Synthetic vs. Natural: What’s Really in Your Pet’s Supplements? with Kara Rose
In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, we dive deep into the hidden dangers of synthetic vitamins and minerals in pet supplements and food. Angela is joined by holistic health practitioner Kara Rose, founder of Raw Paw Adventures, who shares her personal journey from critical care medicine to natural healing for both pets and people. Together, they explore how synthetic additives can wreak havoc on your pet’s health, how to recognize misleading ingredient labels, and why “complete and balanced” pet food often isn’t what it seems. Get ready to question what’s really in your pet’s bowl — and learn how to choose nutrient-rich, species-appropriate foods and supplements that truly nourish from the inside out.
Episode Recap:
- 2:50 – Why “complete and balanced” is a misleading standard in pet food
- 5:00 – How synthetic nutrients can overwhelm the liver, disrupt mineral balance, and even lead to toxicity
- 6:00 – The difference between whole food nutrition vs. lab-created isolates
- 8:19 – How synthetic vitamins can cause vitamin deficiencies
- 10:15 – Real food sources of key nutrients like Vitamin A, D, E, and K
- 13:00 – Vitamin D toxicity in pet food
- 16:10 – Why sourcing matters
- 19:50 – How to evaluate brands, ingredients, and what companies aren’t telling you
- 21:10 – Natural sources of Vitamin D
- 23:00 – Why it’s important to always read the label
- 26:35 – Sourcing organ meat, and how that influences nutrients
- 30:25 – Why pet parents must be their own advocates in an under-regulated pet industry
- 35:00 – Kara and Angela’s resources to help pet parents avoid synthetic additives
Episode Resources:
- Want to download the Synthetic Vitamins & Minerals chart and the Additives to Avoid in Pet Supplements chart? Visit AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
- Visit Kara’s Website – Raw Paw Adventures
- Kara’s Podcast – Raw Remedies
- Follow Kara & Raw Paw Adventures on FB, IG, TT, and YT
- 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 Kara Rose
Kara Rose is a Holistic Health Practitioner for both people and pets. She’s the founder of Raw Paw Adventures, an online business where she uses her Vital Roots Holistic Health Model to tackle every aspect of health for her clients from a natural perspective. She turned to holistic health after nearly a decade of working in critical care medicine after she realized that 4 out of 6 of her beloved fur babies had chronic medical issues, and saw the conventional medicine world failing not only her pets, but also her patients.
Once she used food and natural remedies to resolve her pet’s chronic health issues, she became inspired to train in Functional Medicine and animal nutrition. Now her goal is to continue to be a health advocate for both people and pets, empowering others to take a leap into the world of natural health and fresh food so they can transform every member of their house from simply surviving to truly thriving.