywhere else.”
While BARK started out with offerings from other brands, the company now makes all its own toys and treats. Pet parents can customize their dog box delivery by choosing treats that exclude ingredients their dog may be allergic to – or selecting a “super chewer” toy option for active dogs who love to gnaw on their stuff.
Another popular dog subscription box company, PupJoy, which started in 2014, says it opened its doors with the goal of allowing more customization for customers.
PupJoy’s pre-built boxes arrive with one toy, two premium treats, and two grass-fed bully sticks.
The company also makes a “power chewer box” with durable chews and toys and has a build-your-own box preference, which allows you to pick exactly what you want.
“You can select a certain number of items from six sets of categories, things like jerky treats, freeze-dried treats, various types of toys, and then we’ve got a number of add-ons that tend to be pretty popular, like bully sticks,” says Dustin McAdams, founder and CEO of PupJoy.
McAdams says the vast number of the company’s new customers are selecting the build your own box option.
“The feedback we’ve gotten is that people like being able to choose,” McAdams says. “If they’re getting a few too many bags of treats in the pantry or they don’t have enough, they’re able to modify that easily and fix it.”
Many dog subscription boxes have similar types of toy and treat combos, but with a few different choices.
PupBox boxes include toys, treats, and accessories like leashes, grooming products, and training guides.
Rescue Box sends toys, treats, and chews, and every box purchased helps feed animals in shelters.
In addition to treats, Pet Treater and BullyMake both have a dog toy subscription box only selection. BullyMake’s website touts that its toys are super tough and also has themed boxes.
How do you find the best dog subscription box for you and your pooch?
Typically, the value of what you get in a box is worth more than what you pay. But if you want to do the math, there are a few ways to think about it.
“Compare the box price to what you’d spend buying similar items individually—most boxes offer a 20-40% discount relative to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price on longer-term subscription plans,” McCarthy says. “Consider the time, savings, and convenience factor, especially if you’re someone who regularly buys new toys and treats anyway. Look at the quality of brands included: are these premium products you’d actually want?”
Another important factor: When you sign up for a subscription, estimate what you really need, or you could end up with a stockpile of toys and treats. (Though your dog may not see this as a problem.)
“That ‘accumulation governor’ is a big driver of pauses and cancellations,” McCarthy says. “Cadence control is very helpful. If you see toys and treats piling up, switching to quarterly or using a skip/pause option is the smarter move.”
Toy overload was the main reason the Brembergs canceled their subscription, but now that they know they can pause it, they may re-subscribe.
“Our dogs don’t destroy toys, so we just ended up having so many, we donated some to shelters,” Ashley says. “But maybe I’ll sign up again.”
Seeing your dog looking unusually tired, restless, or uncomfortable understandably leaves you searching for answers on how to help. Knowing how to take your dog’s temperature is an important first step in helping her.
The normal body temperature for a dog is considered between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Merck Manual of Veterinary Medicine.
You’ll most likely use a digital thermometer, which you can find online or at pet supply store for about $10 to $20, to take your dog’s temperature in one of these three ways:
“A rectal temperature using a digital thermometer is considered the gold standard ,” according to Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, chief veterinarian of Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital in Ontario, Canada, and veterinary medical advisor for Rover.com.
While you may be tempted to use an ear thermometer for convenience, they are often less reliable and can be difficult to use correctly.
To take your dog’s rectal temperature, in addition to a digital thermometer, you need a lubricant (like petroleum jelly), and a helper to keep your dog calm.
Follow these steps to take your dog’s rectal temperature:
However, VCA Animal Hospitals warns, “If you feel stool in the rectum, try to place thermometer around the fecal matter rather than through it, to ensure an accurate reading. If the pet clamps their anal sphincter, do not force the thermometer into the rectum to avoid injury and pain for the pet.”
“An elevated thermometer reading in an otherwise normal dog may be from anxiety, stress, panting, trembling/shaking, or hot weather. It can also be a sign of heatstroke, infection, inflammation, immune-mediated disease, or certain cancers,” according to Dr. Greenstein.
Remember that a fever is not an illness, but rather a symptom that your dog’s body is fighting something. As Dr. Greenstein notes, high temperatures can be caused by a variety of factors.
Common causes of a high body temperature in a dog include:
While it’s less common than fever, a low temperature is just as serious. According to the American Red Cross, signs of hypothermia in dogs include body temperature below 98.5 degrees , decreased heart rate, dilated pupils, shivering, unconsciousness or coma, and weak pulse. While dogs can cope with small changes in body temperature, a large or sudden drop can be life-threatening. The serious effects of sustained hypothermia can include a slow, irregular heartbeat, kidney and gut damage, blood clots, and a reduced ability to fight infection.
If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from hypothermia, the Red Cross recommends that you follow these steps:
You should contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog has a temperature of 104°F or higher or below 99°F, says Dr. Greenstein. However, beyond those extremes, “A lot of it depends on context. If your calm pet has a slightly elevated temperature [of 103.1°F ] or your usually excitable panting dog has a slightly decreased temperature [99.86°F], and is lethargic, not eating, having tummy upset or any unusual behavior, then I’d be concerned enough to have that patient seen by your family doctor.”
Remember that despite your concern, never give your dog Tylenol (acetaminophen) or other human fever reducers like ibuprofen. These are highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal.
As in all cases if you have concerns about your dog’s health or think he or she may be in danger, the best course of action is to contact your veterinarian for professional guidance.
