Meet Ley, the dog behind Dr. Shiba's pet-care line
Dr. Shiba's pet-care line started with one golden retriever, Ley. Founder Philipp Renner shares how it grew — and marks International Dog Day with a one-day sale up to 30% off.
PET LIFE
8/26/20262 min read
Dr. Shiba started with a fairly ordinary problem: founder Philipp Renner wanted a simpler way to give his golden retriever, Ley, her daily wellness support.
"At the start, I wasn't thinking about building an entire pet-care range," Renner said. "I was trying to solve a very ordinary problem with Ley. I wanted something useful that she would be excited to take, and something I could realistically give her every day."
The fix was a soft chew that could carry functional ingredients without feeling like another pill — a treat Ley would actually want, and one Renner could keep up with daily.
From one chew to a full range
That first chew grew into four: Happy Tummy, Jolly Joints, Silky Fur and Pro Immune, each built around a concern most pet parents already know — digestion, mobility, skin and coat, immune support. The soft-chew format stayed the point. It let supplementation live inside something dog owners already do every day: hand over a treat.
"Ley is very clear about what she likes," Renner said. "But getting her to eat something is only the first test. The harder work is making sure it is responsibly formulated and clear enough for a pet parent to use properly."
The brand kept expanding from there. Kind Kibble moved Dr. Shiba into daily food. Chompies covers dental care. Magic Mist handles light cleaning and hygiene for dogs and cats.
PowerPup, a goat milk-flavored chew for puppies age 2 to 12 months, is built for the earlier stage of a dog's life — colostrum, probiotics, glucosamine, chondroitin and a vitamin complex, meant to complement a full puppy diet rather than stand in for one. Kind Kibble Hypoallergenic gives adult dogs a food option for sensitive stomachs and picky eaters.
"Colostrum plays a real role in early immune function, and probiotics make a big difference in how well puppies digest their food," said Dr. Roxanne Ignacio, Dr. Shiba's vet ambassador and a veterinarian at Jads4 Animal Clinic. "But it needs to go with a complete diet and regular checkups. It's a supplement, not a substitute."
"As we moved into new categories, we kept asking whether each product would make everyday care easier for the dog and the person," Renner said. "The range is wider now, but each product still has to earn its place in the routine."
Beyond Ley's own home
Dr. Shiba's growth has come with a standing partnership with Pawssion Project, an animal welfare group, which gets treat donations and a share of profits from the brand. The two also produced "A Day in Their Forever Home," a project with photographer Shaira Luna that placed adoptable dogs and cats — including senior animals — in home settings to show more of their personalities outside a shelter.
"Ley is the reason this company exists, so it would feel incomplete to celebrate Dog Day without thinking about the dogs who are still waiting for a family," Renner said. "Our work with Pawssion is one way we can support them while they wait."
People interested in adopting can meet Pawssion Project's rescues and start an application at pawssionproject.org.ph.
Renner's read on International Dog Day, though, stays simple. "Give your dog a little more of what they already love, whether that is a slower walk, their favorite game or just more time beside you," he said. "And if it makes their day better, keep doing it after Dog Day."
Dr. Shiba is marking Aug. 26 with a one-day sale, with select items marked down as much as 30%. Pet parents can shop through Dr. Shiba's official stores on Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop, or directly at dr-shiba.com.