About Ishca
Concept
For the days we share
Dogs fill our days with love and joy.
But no matter how long we have together,
it will never be enough.
As their custodians, it’s up to us
to help them stay healthy and happy—
right through to the end.
Since dogs can’t choose for themselves,
the food we give them means everything.
Just like us, what they eat shapes their life.
That’s why we created natural, additive-free food,
to be there for them every step of the way.
You are what you eat
Over the years, we’ve shared our lives with five dogs.
Among them, Sully— who was with us for 18 years—
taught us just how important food really is.
In his final years, Sully developed a brain tumor
that slowly began to press against his eyes.
He was too old for surgery, and we watched helplessly
as he grew thinner and struggled to walk.
Hoping to give him as much strength as we could,
we started adding venison to his meals—
nutritious meat sourced from the local wild environment.
Seeing him regain his strength after eating
wholesome, natural venison,
we came to a powerful realization—
what we feed our dogs is inseparable from how they thrive.
With Love in Every Meal
Food isn’t a cure-all—we know that.
But over time, we’ve come to believe that making each meal with love
is one small way to say “thank you” to our dogs.
Even in the pain of saying goodbye,
it helped to know we’d done everything we could.
Not with regret, but with peace.
“Stay healthy. Stay with us as long as you can.”
In our hearts, that quiet wish
was there in every bite they eat.
Vision
Ingredients from the Rich Land
of Kyoto by the Sea
Ishca is based in Kyotango, a coastal city in northern Kyoto Prefecture.
When people think of Kyoto, they often picture
elegant streets lined with shrines and temples.
But here in Kyotango, we’re surrounded by mountains and sea—
a place full of untouched natural beauty.
The region is blessed with a rich variety of ingredients:
famous seafood like Taiza crab, wild game such as venison and boar,
and vegetables and rice grown in pure, clean water.
Winters here are known for a local weather pattern called Uranishi,
where the weather can shift dramatically in a day.
As the saying goes: “Forget your lunch, but never your umbrella.”
We live through rain and snow almost daily in winter.
But from that harsh climate comes incredible abundance.
From sea and mountain, we receive ingredients so fresh and flavorful,
they’d be fit for the finest human meals.
And it’s these very ingredients we use to craft Ishca’s dog food.
Finding What’s Right for Your Dog
At Ishca, our hope is simple:
that every meal brings your dog joy—
and helps them stay healthy for years to come.
In recent years, more people than ever have welcomed dogs into their lives.
Thanks to advances in veterinary care,
our dogs are also living longer—just like us.
And as their needs evolve, so does the world of pet food,
with more choices available than ever before.
With so many options out there,
we believe the best place to start is with your dog—
what they need, what they enjoy, and what helps them thrive.
Just like people, every dog is different.
Different bodies, different tastes, different sensitivities.
At Ishca, we want to be one of the choices
that helps you find the food that truly fits—
for your dog, and for you.
Living in Harmony with Kyoto’s Nature
In Kyotango, wild animals like deer and boars
cause significant damage to crops,
posing a serious problem for farmers year-round.
In Kyotango City alone, over 3,500 deer are captured every year,
but the sheer volume makes it impossible to process them all.
While we wish we could return them to the mountains,
releasing them would mean destroying the precious crops
that local farmers have worked so hard to grow.
Their lives are taken by human hands,
but we believe the least we can do is honor their sacrifice
by using their meat in a way that contributes to the circle of life.
That’s why we use locally sourced venison in our products.
Additionally, around 30% of the vegetables and rice
grown by local farmers end up being discarded.
Vegetables that are slightly imperfect
in color or shape can’t make it to the market,
but we want to find a way to give them a second chance.
By using surplus vegetables and discarded venison,
we process them into dog food,
which helps reduce food waste—one of our key goals.
We’re committed to living in harmony with
Kyotango’s rich yet challenging nature,
and with gratitude for the cycle of life.
We hope to share the best of it with you.
Brand
The Story Behind Ishca’s Logo
Ishca’s logo features a water droplet
and the shape of a dog’s mouth,
symbolizing our message:
“To provide our dogs with the best, purest water.”
For those who aren’t familiar with the name Ishca,
it comes from the Irish word for “water” (uisce),
which is also the origin of the word “whisky.”
With our founder’s Irish roots,
it’s no wonder this word feels so meaningful to us.
One of our core beliefs is “Food is life.”
And at the heart of that food is water—
a vital element for both humans and animals.
Kyotango, where Ishca is based,
is known for its pure, clean water.
And where there’s clean water, nature thrives,
offering an abundance of delicious,
high-quality ingredients.
Ishca’s dog food is crafted using locally sourced venison,
organic vegetables,
and, of course, plenty of that pure water.
Our mission is simple:
To provide food that supports our dogs
in living healthy, happy lives.
Ishca is here to make that happen.
Rescue Dog
Supporting Rescue Dogs
Sophie, the Golden Retriever who models for Ishca, is a rescue dog.
She’s healthy and happy now, but she was born
with congenital disabilities in both front legs.
The breeder, who had already retired,
was forced to let an elderly dog give birth.
Normally, a large breed like Sophie would have 5-10 puppies in a litter,
but only two were born—
one stillborn, and the other was Sophie.
Because of her disabilities, she couldn’t be sold,
so she was taken to the shelter on the very same day she was born.
Luckily, a kind-hearted staff member reached out to a volunteer,
and through that connection, Sophie found her way into our family.
We deeply respect the volunteers across the country
who dedicate themselves to animal rescue.
At the same time, we recognize that there are still
many issues within Japan’s pet industry,
such as the ongoing problem of pet euthanasia.
While our contribution may be small,
we are committed to donating a portion of Ishca’s sales
to animal rescue organizations.
Our greatest joy is to support your dogs’ health,
deliver the bounties of Kyotango’s rich nature,
and help save as many rescue dogs as possible.
We’ll keep you updated on our support for rescue organizations
through the Ishca online shop and our official Instagram.
