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We're back from San Diego, and we've got stories to tell! In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms, Kimberly and Erin recap their experiences at the 2026 Feed Real Summit and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) conference.

From raw feeding education and holistic veterinary medicine to questionable supplement claims and thought-provoking panel discussions, we're sharing what we learned, who we met, and what left us asking more questions.

Kimberly takes us behind the scenes of her Feed Real panel discussion, shares her favorite vendor finds, and opens up about Buffy's recent allergy flare-up, including how pressure during a veterinary appointment influenced her decisions.

We also talk about the challenges of leaving our dogs behind, unexpected changes in their health while we were away, social media debates, generous vendors supporting animal rescue, and the amazing people who made these events memorable.

Of course, no trip recap would be complete without airplane mishaps, delicious food, adorable dogs, a little illness, and plenty of laughs!

Join us for a candid conversation about raw feeding, holistic dog care, canine supplements, veterinary decisions, and the lessons we're bringing home to our dogs.

CHAPTERS:

• Kimberly & Erin are back from San Diego! (0:55)
• Erin's experience at AHVMA and being away from her dogs for 2 weeks (1:55)
• Kimberly's 4th year at Feed Real and thoughts about this year's panel discussion (9:00)
• What Kimberly bought from the vendors at Feed Real (14:17)
• Erin's thoughts on her 1st time attending Feed Real (20:32)
• Kimberly the game host and behind-the-scenes of her panel discussion (23:05)
• Other favorite moments from Feed Real (27:37)
• Social Media conversations sparked by Feed Real (29:40)
• The supplement company that left us with more questions than answers (30:57)
• The lineup of intriguing speakers and topics at Feed Real, as well as the generous vendors who supported Kimberly's rescue (39:18)
• Buffy’s allergy flare-up: how pressure in the vet’s office shaped Kimberly’s decisions and what she questioned afterward (43:30)
• People we saw (or didn't see!), airplane mishaps and Kimberly got the flu (50:04)
• Great food, great podcast listeners, Erin's tiny dog roommate and other dog's we got to pet (57:29)
• Why Kimberly thinks some of her dogs' health issues improved after she left and the lesson she learned (1:03:42)
• More great speakers, moments and people (1:08:27)
• Planning our trips for 2027! (1:16:35)

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• https://www.feedreal.com/summit
• https://www.instagram.com/jam_is_over_it/

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast. You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com. And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com. And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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Ruby Balaram, cofounder of Real.Dog and the Feed Real Institute, joins the Alternative Dog Moms to discuss developing Real Dog Food, introducing a new dog food (choosing proteins, nutrient density, AAFCO standards, including fur in fresh food recipes), lessons from 11 years in the pet industry, and what to expect at this year’s Feed Real Summit.

• Welcoming Ruby back to the podcast and looking forward to the Feed Real Summit (0:55)
• What Ruby has learned from 11 years in business and her large breed dog that led her to develop Real Dog Food (2:28)
• Discussing the reasons why (and why not) pet parents switch to a fresh food diet (10:00)
• Ruby's approach to choosing proteins for Real Dog Food (15:32)
• Why rehydrating Real Dog Food will be an important step (19:11)
• Ruby’s approach to navigating logistical decisions and challenges of bringing Real Dog Food to life (20:56)
• Why Real Dog Food’s nutrient density means smaller portions and the pivot Ruby made to better balance calories across proteins (26:32)
• Why Ruby wanted to include fur in Real Dog Food recipes (28:48)
• Ruby’s approach to meeting AAFCO’s “complete and balanced” standards (31:38)
• Observations about the pet industry and experiences at SuperZoo (and also dancing) (33:24)
• What to expect at this year's Feed Real Summit (45:44)

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• Real.Dog (for dog food, subscription dog treats/chews)
• Feed Real Institute
• Feed Real Summit

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast. You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com. And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com. And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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What really happens behind the scenes at SuperZoo 2026?

In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms Podcast, we recap our first SuperZoo experience as exhibitors with Real Mushrooms instead of content creators walking the showroom floor.

We share what goes into booth setup, the time and money brands invest in exhibiting, the growth of SuperZoo’s Natural & Health section, standout products, favorite people, and lessons learned along the way.

And because it’s Vegas, there’s also food, drinks, Wahlburgers, questionable transportation choices, parties, wagons, PlantCon inspiration, and a lunch where I (Kimberly) was definitely the third wheel. 😂

We also get into the less-glamorous side of working a major pet industry trade show, the 2 Crazy Cat Ladies party, SuperZoo’s charitable efforts, and how our dogs and partners handled things back home.

If you’ve ever wondered what SuperZoo is really like behind the booths, this episode offers a fun, candid look at one of the pet industry’s biggest events.

CHAPTERS:

• Thank you to the Real Mushrooms Team for sending Kimberly & Erin to SuperZoo (0:56)
• Behind the scenes of setting up for SuperZoo and the work that goes into the booths (3:34)
• The growth of the Natural & Health Section over the years and the expense for brands to have a booth (6:05)
• Kimberly & Erin return to Wahlburgers! Eating and drinking our way through Vegas (11:08)
• SuperZoo gives back (15:29)
• Products we were impressed by and some of the awesome people we got to see (16:28)
• The Less-Glamorous Side of SuperZoo (25:59)
• Wagons, PlantCon and Signage (32:27)
• Lessons learned as first-time SuperZoo exhibitors (36:33)
• Kimberly Felt Like a 3rd Wheel & Other (Mis)Adventures (40:03)
• Recap of the 2 Crazy Cat Ladies' Party (45:16)
• Wait, There’s More Brands and Products We're Still Talking About (46:31)
• Dance Party, Travel Quirks and more awesome people we saw (53:20)
• Wild Rides & Good Deeds (1:02:28)
• How our dogs + partners did at home without us (1:07:04)

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• Tick Mitt's At-Home Tick Test
• Totoniks
• Gnu Bone Broth Chews
• Real Dog Box's upcoming Food
• Real Mushrooms award-winning Qrill products
• PANTA Boxes

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast. You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com. And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com. And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.