I recently saw a video from Ruby Alexis, one of the founders of Real Dog Box where she shared some disturbing news. Someone is spreading a rumor that a dog died after eating a Real Dog Box chew.
Real Dog Box's Video Addressing Rumor
When I saw the discussion, I felt sadness because I know how hard it is to build a business. I've been working at it part-time for ten years. If someone began a rumor that some of my advice led to the death of a dog, I think I'd just walk away feeling defeated. But I don't have customers and employees depending on me like a brick 'n mortar business.
And, in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm a customer of Real Dog Box. I've been a customer for years and I love their treats and chews. And because I don't want this brand to go away (it's the most affordable source of healthy chews), I want to offer some clarifications. But first...
What is Real Dog Box?
Real Dog Box is a dog treat company that offers subscription treats and chews at an affordable price. High quality, great sourcing, lots of variety, and amazing customer service are just a few things I can say about RDB. When I signed up,
I told them that I didn't want any chicken treats - so, no chicken.
And if I ever get a treat or chew that isn't a good fit, I can simply ask that it not be added again. But, full disclosure - I keep the treats/chews that my dog can't have and share them with friends.
PRO TIP: All the dogs will love you if every time you show up, you have treats. Yes, I'm that pathetic when it comes to dogs. LOL
I get one box a month and it's enough for all four of my dogs. Each box comes with a variety of chews that allows me to match each of my dog's chew style.
Oh, and there's a Secret Shop for subscribers.
Did a Dog Die from a Real Dog Box Chew?
No. A dog didn't die. However, there was some drama back in 2020 after someone posted about their dog getting sick from a Real Dog Box chew (the turkey wings). The pet parent, a young college woman, shared that she reached out to Real Dog Box and wasn't happy with the response.
When I think back to what happened, that poor girl must have been terrified when her dog got sick.
Well, the group where she posted wasn't having it and they unleashed unholy hell on Real Dog Box's social media page, on their employees, and any customers that showed support. It was a week of rage and then it suddenly died down and stopped.
I haven't heard a peep about this until now.
What Really Happened?
To be brief, as I understand it, based on information shared by Real Dog Box in 2020, the dog wasn't feeling well (I think the dog vomited up pieces of bone) and after approximately $1,000 in veterinarian bills (poor woman), it was determined that the dog had an upset stomach.
- there was no surgery
- there was no blockage
- there was no puncture
There was, however, a lot of confusion about air dried bones and feeding bones to dogs.
What People Don't Know About Air-Dried Bones
Reading the comments back then, I saw that there were many people who thought that when you say bones are digestible, this means that the bones dissolve in the gut and won't be present on exam (x-ray) or in the stool.
If the bone pieces are big enough, we'll see them. They either come out in the stool or, if the bone is irritating the gut, a dog might vomit the bone fragments up (and re-consume them if they're feeling peckish).
I wrote more about air-dried bones over on KeepTheTailWagging.com where I have the following definition:
Air-Dried – bones and chews that air-dried go through a slow drying process at temps that range between 110-130 degrees Fahrenheit (43-54 degrees Celsius), preserving the nutrients. The air-drying process reduces the chance of the bone splintering when being eaten because the bone hasn't been subjected to high heat. However, because some heat is used, caution is necessary.
Determining Fact vs. Fiction
Gossip is so tantalizing. For years, I loved gossip shows. I stopped watching recently when I muttered "why can't people mind their own business?" That's when I knew that I was no longer the target audience for those shows.
But at least I know that this is gossip.
When we're on social media, it's sometimes hard to know what's fact and what's fiction. You see people in a leadership role telling you something serious, you're probably going to listen. I have taught myself to do my own research but if it's someone I trust and respect, I may not look for more information.
I hope that the parties involved in this discussion were given bad information that they're sharing without confirming. To think that someone would do this intentionally is just too much for me to deal with...we're dog lovers. But, then again, I'm not surprised to see this because...we're dog lovers and sometimes, because we are so protective of dogs, we jump to incorrect conclusions and share incorrect and harmful
information.
So, if anyone asks you if a dog died after eating a Real Dog Box chew, tell them that no dog was harmed.
While not every treat or chew is a good fit for every dog, I'm thankful to have found a brand that can meet the needs of all of my dogs.
If you haven't already, check out Real Dog Box. Each month we receive a box of healthy chews (at least 9, plenty for four dogs) and we receive periodic notifications of new items added to the Secret Shop. This is one of my favorite brands and I love their inventory and the people behind the name.
