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Feed Responsibly

Please read carefully before feeding.

We get it; our dogs are our universe. They are the sun, the moon, and everything in between, and we want to spoil them. We thank you for choosing Real Dog Box to include more real food into your dog's diet. We greatly respect and appreciate you for taking this next step in your fresh food journey.

We take feeding your dog very seriously, and you should, too. You are responsible for knowing what you are feeding and asking questions about things you are unsure of. We help thousands of dogs eat real food - and because of that, we understand that our products are not for everyone. At every opportunity, we educate and empower you to learn more about feeding real food - we send info cards with product information and emails and post regularly to social media. In our experience, however, not everyone chooses to follow our instructions. So we've made a very intentional effort to ask you to FEED RESPONSIBLY and to make our team accessible to answer your questions.

Your dog’s box of treats and chews is extremely high value because it is real food. And as with anything you feed your dog, there are risks and benefits.

Your dogs will be eager to dig in, but before you do… Please read this carefully, things can go wrong and accidents happen. We cannot be physically there to feed your dog, but we can certainly guide you and prepare you for unexpected events.

Start Slow - Know Their Portion Size

You wouldn’t feed an entire roast chicken to an infant. And even as an adult, you know that you should split that up into several meals.

Each “chew” in your dog’s box… is real food. Look at the size of the chew and the size of your dog. A toy breed-sized dog could eat a duck wing in 4 to 6 sessions, while a large breed could eat it in one.

One real chew a day can help keep your dog’s teeth clean. A chew session under 10 minutes is more than sufficient.

Will some of you feed more than that? Inevitably, the answer is: yes.

And we will do our best to guide you when that happens.

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Supervise While Chewing

Never leave your dog alone with a chew. Think of this time as a time to be “together.” You’re the source of your dog’s happiness and their guardian, so watch over them to ensure they aren’t gulping down more than they can chew.
For chew instructions, visit: real.dog/how-to-chew

Shelf Life & Storage

Treat your treats and chews like real food. We don’t add preservatives or chemicals to make them artificially stay stable. Each of your boxes has nutrition cards that cover the shelf life and storage instructions for each item. We recommend keeping your Real dog treats and chews in a cool, dry place. Storing them in the freezer will extend the shelf life substantially.
Just like you would not eat salad that has been sitting out forever, don’t feed your dog any of its food past its stated shelf life.
If you need more clarification, just ask! We are one of the few companies available by text message, fully staffed by certified canine nutritionists. We are one text away: 858-348-5954
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Nutrient-Dense - A Small Amount Goes A Long Way

All of our treats are nutrient-dense. A small portion goes a long way, so take it slow.
Organ treats, specifically, are extremely nutrient-dense. Feed no more than a few small pieces in any one sitting.
For feeding instructions, visit How to introduce your dog to Real Dog Box Treats.
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What Are The Risks Involved In Fresh Feeding?

Every dog is unique, with varying lifestyles and personalities. It’s important to watch over them because, in their excitement (or in yours), they might eat (or be fed) more than they should.
Tummy issues are normal. It’s your dog telling you they had too much. Just like we might eat more than we should and feel ill, the same thing happens to your dog.
In most cases, home treatment of slippery elm, a bland diet, hydration, and bed rest is all your dog needs.
In rare cases, your dog might need medical attention. Take them to the vet, contact us, and notify us of what has occurred.
Tooth fractures might occur as well. Various factors can contribute to this, especially - your dog’s dental health and chewing style. Or a bone might get stuck, causing an impaction in the digestive tract or a choking hazard. Contact your vet and team.
There is a real risk when you feed your dog a chew or a bone. Always monitor and supervise your dog and ensure it responds to a drop-it command. Even experienced raw feeders treat each bone they feed as if it's the first bone they have ever fed their dog.

