Issue #84
Did you know: Sniffing and foraging are natural dog behaviors that bring contentment and relaxation. Snuffle mats are a great way to allow your dog to forage in a safe environment!
Available until February 20th ONLY, here’s the current lineup:
🐮 Green Tripe
🐷 Pork Kidney
🐟 Salmon
🐔 Chicken Feet
🦆 Duck Wing
🦃 Turkey Neck
Bison Scapula
🐄 Beef Meatballs
Real Dog Box has a new membership program that offers FREE shipping on all boxes, including secret shop orders, early access to secret shop, and free monthly dog nutrition consultations. Text us to learn more or add a membership to your account! 858-348-5954.
Pro tip: Is your dog experiencing allergies or just not loving a certain item? Customize your box with help from our member services team! Text 858.348.5954.
Food-borne illness is unlikely with raw feeding. A survey of over 5,000 pet owners (over 75% feeding fresh food) shows zero confirmed cases of food-borne illness. It appears that if you clean up after your dog’s meals the same as your own you are unlikely to experience problems! Even though there are many potential causes, raw food is often blamed for GI upset and many vets don’t test for pathogenic causes to confirm. Contamination is just as likely in kibble, in fact, recalls are common in dry food.
Celebrity chef dog food includes unexpected ingredients. Newly released details from the 2020 lawsuit against Rachel Ray Nutrish Just 6 dog food shows unsettling results. The claim is that this limited ingredient food contains more than 6 items. It found that DNA is present for far more than 6 ingredients including corn, wheat, horse, and even dog! This highlights the need for transparency in pet food manufacturing and why it’s so important to know what goes into your dog’s food.
Airborn sausage to the rescue for trapped dog. After slipping her collar and becoming stranded on a mudflat, Millie was rescued with an unconventional tactic. When the coastguard, fire services, and police all failed to reach her for 3 days Denmead Drone Search & Rescue (who had been tracking her) enlisted a neighbor to help. The helpful neighbor provided a freshly fried sausage and string that was used to attach the weaner to a drone. The team used this to lure the hungry hound back to safety and into her owner’s arms.
A potential leptospirosis outbreak leaves NYC dog owners concerned.
Multiple dog fatalities have been reported after dogs played at McCarren Park. This potentially fatal virus is contracted after ingesting infected animal urine, in this case specifically from rats. The park has been cleaned and exterminated but dog owners are encouraged to be cautious. Exact cases have not been confirmed but owners should seek immediate vet care if their dog appears ill and should avoid water sources where rats may have urinated.
Dogs go digital in metaverse dog park. The Go Joy Dog Zone, the first virtual dog park, is set to launch in 2022. This online world intends to create a space for pet owners to learn, create community, and be more involved in their dogs’ lives. These virtual dog communities are expected to become more common in the near future. With the increase in adoptions during the pandemic, more pet parents are hopping online to educate themselves and find like-minded people to share their lives with.
“Safe Outdoor Dogs Act” is a win for canine advocates. In Texas, Senate Bill 5, which aims to improve animal welfare, went into effect on January 18. Specific requirements are that dogs must have easy access to shelter and water. They may be tethered with cable ties longer than 10 feet but owners can no longer use chains, including heavy tow chains that prohibit movement. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor with fines starting at $500 for a first offense.
Unknown illness spreads in Northern England. Over 150 dogs have fallen ill with nausea and diarrhea due to an unknown source. Initially believed to be related to the coast, the illness is now popping up farther inland and in dogs that have never been to the beach. Possible culprits include toxins released from dredging or a seasonal illness that happened to infect more dogs this year. Most cases are mild while some do require hospitalization, owners are encouraged to contact their vet if their dog falls ill to be safe.