episode 173

Did you know?

New members can get a FREE Forever Dog Life book in their first Treat & Chew Box (December only 🎁).

Even better — refer a friend and earn 10 RDC toward free treats & chews (double coins if you’re a Wellness Member!), and they get an extra treat on top of the book.

Win for you. Win for them. Big win for the dogs! 💪

Box 132 - Watch our LIVE unboxing here!

Available until December 22nd ONLY, here’s the current lineup:

🐄 Green Tripe

🐖 Pork Liver

🐟 Smelt

🐔Chicken Feet

🦆 Duck Head

🐮 Cow Ear

🦬 Bison Scapula

🦃 Turkey Meatballs

🐮🐑 Beef Liver/Lamb Spleen Food 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!

Pup Saved by the Surf Crew

A 5-year-old black lab named Sadie gave her owners quite a scare after slipping out the front door and ending up swept into a rip current near a San Diego jetty. Thanks to quick-thinking surfers who alerted lifeguards, plus an all-hands-on-deck search with lifeguards and the Coast Guard, Sadie was spotted far offshore and pulled to safety after about an hour. Exhausted but alive, she was reunited with her owners—proof that Labs really are water dogs, and that teamwork (and a little hope) can lead to the happiest endings.

Why Dogs Are Good for Teen Brains

Scientists studying more than 300 teenagers found that those who grew up with dogs showed fewer social problems, less aggression, and lower rates of delinquent behavior by their mid-teens. Beyond emotional bonding and oxytocin release, researchers believe dogs may help shape teens’ mental health through the microbiome. Dog-owning teens had distinct oral bacteria compared to non–dog owners, and when those microbes were studied in mice, they were linked to more social and empathetic behaviors.

Why “Made in the USA” Matters More Than Ever

For pet food brands, sourcing domestically isn’t just marketing—it’s risk management. After past crises like melamine contamination and amid ongoing tariff and inflation swings, U.S. supply chains offer more predictable costs and greater trust for consumers. Surveys show 58% of pet owners actively seek out foods made in the USA, and brands are leaning into local sourcing to avoid overseas volatility . While domestic ingredients can be pricier in the short term, they provide stability, transparency, and peace of mind in an unpredictable global market.

Corn Mycotoxins Strike Pet Food Again

RCL Foods recalled certain dry dog and cat foods after elevated levels of deoxynivalenol (DON)—a mycotoxin found in corn—were detected. At high levels, DON can cause loss of appetite and digestive upset in pets. The recall affects products made in late May and June 2025, including Bobtail, Catmor, Canine Cuisine, Optimizor, Ultra Pet, and Superwoof. This highlights the hidden risks of mycotoxins in grains and why careful sourcing and testing are crucial for keeping canine diets safe and healthy.

Plastic in the Dog Bowl?

Fromm Family Foods is voluntarily recalling Bonnihill BeefiBowls Beef Recipe (16 oz. frozen dog food) due to potential plastic contamination. While no illnesses have been reported, dogs consuming the product could experience vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or digestive upset—and large amounts of plastic may cause serious intestinal issues. The recall affects products with a Best By date of 12/25/2026 sold in select U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. Pet owners are advised to stop feeding the product and return it to their retailer.

Ozempic-Style Shots for Pets? Think Twice

A new trial is testing once-weekly GLP-1 injections—like human weight-loss drugs—on overweight cats, with a dog version in development. While obesity is serious, these drugs carry potential side effects and unknown long-term risks. For most pets, safer strategies like f resh feeding, measured portions, more play, and mindful fasting are far more effective. Medication may help in extreme cases, but nutrition and lifestyle changes remain the best path to healthy weight and long-term wellbeing.

A Cold Reminder to Keep Pets Safe

A dog in Detroit was found frozen to death outside a home, likely due to neglect, as near-record low temperatures hit the area. The dog was discovered by a concerned resident who works with an animal rescue group. Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) emphasizes that cases like this are increasingly common during extreme cold and urges residents to report suspected neglect immediately. Dogs left outside in freezing weather can suffer rapidly from hypothermia, frostbite, or death, highlighting the importance of proper shelter, warmth, and care during winter months.

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