As dog parents, we all want to do what’s best for our pets. From choosing high-quality food to adding supplements that promise “complete nutrition,” it’s easy to assume that more vitamins automatically mean better health.
However, not all vitamins are the same.
Understanding the difference between synthetic vitamins vs food-based nutrition for dogs can help pet owners make more informed feeding choices.
How Vitamins Are Added to Most Dog Foods
Many commercial dog foods begin with wholesome ingredients like meats and vegetables. However, most kibble and canned foods are produced using high heat and processing methods that can reduce naturally occurring nutrients.
To meet nutritional standards, manufacturers often add a vitamin and mineral premix after processing. In most cases, these added nutrients are synthetically produced and designed to meet minimum dietary requirements established by organizations such as AAFCO.
While this approach helps standardize nutrition, it’s important to understand how synthetic vitamins differ from nutrients found naturally in whole foods.
What Are Synthetic Vitamins?
Synthetic vitamins are manufactured compounds designed to replicate specific vitamins or minerals. For example, they often appear on ingredient labels in isolated forms such as:
- dl-alpha tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E)
- Vitamin A acetate
- Mineral Salts ending in “-ate” or “-ide”
These isolated nutrients are added for consistency and shelf stability. However, they are not accompanied by the full range of naturally occurring cofactors—such as enzymes, phytonutrients, and trace elements—that exist in whole foods.
How Food-Based Nutrients Are Different
Naturally occurring vitamins come packaged within whole foods, such as vegetables like carrots or single-ingredient red beet dog food toppers, along with fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and naturally balanced trace minerals.
Together, these components work as part of the food matrix, supporting normal digestion and nutrient utilization.
Rather than acting as isolated inputs, food-based nutrients complement the body’s natural processes when they are included as part of a balanced diet.
Reading Labels: What to Look For
If you’re curious whether a food or supplement relies primarily on synthetic or food-based nutrition, here are a few general guidelines:
-
Whole food ingredients (such as vegetables, fruits, fish, or yeast) often indicate naturally occurring nutrients
-
Long chemical names and isolated vitamin forms may indicate synthetic sources
-
Products that emphasize “food-based” or “naturally occurring nutrients” typically rely on whole ingredients rather than vitamin isolates
Why Many Pet Owners Choose Food-Based Support
Food-based supplements are often chosen to:
-
Complement commercial dog food
-
Add natural fiber to the diet
-
Provide nutrients in their naturally occurring form
-
Support digestive and overall wellness as part of a complete feeding plan
That said, these products are not meant to replace a balanced diet, veterinary care, or prescribed supplements. Instead, they are intended to support daily nutrition using whole food ingredients.
Olewo: Simple, Food-Based Nutrition
Olewo Carrots and Olewo Red Beets are made from a single ingredient—gently dehydrated whole vegetables—with no additives, preservatives, or synthetic vitamins.
Grown and prepared in Germany, Olewo vegetables are dehydrated shortly after harvest to help preserve their naturally occurring nutrients and fiber. Once rehydrated, they can be added easily to kibble, canned food, raw diets, or home-prepared meals.
As a result, pet owners choose Olewo as a simple, food-based way to support everyday nutrition, especially when looking to add natural fiber and vegetable ingredients to their dog’s bowl.
Vegetables like red beets or a food-based carrot dog food topper are examples of Olewo’s food-first philosophy.
Making Informed Choices
Every dog is different, and nutritional needs can vary based on age, size, activity level, and health status. Whether you choose a vitamin supplement, a food-based topper, or a combination of approaches, understanding what’s in your dog’s food helps you make confident decisions.
When in doubt, consult your veterinarian and focus on nutrition that aligns with your dog’s individual needs—and your own philosophy around whole-food feeding.
Synthetic Vitamins vs. Food-Based Support FAQ
Are synthetic vitamins bad for dogs?
Synthetic vitamins are commonly used in commercial pet foods and supplements to help meet standardized nutritional requirements. At the same time, some pet owners prefer food-based nutrients because they come from whole ingredients and naturally include fiber and other plant compounds. Choosing the right option depends on your dog’s individual needs and your overall feeding approach.
What is the difference between synthetic vitamins and food-based nutrients?
Synthetic vitamins are isolated compounds created to replicate specific vitamins or minerals. In contrast, food-based nutrients occur naturally within whole foods, alongside fiber, phytonutrients, and other naturally occurring components that work together as part of the food matrix.
Does my dog still need vitamins if I feed a complete dog food?
Most commercial dog foods are formulated to meet basic nutritional standards. However, some pet owners choose to add food-based ingredients, such as vegetables, to complement their dog’s regular diet—especially to add natural fiber or variety. Always consult your veterinarian if you have questions about your dog’s specific nutritional needs.
Can food-based supplements replace a vitamin supplement?
Food-based supplements are intended to support daily nutrition, not replace veterinary care, prescribed supplements, or a balanced diet. For this reason, they are often used as an addition to a dog’s regular feeding routine rather than a replacement.
What makes Olewo different from other dog supplements?
Olewo products are made from single-ingredient, gently dehydrated vegetables with no added synthetic vitamins, fillers, or preservatives. Because of this, they are designed to complement a dog’s regular food using naturally occurring nutrients and fiber from whole vegetables.
How do I use Olewo Carrots or Red Beets?
Olewo vegetables are rehydrated with warm water and mixed into your dog’s regular food. They can then be used with kibble, canned food, raw diets, or home-prepared meals as part of a balanced feeding plan.
Leave a Reply