Ingredients with Purpose: Organic Chelated Minerals

Here at Big Country Raw, every ingredient we include is selected not just for what it is, but for the role it plays in supporting your pet’s health. In this edition of our Ingredients with Purpose series, we’re taking a closer look at organic chelated minerals - what they are, why we use them, and why they’re essential to delivering truly complete and balanced nutrition. 

In the raw feeding community, it’s often believed that fresh, whole ingredients can provide everything pets need when a diet appears balanced on paper. Because of this, products that claim “no added vitamins or minerals” are often perceived as higher quality. 

While whole foods are an essential foundation, achieving consistent and precise nutrient balance is more complex. Certain micronutrients can vary depending on ingredient sourcing, seasonality, and natural variation - and may not always be present in the levels pets require. What looks balanced in theory doesn’t always translate to what’s nutritionally adequate in practice. 

Why We Add Vitamins & Minerals 

It’s not just a catchphrase - to be considered complete and balanced, pet food must meet established nutritional standards set by organizations like AAFCO and the NRC. These standards define the required levels of essential vitamins and minerals pets need for long-term health. In practical formulation, these requirements cannot be reliably met through whole food ingredients alone. 

For example, zinc is an essential trace mineral that supports skin health, immune function, and metabolism. While it’s found naturally in organ meats, which are excellent and nutrient-dense sources, relying on them alone to meet zinc requirements creates a different challenge. To supply enough zinc through organs, they would need to be included at levels that exceed what is nutritionally appropriate - potentially leading to excesses of other nutrients, such as vitamin A and copper. Over time, this can create imbalances rather than supporting overall health. 

The same challenge exists with calcium, which is critical for bone health and maintaining the correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. While calcium can be supplied through raw bone, meeting requirements precisely would require carefully controlled - and often relatively high - amounts of bone in every batch. Too little leads to deficiency, and too much can create excesses and digestive issues. Alternatively, relying on plant ingredients like spinach would require extremely large volumes that simply aren’t appropriate in a carnivore-focused diet. 

Examples like these highlights why supplementation isn’t optional - it’s necessary. Our use of an organic chelated vitamin and mineral blend ensures that every recipe consistently meets established nutritional requirements, delivering complete and balanced nutrition in every bowl. 

There is no single whole food ingredient, or combination of ingredients, that can reliably meet all required nutrient levels without creating imbalances elsewhere. 

Why Balance Matters 

As raw feeding has grown more mainstream, the needs of pet parents have evolved. Some are experienced formulators, while many are just beginning their transition to fresh feeding. 

We believe complete and balanced raw should be accessible and approachable for everyone. That’s why our recipes are designed to be a turnkey solution - removing uncertainty around supplementation while ensuring pets receive all essential nutrients without the need for guesswork or additional supplementation. 

What Makes Our Mineral Blend Different? 

Not all vitamin and mineral premixes are created equal. Our organic chelated blend is a proprietary formulation developed in partnership with a global leader in agriculture and animal nutrition and Julie Lauzon, Agr., M.Sc., our in-house Nutrition Expert. Each nutrient is selected with intention and included in a form that supports optimal absorption and utilization. 

Unlike many formulations that rely on more basic mineral sources, we prioritize chelated minerals to help improve consistency and bioavailability across our recipes. 

What Are Chelated Minerals? 

Chelated minerals are minerals bound to organic compounds, such as amino acids or carbohydrates like glucose. While the binding process is intentional, the components themselves are typically derived from natural sources. 

This structure helps protect the mineral through digestion, making it easier for the body to absorb and use. This is particularly important for trace minerals like zinc, copper, and manganese, which play essential roles in immune function, skin and coat health, and enzyme activity. In this form, these nutrients are often more bioavailable - meaning more of what’s included in the recipe is actually absorbed and utilized by the body. 

Why We Include Specific Minerals and Nutrients 

Each component of our vitamin and mineral blend plays a specific role in supporting overall health and nutritional balance: 

• Calcium sources (Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate) 
  Help maintain proper bone structure and a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. 

• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
  Supports brain development and cognitive function. 

• Zinc, Copper, and Manganese (Proteinate, Glycinate, Amino Acid Complex forms)
  Contribute to skin health, immune function, and enzyme activity. 

• Magnesium Sulphate
  Supports muscle and nerve function and metabolic processes. 

• Iron Glycinate
  Supports oxygen transport and energy metabolism. 

• Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate)
  Acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress. 

• Potassium Chloride and Potassium Iodide
  Support electrolyte balance and thyroid function. 

• Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)
  Supports energy metabolism and nervous system health. 

Thoughtfully Balanced Nutrition 

Our goal is to deliver meals that are not only fresh and biologically appropriate, but also nutritionally complete and consistent. By combining high-quality ingredients with organic chelated minerals, we ensure that every recipe provides the nutrients pets need, in the right amounts, every time.