Heart and Soul Pet Food

14/04/2024

Just like people, pets can have sensitive stomachs. Unfortunately, many ingredients used in pet foods these days can inflame the digestive tract and cause stomach upsets. While not all pets are susceptible to digestive issues, some are more sensitive than others. Digestion issues can present with obvious signs such as diarrhea and vomiting but can also be a hidden problem and present as behavioural problems, such as lethargy or depression. Heart & Soul have kept out all the common inflammatory ingredients to ensure your pets diet will help support their digestion.

25/02/2024

We love hearing from our cute customers!

07/01/2024

Not all grains are the evil ingredient they are purported to be. Grains such as brown rice are a great source of magnesium and fibre, both of which help control blood sugars. However, to be a health benefit the carbohydrate levels in a premium food should be relatively low (between 30% to 45%), which makes them a good source of energy, along with many nutritional benefits.

The raging debate about grains and carbs in dog food continues, with more fuel being added to the proverbial fire when we try to classify dogs as carnivores or omnivores.

Unlike cats, who are obligate carnivores and require meat as their main source of nutrition, dogs thrive on a mixture of meat, vegetables, fruits, some nuts and grains.
Unfortunately, the trend for grain free foods has not been the answer due to increase in health conditions such as DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy).

31/12/2023

Our Lamb & Rice formula has been scientifically formulated to ensure your pet has the building blocks for health and wellbeing. This is achieved by using the correct levels of micronutrients and essential animo acids.

These nutrients, when correctly balanced, give your pets immune system the support it needs to help your pet thrive.

22/10/2023

Taurine is often an overlooked amino acid. While not essential in the diet, as dogs can synthesise this amino acid from methionine and cysteine, it is still vitally important to maintain a healthy heart. So what is it and what does it do?

Taurine is considered a non-essential amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and non-essential amino acids are not required to be delivered via the diet but rather the body can create their own in most instances. Taurine is generally created (in layman’s terms) in the presence of Vitamin B6, methionine is transformed into cysteine which is then formed into taurine. busy bodies to say the least!

Taurine is vital in supporting many bodily functions such as eye health by preventing retinal degeneration, it improves detoxification of the liver, helps strengthen the heart muscle (let's get back to this one), helps lower blood glucose and helps facilitate wound healing.

Back to the heart muscle. As mentioned, taurine is not considered an essential amino acid, however studies have shown that deficiencies in taurine have been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy. Taurine deficiencies can occur with certain breeds who are not able to synthesise taurine as efficiently, poor diet, aging dogs, Vitamin B deficiencies, hypothyroidism and zinc deficiencies.

Heart and Soul have gone the extra mile, by adding taurine to our formula, ensuring we help safeguard your fury, four-legged family members.

24/09/2023

Arginine is an essential amino acid for dogs, which is required in the diet and absorbed through the small intestine. Dogs cannot synthesise arginine from other amino acids, and it plays an important role in the breakdown of proteins.

Arginine plays a critical role in the detoxification of ammonia, resulting from the turnover and breakdown of proteins. It is an important intermediate in the urea cycle which converts ammonia to urea. It also stimulates the release of hormones, such as insulin, glucagon, and gastrin.

26/08/2023

Proudly Australian Made and Owned. Premium dry food, your pet will love.

22/07/2023

We love to hear positive feedback, so please keep the good vibes coming.

08/10/2022

There are over 20 amino acids required by our dogs to perform a range of important functions within their bodies. Without these amino acids, our pets health would be severely compromised and possibly life threatening.

Amino acids are formed when proteins are broken down during digestion. They are broken down into two categories, non essential and essential. Non essential amino acids are such that the body can synthesize one type from another, particularly when there is a surplus of one type.

However, essential amino acids (listed below) are critical and cannot be synthesized by the body. They must be delivered to the body through the diet.

It is also important to note that a deficit of one essential amino acid, does not mean the body can survive with others that may be in surplus. The deficit of one essential amino acid inhibits all protein synthesis, which then impacts the function of vital organs.

You can understand now why the balance of these essential amino acids is critical to your dog’s health, and cannot be supplemented without proper formulation.

The 10 essential amino acids required in a dogs diet are Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine.

