About US
Our Journey to Feeding RealOur story starts when Turk and Ruby quit their dream jobs in Washington D.C. and moved to San Diego to make a real difference in the lives of dogs and their owners.
Motivated by their family Doberman, Atum, who was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, they embarked on a mission to transform canine health through nutrition. Faced with this heart-wrenching news, they were willing to try anything to save him. This led them down the complex and often overwhelming path of dog nutrition.
There's nothing like extreme trauma, like knowing your dog only has six months to live, to force you to find a life-saving solution quickly. Seeing real food save his life and understanding the challenges around fresh food inspired us to figure out convenient, affordable, and healthier options for other dog owners.
OUR MISSION
Our goal is simple: to prevent food-related canine illnesses by helping you #feedreal food.
Dogs are suffering from food-related disorders at historically high rates. Even the most expensive kibble contains starches that turn into sugars, non-bioavailable synthetic vitamins, and preservatives linked to numerous health issues. When seeking answers from dog food manufacturers, Turk and Ruby were often told to consult a veterinarian for nutritional advice. They felt belittled and questioned how a company could create a "complete" food that requires translation by a professional.
Empowering Dog Owners and Professionals
Their solution is to educate dog owners and veterinarians to invest in canine longevity. They became passionate fresh food advocates, writing over 200 articles on canine nutrition and building an accredited canine nutrition certification program. Their aim is to arm dog owners with knowledge that has been obscured by deceptive marketing practices.
Real Dog Box is more than a treat company. They don't use fancy marketing terms—they tell you exactly what you're feeding, how it's made, and why it's good for your dog. There are no secret recipes. They've led the fresh food movement by making real food accessible, convenient, and affordable. They're a gateway to the basics of dog nutrition every dog owner should know.
Keeping It Real
Turk and Ruby strive to make real the new industry standard. They want dog food companies to be more transparent and honest. You should be able to ask questions without feeling like you need a license to understand what's good for your dog. They learn, they share, and they empower you to take control of your dog's health.
Real Dog Box was created from a simple idea: Use the internet to help people feed real food. We're grateful and honored that it has evolved into a movement and community of amazing dog owners like you. We hope to make a real change in your and your dog's life. We promise to take care of your dog like our own.
Thank you for letting us be part of your fresh food journey.
Founders, Ruby and Turk
Meet the Founders
Turk Boortechin Turkish immigrant, software architect, former hacker, and international broadcast journalist. Born in Ankara, Turk moved to Louisiana at 17. Partially deaf in both ears for the first nine years of his life, he relied heavily on visuals and kinesthetics, learning to read lips and play sports through observation. Dogs became true companions for a misfit. Without role models, he became an integrative thinker to survive. Turk started multiple online businesses but found his true calling with Real Dog Box. He believes that success isn't just about grit and perseverance it's also about the partners you choose. For Turk, nothing is hard or impossible it just takes time.
Ruby Balaram First-generation Asian American and former international trade and white-collar paralegal. As a child of immigrants, Ruby was encouraged to explore various hobbies, excelling in math, languages, and music. Task-driven and thriving in mission-first environments, likely due to her military family upbringing, she helped launch a startup law firm in her early 20s. After teaching English abroad and returning to big law, she chose to leave the corporate ladder to create a space where people have a voice, where the culture is honest, and where women feel empowered and supported. Over 60% of the Real Dog Box team is made up of women, holding over 75% of leadership positions—a fact she's incredibly proud of.
OUR MANIFESTO
This is a declaration of our intentions, motives, and views. Part 3 is coming soon.
Part I: How we got here. (Why we are here)
Kibble the Superfood. Breaking into the Sector. The first of a three-part series of our journey into the technology and dog nutrition industry.
Part II: What we are doing. (What we do)
Kibble Isn't Real Food. Real Dog Box is a membership to real dog food.
Part III: Where we’re going. (The future of online dog wellness)
Coming soon.
It's an investment for your dog's life.
We craft our food in small batches, air-dry it in a single step, and deliver it fresh.
We guarantee that if your dog doesn’t love a treat, we’ll replace it for free.
