The 15% Worth Taking: Navigating Pet Supplements with Kate Mahoney
In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela is joined by Kate Mahoney, food-first dietary supplement expert and functional nutrition practitioner, for a deep dive into the pet supplement industry. They explore how even “natural” products often rely on synthetic ingredients and lab-made nutrients that don’t work with the body the way real food and herbs do. Angela and Kate break down how to spot red flags on supplement labels, why quality and sourcing can shift over time, and how trends and shortcuts dilute product effectiveness. From the risks of synthetic isolates to how transparency and education empower pet parents, this episode is your guide to making smarter choices for your pet’s long-term wellness.
Episode Recap:
- Becoming a supplement expert out of necessity (00:53)
- Turning to traditional medicine after conventional medicine failed (5:37)
- Supplement quality can vary, even within the same brand, how to spot red flags (12:57)
- How trends, shortcuts, and synthetic ingredients dilute supplement quality (22:39)
- Synthetic supplements and drugs can overwhelm the body, especially in older pets (31:44)
- Cannabis and mushrooms impact multiple cancer pathways (36:00)
- Less than 15% of supplements worldwide are worth taking (44:08)
- Companies repackaging human supplements as pet products.(49:05)
- Always do your due diligence—even trusted brands can shift without warning (54:18)
- Transparency is the #1 sign of a trustworthy supplement company (58:17)
- Educating yourself is the only way to protect your pets and yourself (1:03:18)
Episode Resources:
- Download Angela’s Pet Supplement Buying Checklist and other resources at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
- Supplement Quality Specialist Certification Waitlist
- Learn more about The Supplement Academy
- Follow Kate & the Supplement Academy on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube,
- Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]
Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook
About Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.
Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.
About Kate Mahoney
Kate Mahoney is a food-first dietary supplement expert and functional nutrition practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience. In 2020, she founded the Supplement Academy to provide the world with evidence-based, agenda-free dietary supplement education. Her mission is to improve overall dietary supplement quality and effectiveness by empowering health professionals and consumers with the ability to identify the less than 15% of supplements that are actually worth using.
In her free time, Kate is a Muppet whose inner spark is rejuvenated by nature, dancing to super loud music with friends, caring for her rescued feline furbabies with her beloved spouse, and enjoying delicious homecooked food with loved ones.