24/09/2022

Have a close look at the ingredient panel of your dog’s food. Does it contain any of the ingredients listed below?

Here at Heart and Soul Pet food, we’ve left these problematic ingredients out of our food. Our food DOES NOT CONTAIN wheat, corn, soy, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, peas, legumes, beet pulp, canola oil, brewer’s yeast, colours, artificial flavours or preservatives.
Our Lamb & Rice formula is also free from chicken, beef and pork.

08/07/2022

A dog’s immune system is the driving force behind their overall health. The immune system works with a network of white blood cells, antibodies, and other substances including various organs in the body. This network seeks out potentially harmful pathogens, like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites and works to eliminate them before they do any further damage, in other words the immune system attempts to maintain proper physiological function.

However, a compromised or malfunctioning immune system may not have the ability to identify these dangers and may allow a number of diseases to spread, such as infection, diabetes, inflammatory issues to name a few. Keeping your dog’s immune system healthy will help reduce these risks, and contribute to overall health and well-being as agreed by many veterinary and nutritional experts.

A well balanced premium diet is a good start to keeping your pet’s immune system healthy. However, we also need to eliminate common yet problematic ingredients from the diet to ensure the immune system can function and remain strong.

For this reason, Heart and Soul Lamb & Rice formula is not only a high quality, premium food, it also DOES NOT CONTAIN wheat, corn, soy, flaxseed, peas, legumes, beet pulp, canola oil, brewer’s yeast, artificial colours or flavours.

19/06/2022

17/06/2022

When is too much protein enough? Proteins are the building blocks for a dog's body and essential for daily function. Dogs can have too much protein in their diet, which simply means the excess protein cannot be utilized at one time and it cannot be stored for later. When there is too much protein in the diet, the body must then work hard to excrete any excess through the kidneys and out of the body via urine. Therefore it is more important to have a high quality protein rather than a high quantity of protein. This ensures the body is not working overtime to excrete excess protein and can concentrate on using the best balance of protein for their daily requirements.

15/06/2022

My poor puppy was rescued from a hoarder. She had constant runny poos and always seemed sad and lethargic. I heard from a breeder friend that she has switched to Heart and Soul dry food, so I thought I’d give it a try too. I’m amazed at the change in my little puppy! It only took about 1 week to notice a dramatic difference in her coat and energy levels. Her poops have firmed up nicely and her overall demeanour has changed dramatically. She is so happy and healthy now and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you Heart and Soul ###.

13/06/2022

Is your current pet food part of a fad? Fad diets are often formulated using the latest craze in "superfoods" for humans.
They may look great on paper and the analysis might look complete and balance. However, they can cause more harm than is necessary for your pet's health. These issues can often be short term problems, but can also develop over a long period of time and cause irreversible damage to the health of your dog. If you are worried about your pet's current diet and want to learn more, please send us a message or email [email protected] and we will help you further.

24/05/2022

22/05/2022

With the rise of “super foods”, it is important to know if the benefits touted for humans can also transition to that of our pets. Sadly, not all “super foods” have the same long term health benefits for our pets. Spirulina is one of the few exceptions and an important part of our food.

Research suggests Spirulina has both antioxidant and inflammation-fighting properties and the ability to help regulate the immune system. Spirulina contains high levels of protein, low carbohydrates and low levels of fat. It also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamins A, B6, and K. It also contains a range of antioxidants, including phycocyanin, a blue-green pigment.

Spirulina contains the antioxidant beta carotene which the body then converts into vitamin A, which plays a key role in eye health. Spirulina has shown promise for treating and preventing gum disease and other oral health problems.

Many studies have shown that spirulina may preserve healthy gut bacteria during the aging process and may help manage blood sugar levels. Further studies have shown that spirulina can relieve nasal inflammation and reduce histamine in the body, therefore it may reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

We know not all "super foods" have the same benefits for all species, so we only use those that are species appropriate for our pets.

27/04/2022

The vitamin B-complex refers to essential water-soluble vitamins which include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine ( vitamin B6 ), biotin , folic acid and the cobalamins ( vitamin B12 ).

