Synthetics Hiding in Your Pet’s “Natural” Food and Supplements (And Why It’s Making Them Sick)
By Angela Ardolino
We’re told our pets’ food must be “complete and balanced” at every meal—or they’ll suffer. That’s the lie driving a multibillion-dollar industry of synthetic vitamins, minerals, and powdered supplements being added to commercial pet food and sold as “essential” supplements for wellness.
In reality, most pet parents are over-supplementing—adding synthetic vitamins on top of already fortified food or pre-mixes. And the result? A massive burden on the liver, kidneys, hormones, and immune system.
What’s worse—these products are often labeled “natural” or “holistic,” yet filled with lab-made chemical isolates that were never meant to be consumed, especially not daily or long-term.
Synthetic Vitamins & Minerals Are Not Nutrients
These are chemical imitations made in factories, not grown in soil. Most are:
– Derived from petrochemicals or industrial byproducts
– Lacking essential cofactors needed for safe use by the body
– Poorly absorbed and easily overdosed
– Pro-oxidant—meaning they can cause damage, not prevent it
These isolated compounds do not mimic nature, and they don’t act like real nutrients in the body. They overwhelm the detox organs, especially in small or aging animals, and interfere with healing and homeostasis.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Where You’ll Find These Synthetics
– Kibble and canned foods (even “premium” or “veterinarian-recommended”)
– Raw, freeze dried, cooked food blends with AAFCO-compliant premixes
– “Holistic”, “Whole” and “Natural” multivitamins and powdered supplements
– Chews and treats labeled as “fortified” or “balanced”
Even many “DIY raw” recipes push a supplement powder or premix that contains these same synthetic isolates—often in toxic forms like menadione, copper sulfate, or dicalcium phosphate.
The Dangers of Double Dosing
If your food already includes nutrients and you’re adding a multivitamin or “complete” supplement—you’re doubling or tripling the dose, every single day.
Over time, this can lead to:
– Hypervitaminosis (toxic levels of fat-soluble vitamins like A and D)
– Mineral accumulation in the liver (especially copper and iron)
– Thyroid and kidney dysfunction
– Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
– Gut microbiome disruption
These issues don’t always show up right away—but they prevent true healing and can make your dog worse, not better, despite your best efforts.
Real Nutrition Doesn’t Come in a Powder
If your pet is eating a variety of fresh, gently cooked, or raw whole foods, they’re already getting what they need:
– Organs for bioavailable iron, copper, vitamin A
– Sardines and bone broth for calcium and collagen
– Cooked mushrooms for selenium, zinc, prebiotics, and immune support
– Greens and herbs for magnesium, manganese, and antioxidants
If you need more support—use targeted, full-spectrum herbal or fungal tinctures, not a powder full of synthetic additives. See attached chart for all the real sources that come from food, plants and mushrooms.
AAFCO and NASC-Approved Does Not Mean Safe or Biologically Appropriate
AAFCO nutrient profiles are based on minimum survival standards, not optimal health. These guidelines allow for the inclusion of:
– Synthetic isolates
– Feed-grade ingredients
– Additives with zero biological relevance for pets
Yet if a product follows those rules, it can be labeled “complete and balanced.” That’s how kibble with rendered meat, synthetic vitamins, and chemical preservatives gets passed off as healthy.
How to Tell If a Product is Truly Natural and Holistic
Use this checklist before buying any supplement or pet food:
– Contains only ingredients you recognize as food, plant, fungi, or herbs
– No more than 1–2 inactive ingredients (e.g., organic glycerin, filtered water)
– No synthetic vitamins or minerals (refer to our [Synthetic Additives Chart])
– Full transparency on sourcing and extraction methods
– Third-party tested with a current Certificate of Analysis
Stop Supporting the Fake “Natural” Industry
There are brands in the holistic space who do not belong—selling supplements with artificial vitamins and preservatives while calling themselves “natural.” That’s not holistic. It’s greenwashing.
True natural medicine comes from real plants, fungi, and whole foods—not synthetic shortcuts made in a lab.
Speak Up, Read Labels, and Choose Better
You deserve to know the truth. Your pets deserve real food and real healing.
If you’ve tried everything and your pet still isn’t well, it might be because of what’s hiding in the food or supplement you thought was natural. So when you see something say something, because 85% of all supplements on the market are useless and often cause harm and do not help the animal and you could really be helping someone else understand the ingredients.
Read the label. Research the ingredients. Download/Save and Refer to the chart.
And if you’re not sure—reach out. We’re here to help.
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 her website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.