Natural Pet Supplements, Or Synthetic?

After they get over the mental hurdle of accepting that, yes, pets too can benefit from dietary supplements, pet owners are faced with an important decision.

Natural supplements, or synthetic supplements?

There are proponents for both types, and the debate continues, but understanding some important distinctions between the two can help these new buyers make informed choices.

Natural, or 'whole food' supplements, are generally made from plant matter such as vegetables, fruits, beans and grains, and animal byproducts like fish oil. Pumpkin seed, for example, is part of a natural supplement for female dogs, and is high in many vitamins and essential minerals, with many specific functional benefits.

Synthetic supplements, on the other hand, are typically created in chemical laboratories and are often derived from sources like coal tars, ground rocks, shells and petroleum derivatives. Many use fillers and binding agents, as well as artificial food colorings and flavors. Consequently, they're somewhat cheaper to make than natural supplements, but, one would have to admit, not very appetizing at first glance.

No problem, defenders of synthetics would say. Their molecular structure is identical to the active ingredients in whole foods that they are designed to mimic.

But it's not that simple. A synthetic vitamin stands in isolation from other components that one finds in whole food supplements. It's all alone, in other words, without the co-factors nature builds into food sources.

Take our pumpkin seed example, an ingredient in a natural canine multivitamin from Vet's Best . What makes it so attractive as a multivitamin is its complex system of trace minerals, macrominerals, amino acids and bioflavonoids present in every seed. Advocates of whole food supplements say it's precisely this interaction of elements that make natural supplements superior to synthetics.

Why? Because, ultimately, the effectiveness of the supplement is directly related to its absorbability into your pet's body. The interplay of vitamins, minerals and amino acids in a supplement determine its bioavailability, the degree to which your pet's digestive system can utilize the active ingredients.

And much evidence points to the simple fact that natural supplements have better bioavailability than synthetic ones. The reasons are complex, but for many pet parents, a simple explanation makes sense: animals have been eating whole foods for tens of thousands of years, so their bodies accept, process and utilize them better than they do artificially-created synthetic compounds. Naturally, they say!

For many owners, this is reason enough to choose natural supplements . After all, what good is a cheaper synthetic supplement if much of it passes through their pet's system unused?

Effectiveness aside, concerns about the long-term health effects of synthetic supplements have also pushed many owners to the natural side of the supplement aisle. But once there, they still have more label-reading to do, because even natural supplements vary widely in quality and effectiveness.

It makes sense, but it's worth it at this point to state the obvious: the higher the quality of ingredients, the greater the bioavailability and the greater the effectiveness at lower doses.

So get out the glasses if you have to and read the fine print. For natural supplements, the differences will be obvious. You'll see familiar (and sometimes unfamiliar!) plant names and things like omega-3 and omega-6 fish oils listed first; synthetics typically list complicated chemical compounds you may have never heard of.

While the labels can sometimes be confusing, many natural supplement makers make it easy for diligent owners to learn more about their ingredients online. A quick trip to the Vet's Best website, for example, informs one that bromelain, an enzyme in pineapple, is used not only to treat joint discomfort, but it supports healthy digestion as well. Who knew?

For many, discoveries of how natural food supplements can improve the quality of their pets' lives is just now beginning. But there are surely more to follow, as veterinary nutritionists find more benefits from nature's foods every day.

Of course, as with any change in your pet's diet and routine, consult with your veterinarian first before adding supplements of any kind.