Each member of the B-complex has a unique structure and performs unique functions in the body. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and biotin participate in different aspects of energy production, vitamin B6 is essential for amino acid metabolism, and vitamin B12 and folic acid facilitate steps required for cell division.

We've got your pets health in mind, so we've included these important vitamins in our recipes.

24/04/2022

Pumpkin – is a nutrient-rich food that is low in calories and rich with essential vitamins and minerals. In addition to its high concentration of vitamin A (beta-carotene), pumpkin is a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, improves muscle health, and assists your dog’s metabolism.
Spirulina – is a blue-green algae, and is believed to be one of the oldest life forms on Earth. It is a potent source of nutrients, including vitamin B12. It also contains a powerful plant-based protein called phycocyanin. Research shows spirulina may have antioxidant, pain-relief, anti-inflammatory, and brain-protective properties. Preliminary evidence suggests spirulina is remarkably potent at protecting the brain and reducing liver fat.

17/04/2022

Magnesium is as an essential macro-mineral, which means the dogs cannot synthesise enough of this mineral from their food to sustain their needs. Magnesium must be included in the diet in sufficient amounts to avoid deficiencies. As with all minerals, dogs can suffer health issues when their diet is both deficient or contains excess measures of magnesium in the diet. Hypermagnesium (excess magnesium) is not common in dogs, but can be an issue for those suffering with chronic kidney failure. Hypomagnesium (magnesium deficiency) is more common and is often linked with calcium and phosphorous deficiencies. The signs of hypomagnesium are loss of appetite, decreased digestive function, lethargy, muscle twitches, confusion, seizures and abnormal heart rhythm. We take the guess work out of magnesium levels to ensure your dog remains healthy.

15/04/2022

Healthy Easter to you and your fur kids. Remember that chocolate is toxic for dogs, so treat them to something healthy.

04/04/2022

Poultry free pet food is hard to find these days. Look no further, we've created one of the few poultry free, ultra premium foods on the market.

02/04/2022

Micronutrients can't be ignored in a pets diets. They are small, but have a major impact on their health and wellbeing. Micronutrients are one of the major groups of nutrients your pet needs. They include vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins are necessary for energy production, immune function, blood clotting and other functions. Meanwhile, minerals play an important role in growth, bone health, fluid balance and several other processes.

19/03/2022

The omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Essential fatty acids have a structural role in cell membranes and are the precursor for enzymes which mediate inflammation in the body. EPA and DHA (omega-3) assist with reducing inflammatory response with decreased platelet aggregation and immunologic stimulation. However, not all omega-3's are the same as there are long chain and short chain omega-3's. The digestive system of dogs is better suited to metabolising and converting omega-3's from long chain fatty acids. Seafood is one of the best sources of long chain fatty acids for your dog. They can also be found in red meat and egg, but in smaller measures. Short chain fatty acids, which are not metabolised as well in a dog's system are found in plant sources like flax, chia, h**p, canola oil, and walnuts; so it is best to avoid these.

15/03/2022

Dogs need an appropriate protein to
help keep their bodies healthy. Protein supplies amino
acids for healthy skin, coat, muscles, tendons,
ligaments, and cartilage Lamb is a great protein
source which is easy to digest and is a low allergen
meat.

Lamb delivers essential amino acids and is a good
source of dietary fats, necessary for energy. The
vitamins and minerals found in lamb also supply
vitamins and minerals that support muscle development
and encourage optimum skin and coat health in dogs.

12/03/2022

The immune system is a pets natural defense system. It is a network of cells, tissues, and organs all working together to defend your body against antigens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and many more. A healthy immune system protects your pet by first creating a barrier that stops antigens from entering the body and then working with the body to help eliminate antigens.

10/03/2022

Never worry about spoiling their diet with a treat or reward. Our food is a great way to snacks between meals too!

07/03/2022

There are many problematic ingredients that impact the health of your pets skin and coat. Itchy skin is often a sign there is an allergy or a deficiency in the diet.

05/03/2022

Tastes greats too!

22/02/2022

Spirulina is a fantastic natural antioxidant which can protect against oxidative damage. This alga is a popular alternative treatment for symptoms of various allergies, and there is growing evidence of this. It is also high in protein, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin) and a good source of Copper and Iron.