Issue 157
Did you know?
We’re handing out free $20 gift cards to our Affiliates to share with their audience! 🎉 Yep, that means you can help more pups eat real food and look like a rockstar while doing it. 🐶💸
Our Affiliate Program is free to join, super chill to manage, and loaded with perks:
🔥 Earn 30% on the first box OR 10% on the next 6 boxes
🏆 Unlock milestone rewards — from free product to vacations 🌴😎
💎 Score a complimentary Wellness Membership just for signing up!
It’s a win-win: your friends save, pups eat better, and you earn cash. 🐾💸 All you need is a phone and a love for dogs. That’s it!
👉 Ready to join? Apply here and start earning!
Box 124 - Unpack the goodness!
Available until May 12th ONLY, here’s the current lineup:
🦬 Bison Lung
🐮 Grass-Fed Beef Liver
🐟 Capelin
🐔 Chicken Feet
🦆 Duck Wings
🐷 Pig Ear
🐏 Lamb Foretrotter
🐖 Pork Meatballs
🐄 Beef Liver/Beef Spleen Kibble Topper

Your Referrals = Real Rewards!
For every friend you refer, they’ll get a free bag of treats with their first box, and you’ll earn 10 RDC—Wellness Members get 20 RDC!
Each RDC is worth $1 and can be used toward your next order, membership, add-ons, or even in our exclusive Secret Shop! 🤑
Every subscriber has a unique referral link, which you can find in your dashboard! Don’t know your link? Text member services at 858-348-5954 or email us at help@real.dog.
Learn more about Real Dog Coin here!
FDA Moves to Replace Animal Testing.
Thousands of dogs (especially beagles) have long suffered in pharmaceutical testing, but the FDA just announced a major shift that could change that for good. Their new plan prioritizes non-animal testing methods like AI and organ-on-a-chip tech, aiming to make animal testing the exception in just a few years. That means fewer dogs in labs and more compassion in science. The FDA will even start incentivizing cruelty-free data submissions, which could spark an industry-wide shift. For dogs used in research, this is the beginning of a long-overdue rescue mission.

You’re right – Your Dog Is Listening In
A new study confirms what dog people already suspected—your pup is absolutely eavesdropping on you. Researchers found that dogs can pick out important words (like their name) even when you're not talking directly to them and using a flat tone. Scientists now want to test wolves to see if this sneaky skill came from domestication, but dog people already know: if it involves food, fun, or their name, they’re tuned in. Everything else? Selective hearing at its finest.

Science Confirms: Dogs > Dollars
A new study says having a pet is basically as good for your well-being as getting married or getting a $90K raise (without the awkward small talk). Researchers found that the joy and life satisfaction pets bring ranks just as high as these major life events. Dog owners in particular tend to be more extroverted, agreeable, and less stressed. Bonus: spending time with dogs may help lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and even extend your lifespan. So next time someone questions your raw-fed pup’s food and treat budget, just tell them it’s cheaper than therapy and better than a salary bump.

How Your Dog’s Nose Shape Affects Their Brain.
A new study using fMRI on awake dogs reveals that age and head shape can literally rewire a dog’s sniffing brain. Dogs with longer snouts (think Greyhounds over Pugs) and younger pups showed stronger connections between brain regions tied to smell. As dogs age (or as their skulls get rounder) their sniff superpowers start to fade. Researchers found especially strong “left-right” communication in the olfactory centers, which might be a default brain setting in all mammals. Turns out, your dog’s nose shape isn’t just about cuteness, it’s brain-deep!
Hero Dog Brings Lost Toddler Back to Safety.
When 2-year-old Boden wandered away from his home in Seligman, AZ, no one expected he’d trek seven miles through the desert overnight. But thankfully, Buford the ranch dog was on patrol. The dog found the lost boy, kept him safe, and guided him to his rescuer’s gate. After 16 hours of searching, Buford led deputies right to the child, proving once again that dogs really are man's best friend—and in this case, a toddler’s too! And yes, Buford got a well-deserved steak dinner for his heroic efforts. Because every hero needs a reward!
Service Dogs Transform Lives for Kids with Autism.
A recent study from the University of Arizona reveals the incredible impact of service dogs on children with autism. The research, conducted with 75 families, found that having a service dog helped improve sleep behaviors in autistic children, reducing sleep anxiety and improving sleep duration. Children also showed better independence when sleeping and less social anxiety in public spaces, with families reporting fewer negative judgments. The benefits aren't just physical – dogs like Kalvin, a lab-golden retriever mix, have provided emotional support, helping kids like 7-year-old Evan connect with others and experience calmer, more stable social interactions.

Study Reveals Why Your Dog Might Be Your Favorite.
A new study from Eötvös Loránd University finds that many dog owners rate their bond with their pup as more satisfying than relationships with family, friends, or even romantic partners. The findings highlight that dogs provide affection, support, and minimal conflict—making them a highly positive relationship. However, the study also points out that while dogs offer unconditional love, human relationships bring their own unique benefits, such as personal growth.... but I still prefer my dog.
CPCN Students & Grads — Let’s Chat! 💬
One of the best parts of the Professional Canine Nutrition (CPCN) Certification Course? The new exclusive community chat that comes with it.
This isn’t just another forum — it’s your space to connect with fellow students and grads who actually get your obsession with omega-3 ratios and poop quality 💩🐶
It’s collaborative, judgment-free, and full of people who are just as passionate about canine nutrition as you are!
📍You’ll find it under the Courses tab once you enroll.
👉 Join the CPCN course today!