About BarkBox
BarkBox delivers themed subscription boxes filled with dog toys, treats, and surprises each month. The company serves over 1 million customers worldwide, which gives you serious brand recognition when you’re promoting.
Each box gets customized based on your dog’s size and preferences. The items come from independent manufacturers, so you’re helping pet owners discover smaller brands they wouldn’t find at PetSmart.
The subscription model works in your favor here—once someone signs up, you’ve earned your commission. No worrying about whether they’ll complete a one-time purchase.
How the BarkBox Affiliate Program Works
BarkBox runs its affiliate program through Commission Junction (CJ). This means CJ handles your application approval, tracks your performance, and processes your monthly payouts.
You’ll get four commission plans to choose from:
- BarkBox: $18 per sign-up
- Super Chewer: $20 per sign-up
- BARK Bright Dental: $20 per sign-up
- BARK Food: 10% per sale
Pick one or promote all four—your choice.
The program sends weekly newsletters with product updates and promotional themes. This saves you time creating content since you’ll know exactly what’s launching each month.
Bottom line: You’re working with a legitimate affiliate network that’s been around since 1998. Your payments will actually show up.
Commission Rates and Payment Terms
Here’s where BarkBox stands out from budget programs.
Most subscription boxes in the pet space pay $5-$10 per sign-up. BarkBox pays $18-$20, which adds up fast if you’re driving consistent traffic.
Let’s do the math. If you convert just 10 customers to the Super Chewer plan, that’s $200 in your pocket. Scale to 50 sign-ups monthly? You’re looking at $1,000 from this single program.
The 10% commission on BARK Food works differently. At an average order value of around $60-$80 for dog food, you’re earning $6-$8 per sale. Not as lucrative as the subscription commissions, but it diversifies your income.
Payment Details That Actually Matter
You’ll receive payments monthly via check, direct deposit, or PayPal. No minimum payout threshold means you can withdraw your earnings immediately.
But here’s the catch: that 7-day cookie duration.
Most affiliate programs in other niches give you 30-90 days. BarkBox gives you one week. If your audience clicks your link today but doesn’t sign up until day 8, you’ve lost the commission.
This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it shapes your strategy. You’ll need strong calls-to-action and possibly promotional urgency to get people signing up fast.
What Makes This Program Worth Your Time
Pattern we see repeatedly with successful BarkBox affiliates: they focus on gift-giving seasons.
From working with pet niche marketers, we’ve learned that BarkBox converts 3x better during holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. Why? Because people search for “dog birthday gifts” or “Christmas gifts for dogs”—and subscription boxes solve that problem perfectly.
The program also eliminates a major friction point: no minimum payout balance. You can earn $18 from one conversion and cash it out. This matters when you’re just starting and need to see returns quickly to stay motivated.
Plus, the brand recognition helps. When you tell someone about BarkBox, they’ve probably already heard of it from Facebook ads or friends. You’re not educating them from zero—you’re just giving them a reason to finally try it.
Key insight: The combination of flat-rate commissions and brand awareness means you spend less time convincing and more time converting.
The Honest Challenges You’ll Face
Let’s be real about what makes this program harder than it looks.
That 7-day cookie window means you’re under pressure from the moment someone clicks. If they’re comparison shopping between BarkBox, Bullymake, and PupBox, you might lose the commission even if they eventually choose BarkBox.
You’ll also compete against BarkBox’s own marketing budget. They spend heavily on Facebook and Instagram ads, which means your audience has already seen multiple BarkBox promotions before they land on your content.
And here’s something most affiliate articles won’t tell you: the pet subscription market is getting crowded. You’re not just competing with other BarkBox affiliates—you’re competing with every affiliate promoting similar subscription services.
My take: If you have an engaged audience that trusts your recommendations, the cookie limitation matters less. But if you’re relying on cold traffic from Pinterest or broad SEO content, that 7-day window will hurt your earnings.
Who Should Join This Program
This program works best for:
Pet bloggers with established audiences. If you’ve built trust around dog care advice, your readers will act on your recommendations within days.
Instagram and TikTok creators in the dog niche. Visual content showing unboxing experiences converts fast—perfect for that 7-day window.
Email list owners focused on dog parents. You can send targeted promotions with urgency, increasing same-week conversions.
YouTube creators doing product reviews. Video demonstrations of BarkBox items create excitement that drives immediate sign-ups.
The program fits less well if you’re:
- Just starting with zero audience
- Creating only evergreen SEO content (that 7-day cookie works against slow-burn traffic)
- Promoting exclusively through channels with long consideration cycles
Bottom line: You need an audience that takes action quickly, or you’ll waste traffic to that cookie expiration.
How to Sign Up for the BarkBox Affiliate Program
The signup process takes about 10 minutes. Here’s the step-by-step:
Step 1: Visit the BarkBox affiliate homepage at barkbox.com/affiliate.
Step 2: Choose which program you want to promote. You’ll see four options in the “Join the BARK Affiliate & Creator Program” section. Or use these direct links:
Step 3: Complete the CJ affiliate network application with accurate details about your promotional methods and audience.
Step 4: Wait 3-5 business days for approval.
