Issue #43
Did you know… dogs neutered/spayed before they go into puberty grow unnaturally taller than those neutered after puberty? Studies show that the removal of estrogen-producing organs too early can delay the closure of growth plates, causing dogs to grow taller/bigger than usual. This can predispose dogs to joint issues later in life. For small or medium sized dogs, the general recommendation is to neuter the dogs between 6-8 months of age. But for large breed dogs, holding off until ages 2-3 lowers the risk of joint disease.
New box, who dis? September came and gone, and we don’t even know how holiday decorations have already taken over. We’ve got a new box coming out on Monday, October 8th!
Here’s the lineup of the current box:
🐄 Elk 🐖 Pork Liver 🐟 Anchovies 🐓 Chicken Feet 🐑 Lamb Ears 🦃 Turkey Neck 🐶 Super Chew this box: 🐖 Pig Trotter 🔥 Peep the unboxing!
And here’s what we have in mind for next week:
🐓 Chicken Heart 🐖 Pork Kidney 🐟 Alaskan Pollock 🐄 Beef Aorta 🐣Duck Neck 🐖 Pig Ear 🐶 Super Chew this box: 🐑 Lamb Femur
Did someone refer you? Let us know and we’ll send BOTH of you a FREE bag of treats or chews!
3-D printing technology used to replace the majority of this dog’s cancer-ridden skull. Patches, a nine-year-old dachshund had a brain tumor the size of an orange that grew through her skull and would have been fatal if not treated. A veterinary surgical oncologist at an Ontario university used 3-D printing, also known as rapid prototyping technology to create a custom-made titanium skull cap for Patches, who is now cancer free.
Dog accurately detects early-stage lung cancer. Dr. Guirao of Barcelona, Spain, has proven that a trained dog — a cross-breed between a Labrador retriever and a Pitbull — was able to detect any stage of lung cancer. The dog, named Blat, was able to recognize lung cancer in exhaled gas. The study showed that it is possible to use a trained dog to identify malignant pulmonary nodules with a specificity of 99% and a sensitivity of 97%. “The canine sense of smell has a higher biosensor concentration than the best technology available at the moment.” This could prove useful in the development of lung cancer screening programs. Blat was trained based on positive reinforcement through a reward-based method aimed at the association of smell patterns.
The world's first anti-doping dog. Sweden's Sports Confederation says Molly is the world's first anti-doping dog, introduced to the job last spring in a bid to broaden the country's efforts in curtailing the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport.
🕊__Peace pups__. Last week Pyongyang sent two rare Pungsans, Korean hunting dogs, to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, as a token of the growing friendship between the two countries. Dogs have historically been a symbol of thawing ties between the Koreas. In 2000, Kim Jong Il gave two Pungsan puppies -- named Uri and Duri -- to Kim Dae-Jung. The South Korean leader returned the favor with two Jindo dogs named Peace and Reunification. Resolving world conflict, one dog at a time...
Upping the ante. Last week, we posted about our #Realx Challenges. It turns out, teaching your dogs new tricks isn’t just for poops and giggles. It gives you an opportunity to spend some quality time with your pup, works that little noggin of theirs and helps you build a better bond with your dog. It also gives you a chance to win your pup some free treats. Win-Win. In fact, this week, we’re upping the ante - we’ve been testing a new chew - turkey wings - and we need some real taste testers to tell us what they think. Any current member that posts their entry for our latest challenge, gets a free turkey wing to sample! Non-members can win, too! Just cover the cost of shipping.
Check out our latest challenge to win your free turkey wing - #treatlimbo
Real’s first price increase. ICYMI - For the first time since we launched, we will be raising Real Dog Box prices by approximately $1-4, effective Oct. 8th (at your next box).
You still get all the benefits of feeding fresh, air-dried treats! Minimally processed treats are a great way to boost your pet's diet! With the price increase, we still offer free shipping, free replacements of anything your pup doesn't like, outstanding customer service, and you can still customize your box. The price increase is $1-$4 depending on the box… and with a price comparison to other brands and stores, it's still a great deal!
We've also launched a few educational resources to complement your dog’s nutritional needs! Read more about this update here.
How to make a natural Pepto Bismol. Our next episode of #realcrafty is out! Sometimes, we hear about pups experiencing tummy issues - from constipation to diarrhea - and we always recommend slippery elm bark powder. It’s a natural source of fiber that helps to rebalance the gut, safe for dogs and humans, and super easy to make. Yes, I’ve tried it myself and it works - plus it has some antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties. 🙌🏽 Click here to see how easy it is to make!