Food Philosophy

WHY FOOD?

Real food = Good health.

But fresh real food isn’t always convenient or affordable.

Nurturing Canine Longevity: The Vital Role of Nutrition

We believe food is the most potent medicine for longevity. It is the most basic physiological need of every being. A few dollars a day spent on real food can prevent 6 out of the 10 most common dog vet visits. Allergies, obesity, dental disease, ear infections, yeast issues, and cancer are all linked to commercialized dog food – in both ingredients and the way it’s processed. Grain-free and prescription diets are no better, they’re still processed and not real food. We rely on dogs to detect ailments and understand how genes, lifestyle, and environment influence aging; we even test certain drugs on them. If we expect dogs to help us increase our lifespan and live free of disease it’s our responsibility to research and understands their nutritional needs and prevents future illnesses. And while there are many external factors we cannot control, we can control what we feed.

Fresh, real food is the healthiest and most biologically appropriate food for dogs. Our drying process mimics ancient sun-drying practices without damage from ultraviolet radiation, and allows us to make preservative-free shelf-stable foods. By regulating temperature and humidity, our process ensures the product retains its natural structure and cellular integrity. Air-dried products look, feel, smell, and taste real! We pioneered a new category of convenient food that connects dogs with real nutrients. Real food:

Feels, smells, and tastes real
Protects cell integrity
Looks like real food.
Has clear labeling
Has transparent packaging
Has no added flavors
Has no added preservatives
Biologically canine appropriate
Is whole, minimally processed, and diverse in nutrition. Variety is a must.
Has no high-pressure pasteurization (HPP)

1/5

- Ribs and backbone visible from a distance

- No body fat

2/5

- Ribs may be visible and can be easily felt

- Obvious waist when viewed from above

3/5

- Ribs can be felt without excess fat

- Obvious waist when viewed from above

4/5

- Ribs can be felt with difficulty under heavy fat layer

- Fat visible near base of tail on backbone

5/5

- Fat deposits over neck, limbs and backbone

- Obvious abdominal distention

It’s no coincidence that poor nutrition is linked to weight gain, digestive issues, low energy, degenerative diseases, and cancer - we’ve seen this in human health. Kibble (and processed foods) have been around for less than 100 years and we are already seeing the harmful effects of it. Scientific researchers are searching for “cures” and “treatments” without recognizing that the majority of illnesses stem from eating and feeding inappropriate foods. This is not to say there isn’t a place for modern medicine, but instead to acknowledge that there are steps we can take to prevent illness. Diagnosis and treatment is an endless cycle without emphasis on prevention. That is what real food does for us and for our dogs.

We understand your dog’s individual nutritional needs and preferences, and teach you and your veterinarian to prevent food-related issues.

IS HUMAN GRADE MORE IMPORTANT THAN SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY?

Real Dog Box will never be a human-grade dog food company, for good reason.

Why Real Dog Box Will Never Be Human Grade

THE BENEFITS OF REAL FOOD

At Real Dog, we believe a variety of real whole foods makes a difference.

Variety & Balance Over Time

Different foods offer a variety of necessary nutrients
Diverse gut flora supports a healthy microbiome & immunity
An introduction to meats, organs, and animal body parts necessary and appropriate for dogs Complement a fresh or dry food diet

Real in Every Way

Whole foods you can identify
Don’t crumble in your hands
Clear labeling and packaging
Transparent sourcing
No flavors or preservatives
No HPP

The Bridge to a Fresh Food

Other drying methods are not accessible or convenient, air-dried foods
Feel, smell and taste real
Easier to digest and transition from kibble g
Can be made at home, unlike freeze-dried or fermented
Provide the easiest transition from ultra-processed to fresh food (raw or cooked)

Real Ancestral Diet.
We have formulated our unique diet based on our research:

63% lean muscle meat and muscular organs (protein)
12% bone (calcium)
10% seafood (omega 3s)
5% liver (vitamins and minerals)
5% other secreting organs (vitamins and minerals)
5% fiber (fruits and/or fruits and vegetables)

We source all USDA-inspected ingredients specifically for canine nutritional benefits and make all of our products in our small-batch factory. We stay up to date on nutrition and industry-related news to create educational resources for our customers and adjust our product offerings accordingly. We are committed to our food quality. We don’t use co-packers or other third parties, we even built our own custom drying system so as not to compromise the quality of our food.

We don’t have all the answers, but we are sure that fresh food is always better than kibble, just like you’re sure that fresh real food is better than fast food or boxed macaroni. It’s an immutable idea. Every human-dog bond is special and starts with food.

MAKE YOUR DOG FOOD BETTER!

Start Feeding Real With Feedreal's Referral.

Don't make your dog's food before understanding what goes on it. We built this dog food glossary so you always know what you are feeding, why you are feeding. Let us help you #feedreal 👋

Prevention is the Best Medicine

Did you know that cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10? The good news is, this stat can be reversed with a simple change in diet — real food is what dogs have always chosen, until we began forcing them to eat the same processed food we were eating.

Cancer in dogs has gotten to be pretty common, especially in older dogs. Fifty percent of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer at some point in their lifetime

Find foods that are clean

What does species-appropriate food mean? Simply put - it’s the best food for the canine digestive system! Every organism on this planet, from humans to dogs to parasites and sea creatures, has its own on biological makeup designed to consume and process food to thrive. The most appropriate food for dogs is fresh & unprocessed, real food. Feed them like their mother would!

Short history of dog food

15,000 years ago

From Wolves to Dogs

Human interaction led to eating leftover scraps of meat, bones & organs.

1860

Biscuits Become Dog Cakes

The first dog cakes were made from leftover sailor biscuits in the shipyard.

1920s

The Canned Food Revolution

Technology to preserve food changed everything. Horse meat was the main ingredient.

1940-50s

The First Kibble

Made from the same process as puffed cereal (extrusion), kibble was born.

Don't rely on fake news

The internet has an endless supply of information and it can be overwhelming to sort through. We’ve already done the research so you don't have to! Before you dive into the deep end, check out the sources we’ve compiled for you. These will be a great start to your transition. Remember, it's not rocket science, it's just food!

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