108. 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:
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 Carter@yournaturaldog.com
- Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health resources & education: www.AngelaArdolino.com
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino is a holistic pet expert who has been caring for animals for over 20 years. Angela owns and operates Fire Flake Farm, her animal rescue farm, as well as her two locations of a natural pet salon and shop, Beautify the Beast, and is founder of CBD Dog Health, which offers high quality, all-natural medical cannabis products designed specifically for pets and MycoDog, a line of mushroom extract and adaptogen tinctures for dogs. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Angela also founded the House of Alchemy, LLC, Miami Children’s Theater, and Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. In 2013, Angela was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and knew that she needed to find alternatives to the toxic medications being offered to her. After hearing of the benefits of CBD oil and experiencing the life-changing results first hand, Angela set out to destigmatize medical cannabis and CBD oil so she could spread awareness around its holistic healing powers.
