episode 165
Did you know?
August is National Dog Month 🎉 and we’re celebrating in the Secret Shop!
This Saturday, August 23rd, spoil your pup and snag a FREE 4" cow skin roll when you spend $75+ in the Secret Shop. 🐾 It’s great for dental health, mental stimulation, and serious chew-time joy!
🔔 Wellness Members get first dibs with early access + text alerts. Not a member? Turn on IG notifications so you don’t miss the drop!
Box 128 - Fetch the unboxing here!
Available until September 1st ONLY, here’s the current lineup:
🐮 Green Tripe
🐷 Pork Liver
🐟 Capelin
🐄 Beef Aorta
🐑 Lamb Trachea
🐮 Cow Ear
🐖 Pig Foot
🐷 Pork Meatballs
🐮🐑 Beef Liver/Lamb Spleen Food Topper
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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!
Petunia Wins “World’s Ugliest Dog” 2025!
Petunia, a 2-year-old hairless English-French bulldog mix, just claimed the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog crown at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Rescued from a chaotic backyard breeder in Las Vegas, she now lives in Oregon with her owner, Shannon Nyman. Her wrinkles and quirks earned her $5,000, a feature on MUG Root Beer cans, and a spot on the Today show. The contest, now in its fifth decade, celebrates rescue dogs and the beauty in their so-called imperfections.
Detective Dog Turned Bee Guardian
Nine-year-old springer spaniel Maple swapped police work for pollinator duty after retiring from a sheriff’s office K9 unit. Now she’s helping Michigan State University researchers sniff out a deadly bacterial disease that wipes out honeybee colonies. Outfitted in her own tiny yellow protective suit and booties, Maple uses her nose to detect infections that can cost beekeepers tens of thousands of dollars in lost hives and equipment. Her work could become the blueprint for training more dogs to protect bee populations.
Retired K9 Linked to Tragic Death in Colorado
A retired German Shepherd K9, once with the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, fatally mauled the 3-year-old daughter of Burlington Police Chief Nathan Hill. The attack happened at Hill’s home, where the dog had been living after the end of the department’s K9 program. Officials said the dog was not trained in bite work but was secured after the incident and later euthanized. Authorities are calling it a tragic accident, with the case under investigation by the Kit Carson County Sheriff’s Office.
Dogs at the Center of Controversy in London Hospital Study
St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario, is facing backlash after reports showed dogs are being used in heart studies, including inducing heart attacks before euthanasia. Animal lovers and advocacy groups are outraged over the secretive use of dogs, while hospital officials insist the research is vital for developing treatments for heart attacks and heart failure. Experts highlight alternatives like using human tissue, MRI data, or lab-grown cells, though some say certain complex studies still require live animals. The debate has sparked protests and calls for more transparency about how dogs are used in research.
Delhi’s Community Dogs Get a Win
India’s Supreme Court has suspended a plan to remove all stray dogs from Delhi, opting to sterilize, vaccinate, and return them to their neighborhoods instead. Only aggressive or rabid dogs will go to shelters. Feeding stations will help monitor their health and reduce conflicts with people. The ruling protects the city’s “community dogs,” who have long formed bonds with residents and are an integral part of Delhi’s streets and daily life.
Rescue Dogs Fighting Flesh-Eating Parasites
Rescue dogs in Mexico are being trained to sniff out New World screwworm larvae, a flesh-eating parasite threatening livestock and potentially the U.S. cattle industry. The dogs undergo an intensive three-month program, learning to detect larvae in simulated field conditions, including extreme heat. Only the most suitable dogs make the cut, while the rest are adopted by their handlers. Currently, six dogs are patrolling the Chiapas–Guatemala border, working to stop infestations before they spread.
Study Shows Neutering & Body Condition Affect Dogs’ Energy Needs
How much should your dog really eat? A 12-year study of 438 dogs in Brazil found that neutered pups consistently need fewer calories than intact dogs, and overweight or obese dogs need even less per kilogram of body weight. Standard guidelines often overestimate energy needs, which may contribute to the high rates of overweight pets. The takeaway: tailor your dog’s meals to their neuter status and body condition, not just the numbers on the bag.
Feed Real Summit 2025 is closing in! 🌴🐶
Mark your calendar: October 11-12 in sunny San Diego, California. Two days packed with everything you need to feed smarter, feel inspired, and connect with the pet wellness community.
✨ Dive into expert speakers, live Q&As, and a Veterinary Panel
👩🍳 Roll up your sleeves in interactive workshops
🛍️ Shop exclusive vendors + grab special discounts
🎁 Enjoy swag, lunch, and VIP upgrades if you want the extra perks!
Whether you’re here to grow as a pro or simply want to give your dog the best, this is the place to be.
🎟️ Tickets are already moving fast — save your spot now: feedreal.com/summit