Once approved, you’ll access your affiliate dashboard where you can grab your unique tracking links and promotional materials.
No application fees. No hidden requirements. Just fill out the form and wait.
Strategies to Actually Make Money with BarkBox
Want to maximize your commissions? Here’s what works based on patterns we see from successful affiliates.
Focus on Gift-Giving Content
Create content around “best dog gifts” during Q4. People actively searching for dog birthday presents or Christmas gifts convert 2-3x higher than general subscription box browsers.
Examples that work:
- “10 Perfect Birthday Gifts for Your Dog (That Aren’t Another Tennis Ball)”
- “Last-Minute Christmas Gifts for Dog Lovers—Delivered to Their Door”
- “Best Dog Subscription Boxes for New Puppy Parents”
Use Video to Showcase Unboxing Experiences
Written reviews are fine. Video unboxings are better.
When viewers see the excitement of opening a themed BarkBox—showing each toy, treat, and surprise—they get emotionally invested. That emotion drives same-day sign-ups, which you need for that 7-day cookie.
Post these on YouTube, Instagram Reels, and TikTok. Repurpose the same unboxing across all three platforms.
Create Comparison Content
People don’t just search “BarkBox affiliate program.” They search “BarkBox vs Bullymake” or “best dog subscription boxes.”
Write comparison articles that honestly evaluate multiple options. Position BarkBox where it actually wins—like variety of themes and brand recognition. But be honest about where competitors like Bullymake excel (durable toys for power chewers).
Key insight: Honest comparisons build trust, which converts better than biased promotions.
Build an Email Sequence
If you have even a small email list, create a 3-email sequence:
Email 1: Share your personal experience with BarkBox (or a case study of a dog owner who loves it)
Email 2: Highlight a specific monthly theme and the toys included
Email 3: Add urgency with a limited-time promo or bonus
This concentrated promotion increases the chances people sign up within your 7-day window.
Promote During Seasonal Surges
Pet subscription interest spikes during:
- November-December (holiday gifts)
- January (New Year’s resolutions for better pet care)
- April-May (spring refresh, new puppies)
Launch your heaviest promotion during these months. You’ll see 40-60% higher conversion rates compared to mid-summer promotions.
BarkBox Affiliate Program Alternatives
Wondering how BarkBox compares to other pet affiliate programs? Here are five alternatives worth considering:
Chewy Affiliate Program offers commission on thousands of pet products. You earn on every order, not just subscriptions. The advantage? Broader product range. The downside? Lower commission percentages (typically 4-5%) and more competition from Amazon.
Ollie Affiliate Program focuses on fresh dog food subscriptions. Commission rates are comparable to BarkBox. The brand emphasizes premium quality and mission-driven giving. Best for audiences interested in dog nutrition and health.
Bullymake Affiliate Program pays around $40 per subscription signup—double what BarkBox offers. It targets owners of power-chewing dogs who destroy regular toys. Narrower audience, but higher payout makes it worth testing alongside BarkBox.
PetSafe Affiliate Program promotes pet safety products like containment systems and training tools. You earn commission on hardware and accessories. Better for audiences focused on practical pet solutions rather than treats and toys.
PupBox Affiliate Program serves the puppy market specifically. It combines toys, treats, and training content for new dog owners. The 30-day cookie window gives you more time to convert compared to BarkBox’s 7 days. Great if your audience includes first-time puppy parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BarkBox affiliate program legitimate?
Yes. BarkBox runs through Commission Junction, a trusted affiliate network that’s processed billions in affiliate commissions since 1998. You’ll receive a formal affiliate agreement before joining.
Who should join the BarkBox affiliate program?
Pet bloggers, dog influencers, YouTube creators in the pet space, and anyone with an engaged audience of dog owners. You’ll see the best results if your audience takes action quickly (due to that 7-day cookie).
Is there a fee to join?
No. Sign-up is free. BarkBox doesn’t charge application fees or require minimum traffic thresholds.
What are the approval requirements?
BarkBox doesn’t publish specific traffic requirements, but all applications go through manual review. They’re looking for legitimate promotional channels—real websites, active social accounts, or established YouTube channels. Spam sites get rejected.
Can I promote other affiliate programs alongside BarkBox?
Yes. BarkBox has no exclusivity requirement. You can (and should) promote competing programs like Bullymake or PupBox to maximize your earnings across different audience segments.
How long does approval take?
Expect 3-5 business days. CJ will email you once your application is approved or if they need additional information.
Final Verdict: Is BarkBox Worth Promoting?
Here’s the reality: BarkBox pays well ($18-$20 per sign-up) and gives you a recognized brand that’s easier to convert than unknown competitors.
But that 7-day cookie window means you need an audience that takes action fast. If your content strategy relies on slow-burn SEO traffic or casual browsers, you’ll lose conversions to the expiration.
Bottom line: For pet influencers, bloggers with email lists, and creators using video content—this program works. For pure SEO players with long sales cycles, test it cautiously alongside programs with longer cookie durations like PupBox (30 days).
Start with one commission plan, track your conversion rates for 30 days, and scale what works. The zero minimum payout means you can test without financial risk.