Know Your Dog

There are specific differences within dog breeds, some of which can affect how you feed your dog. So let’s look at some examples.
1. Zinc malabsorption that leads to a zinc deficiency is caused by a genetic mutation in Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Saint Bernards, and Great Danes. If you have one of these breeds or a dog that is a mix with these breeds, watch for signs of zinc deficiency, including fertility issues, impaired healing of wounds, hair loss, parakeratosis (hard, thick patches of skin on a dog’s paws and nose), vomiting, hair color depigmentation, and conjunctivitis.
2. Zinc malabsorption that leads to a zinc deficiency is caused by a genetic mutation in Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Saint Bernards, and Great Danes. If you have one of these breeds or a dog that is a mix with these breeds, watch for signs of zinc deficiency, including fertility issues, impaired healing of wounds, hair loss, parakeratosis (hard, thick patches of skin on a dog’s paws and nose), vomiting, hair color depigmentation, and conjunctivitis.
  • Dalmatians are predisposed to developing urate bladder stones due to a genetic mutation that affects the metabolism of purines, leading to an elevated uric acid level in their urine. Yorkshire Teries are also prone to rate stones. Organ meat and other food with high levels of purine should be fed to these dogs.
  • Miniature Schnauzers and Bichon Frises are prone to developing calcium oxalate bladder stones. Avoid feeding your dog nuts, rhubarb, beets, green beans, and spinach.
  • Shih Tzus are predisposed to developing struvite bladder stones composed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate. Diets with lower levels of animal proteins are recommended.
  • Newfoundlands, English Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Mastiffs are all genetically predisposed to cystine bladder stones. Reducing the level of methionine, an amino acid in meat, or increasing the amount of vegetables in their diet may help with these stones.
3. Several breeds, including but not limited to Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Great Danes, and Irish Setters, have a high incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease in dogs that weakens heart muscle over time. There was confusion that grain-free foods were the cause of an increase in DCM over the past several years, causing some raw feeders to worry. However, raw diets with a variety of proteins and organs will actually help prevent DCM because your dog will get all of the amino acids needed to maintain the heart. Breeds with a high incidence of DCM may need extra taurine or heart muscle meat in their diets.
If you have a dog breed predisposed to any of the listed conditions, keep your vet in the loop with what you are feeding and monitor your dog’s health closely.
Dietary adjustments may be needed as conditions are discovered. But switching to a commercial prescription diet does not have to be the answer.
The Real Dog Wellness Membership includes a free monthly consultation with one of our Certified Professional Canine Nutritionists to discuss raw feeding options. Also think about enrolling in the Canine Nutrition Course for Dog Parents at the Feed Real Institute.
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Real Dog Wellness Membership

Feeding real food is easy with Real Dog Wellness Membership!

How Much Food Should You Give Your Dog?

There are several ways to calculate how much food your dog needs, but basically, it depends on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level. Measuring in weight measurements, pounds or kilograms, is more straightforward than figuring out how many calories your dog needs. Keep in mind that every dog is different and you’ll need to make adjustments for your individual dog. General guidelines are:

Not very active dogs need about 2% of their body weight daily. Not very active means that your dog gets less than 1 hour of exercise daily. Most house dogs fall into this category.

Somewhat active dogs need about 2.5% of their body weight daily. Somewhat active dogs get around 2 hours of exercise daily.

Very active dogs need about 3% of their body weight daily. Very active dogs are those getting 3 hours of exercise daily.

Super active dogs need about 3.5% of their body weight daily. A super-active dog gets 4 or more hours of exercise each day.

Feeding according to activity level is essential for obesity prevention. Over 50% of the dogs in the US are overweight or obese.

Watching your dog’s body condition and adjusting the amount of food provided will help keep off those unwanted extra pounds.

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Feed Real Food

We continue to serve you and other dog families because we believe that a variety of fresh real food is better than the same dry processed food everyday.
We want to make fresh food accessible to you so your dog lives a longer and healthier life.
Ultimately, your dog counts on you to make the best decisions for them.
And so feed your dog, the one in front of you, and the one sharing your home in accordance with their individual needs. Every dog is different, and these are just feeding guidelines. Feeding responsibly means monitoring your dog's health markers and being prepared to make adjustments.
Please #feedresponsibly

It's an investment for your dog's life.

We will take good care of you! But don’t take our word for it, read what dogs and their owners are saying about us and let us help you feed your dog real food, too!