If you’ve ever looked at a pet food label and wondered what all those added vitamins and minerals really mean, you’re not alone. Many commercial diets rely on synthetic supplements to meet nutritional requirements, but lab-made nutrients don’t always offer the same benefits as real, whole foods. Understanding the difference is key to giving your pet the best possible nutrition.
What are synthetic supplements?
Synthetic supplements are lab-made vitamins and minerals produced by combining organic or inorganic substances with acids, bases, or other reducing compounds. Pet food manufacturers commonly use these pre-formulated blends of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to ensure their products meet AAFCO’s nutritional standards for complete and balanced diets. Other common examples of synthetic supplements include multivitamins and formulas designed to support mobility, allergy relief, skin and coat health, anxiety, and digestion. These supplements are available in various forms, such as tablets, chews or treats, oils, and powders that can be added to your pet’s food.
While all-in-one supplements may seem convenient, they don’t have the natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in foods that remain close to their natural state. Examples include fresh fruits, vegetables, and minimally processed meats, fish, and seafood. Whole foods are also free from additives, preservatives, and heavy processing. In contrast, synthetic supplements can be harder for your pet’s body to absorb and utilize effectively. Long-term use of artificial vitamins and minerals may even lead to nutrient imbalances, since they often lack the natural cofactors and enzymes found in whole foods that support proper absorption and overall function.
What are whole foods?
Whole foods are natural, minimally processed ingredients that provide a complete range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Because these nutrients remain in their original form, your pet’s body can more easily recognize, absorb, and utilize them. Whole foods support a holistic approach to nutrition, promoting strong immunity, healthy mobility, and overall well-being.
What are the hazards of synthetic supplements?
Relying on synthetic supplements in pet food raises several concerns:
- Lower bioavailability: Synthetic vitamins and minerals are not as easily absorbed as those from whole foods, often requiring higher doses to achieve the same benefits.
- Potential for toxicity: Highly concentrated synthetic supplements can lead to excessive intake of nutrients like vitamins A and D, which may cause toxicity or nutrient imbalances.
- Possible side effects: Synthetic supplements can cause gastrointestinal discomfort — such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea — and may trigger allergic reactions or sensitivities.
- Nutrient interaction: Some synthetic nutrients can compete with or block the absorption of other essential nutrients, disrupting the body’s natural equilibrium.
- Long-term health concerns: Continuous consumption of synthetic vitamins requires extra effort from your pet’s body to process them, potentially contributing to inflammation and other health issues. Purity and effectiveness of synthetic supplements can also vary, with lower-quality products sometimes containing contaminants or delivering fewer effective results.
Why do whole foods matter?
Studies show that whole-food ingredients provide higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients than synthetic sources. For example, research from 1998 found that natural Vitamin E is roughly twice as bioavailable as its synthetic equivalent, while a 2013 study showed that Vitamin C from whole foods is more beneficial to the body than isolated, synthetic forms.
Ultimately, natural ingredients provide nutrients in their most recognizable form, allowing your pet’s body to absorb and use them more efficiently. They also provide trace amounts of other essential vitamins and minerals that help maintain a balanced diet. In contrast, synthetic vitamins require the body to work harder to process nutrients, which can contribute to inflammation and long-term health issues.
Why Smack uses whole food ingredients instead of synthetic supplements
At Smack, we believe your pet’s diet should include as many whole foods as possible. Our recipes use only raw, real ingredients to deliver balanced nutrition that meets AAFCO guidelines for all breeds and life stages. Here are a few examples of whole foods we use and the nutrients they provide:
- Pork liver: Contains less fat and more Vitamins B, D, A, K, and selenium than any other cut of pork.
- Blueberries: Rich in Vitamins K, A, C, and manganese for bone and heart health.
- Sprouted quinoa: Provides essential vitamins and minerals linked to energy, cancer prevention, and digestion.
- Shiitake mushrooms: High in natural copper to support blood vessels, bones, and immunity.
- Celery: Packed with Vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, calcium, and folate for protection of the digestive tract and liver.
- Kelp: Source of iodine, iron, calcium, folate, magnesium, and Vitamin K for dental health, metabolic function, and immunity.
… and that’s just to name a few!
At Smack, we believe pets thrive on real foods because optimal nutrition comes from nature, not a laboratory. Whole foods provide nutrients in their most beneficial form, supporting your pet’s health the way nature intended. While synthetic supplements may seem convenient, they cannot replicate the complex balance of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients found in natural ingredients.
If you’re looking to ditch the synthetics but don’t know where to start, our meal variety packs are the perfect way to treat your furry friend to the benefits of all our superfoods! This bundle includes a bag of each of our recipes, making it ideal for finding your dog or cat’s favourite flavours.
Meal Variety Pack for Dogs ~ SHOP NOW
Meal Variety Pack for Cats ~ SHOP NOW
You also can’t go wrong with our bestselling Very Berry Chicken for dogs and cats. This meal features whole-prey chicken and an irresistible medley of berries, plus salmon, rockfish, and pork organs in the cat recipe for added palatability.
- Bauer, J., et al. (2014). “Natural Pet Food: A Review of Natural Diets and Their Impact on Canine and Feline Physiology.” Journal of Animal Science. Volume 92, Issue 9, 3781-3791.
- Burton, G., et al. (1998). “Human Plasma and Tissue Alpha-Tocopherol Concentrations in Response to Supplementation With Deuterated Natural and Synthetic Vitamin E.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Volume 67, Issue 4, 669-684.
- Carr, A., and Vissers, M. (2013). “Synthetic or Food-Derived Vitamin C -- Are They Equally Bioavailable?” Nutrients. Volume 5, Issue 11, 4284-4304.
