Why Red Dog Blue Kat Says No to Synthetic Supplements in Pet Food
- Red Dog Blue Kat
- Sep 25
- 4 min read
For more than 20 years, Red Dog Blue Kat has stood by a simple principle: pets deserve real food. That’s why we’ve never added synthetic supplements to our raw pet food. While many brands rely on synthetic vitamin premixes to meet “complete & balanced” guidelines set by AAFCO, we chose a harder path, formulating meals with whole, natural ingredients that provide nutrients the way nature intended.
This choice wasn’t about being trendy. It was about clean ingredients, transparent labelling, food safety, and long-term health, because we believe our pets deserve to be fed like family.
In This Post:
What Are Synthetic Supplements in Pet Food?
Many commercial pet foods add synthetic vitamin and mineral premixes to meet nutrient targets set by AAFCO. It’s faster, cheaper, and easier than sourcing nutrition from real food ingredients.
But here’s the problem: these synthetic additives don’t act in the body the same way as nutrients from whole foods. And in some cases, they can even be dangerous.
Why RDBK Has Fought Against Using Synthetic Supplements for Over 20 Years
Risk of Toxicity:
Synthetic vitamins (especially A & D) can build up in the body and become toxic. In 2019, Hill’s recalled 33 varieties of canned food due to potentially lethal vitamin D levels caused by a faulty premix. Read more on the FDA recall notice.
Lower Absorption, Higher Strain:
Isolated nutrients lack the enzymes, co-factors, and trace minerals that help real food nutrients absorb efficiently. That means the body may absorb less, excrete more, or work harder to process them, increasing the risk of inflammation over time. So, even if it looks “complete” on paper, the body may barely use what it gets. Research in Frontiers in Nutrition has highlighted this difference, noting that nutrients consumed in their natural food matrix are often more bioavailable and effective than isolated synthetic forms.
Possible Cancer Link?
Some human studies suggest long-term use of synthetic supplements (especially beta-carotene and certain vitamins) may increase the risk of cancer when consumed daily. While research in pets is ongoing, the biological mechanisms are similar. So, why take the risk when real food provides nutrients safely? Read the PubMed study.
Whole Foods Provide the Nutrients Pets Need:
Whole foods already contain the complex mix of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients pets need — without synthetic additives. When you look at an RDBK recipe, you’ll see clean, recognizable ingredients like chicken, beef heart, liver, veggies, and kelp. These deliver nutrients in the form nature intended, with all the natural cofactors that support absorption and balance. Of course, some pets may benefit from extra support. That’s why we’ve also shared our favourite natural supplements that complement a clean, whole-food diet here 4 Essential Supplements For A Raw Food Diet.
See the Difference: Clean Ingredient Lists vs. Synthetic Additives
When you read the label, the difference is crystal clear. This is what a complete and balanced Everyday Raw recipe for dogs looks like at RDBK:
Free-run chicken (meat and bone)
Beef heart
Beef liver
Celery
Blueberries
Bok choy
Beef kidney
Butternut squash
Sunflower seeds
Kelp powder
That’s it. No vitamin packs. No premixes. No additives. Just real, whole foods that provide naturally occurring nutrients in forms your dog’s body recognizes and can use.
Now, compare that to a typical processed kibble-style ingredient list that relies on fillers and synthetic premixes to meet nutrient requirements:
[Whole / filler / processed ingredients] Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Egg Product, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Pork Liver Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Citrus Pulp, Dicalcium Phosphate, Iodized Salt, Fish Oil, Soybean Oil, Pressed Cranberries,
[Synthetic Additives / Premix begins here]
vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, L-Tryptophan, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.
Notice the difference?
The first ingredients are grains and fillers like rice, corn, and pea protein.
The proteins come from meals and flavourings rather than whole, recognizable cuts of meat.
And there’s a long block of synthetic vitamins and minerals — a premix added at the end to make the food look “complete and balanced” on paper.
How RDBK Balances Pet Nutrition Without Synthetic Supplements
Veterinary Nutritionist Formulated: Every recipe is formulated by our in-house vet nutritionist, Dr. Jules Mantler, using Animal Diet Formulator and consulting with experts at the Royal Animal Health University.
Batch Testing with Advanced Tools: We use NIR analyzer technology to verify nutrient profiles and ensure consistency in every batch.
Third-Party Lab Testing: Independent labs test our food for nutritional accuracy and safety.
Strict Food Safety Standards: Our facility is CFIA inspected and HACCP verified — certifications that prove our commitment to transparency and safety.
Transparency matters. That’s why we share complete ingredient lists and nutritional analyses for every RDBK recipe on our dog food and cat food product pages.
Let’s Hear From You
When you read a pet food label, what do you look for first? Would you feel confident feeding a product with a long list of synthetic additives, or do you prefer short, simple ingredient lists you can trust?
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments — your perspective helps other pet parents make informed choices too.
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