Burgess Pet Care, is delighted to announce the expansion of its Excel range for small animals, with several new products launched for the winter months, including the world’s first indoor feeding nuggets for guinea pigs.
In addition to Excel Indoor Guinea Pig Nuggets, Burgess has also launched its largest feeding hay packs to date, with 4.5kg boxes available in both Excel Timothy Hay and Excel Meadow Hay, which are high in fibre and dust extracted, and suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. Also new to the Excel range are high fibre treats that encourage natural foraging behaviour, comprising Limited Edition Winter Berry Bakes, Luscious Leaves, Wildflower Forage and Forage & Feast Hay Bars.
Holly Ackroyd, Senior Brand Manager for Burgess Excel, said: “We’re excited to add several new products to the Burgess Excel range, and to have developed a product that meets the specific dietary needs of indoor guinea pigs. Excel Indoor Guinea Pig Nuggets provide all of the nutrients from guinea pigs’ diets that they would find grazing in the wild, whilst recognising that they really don’t like the cold and need to come inside during the winter. These gorgeous creatures can suffer from stress without outwardly showing it, and so we have created a calm formula with added L-tryptophan, a serotonin precursor, which has a role in the regulation of stress.”
Dr Suzanne Moyes, Veterinary Director at Burgess Pet Care, advised: “During the colder months, small furries who remain outdoors, such as rabbits, will need more food in order to maintain their body temperature and condition, so remember to allow for this when allocating their daily food intake.
“Having fresh and tasty feeding hay every day is an absolute essential for fibrevores like bunnies and guinea pigs. Around 85-90% of their diet should be high quality feeding hay and grass – the equivalent to their own body size in hay every day! Feeding hay is an excellent source of fibre, helps to maintain a healthy gut, reduces the risk of your pets gaining excess weight and serves to grind down their continuously growing teeth, helping prevent dental disease.”
Dr Nadene Stapleton, who was recently named Vet of the Year in the Burgess Excel Vet Awards 2021, added: “My top tips for winter include preparing earlier than you might anticipate given the unpredictability of the British weather! Nothing keeps my rabbits warmer than having each other, so think about whether you need to bring your pet indoors if they don’t have a companion.
“When it’s cold outside, there’s a tendency not to check on pets as frequently, but it’s vital that you do. You should keep an eye on the temperature; I use a cheap maximum/minimum digital thermometer for my rabbits, which gives the temperature extremes within 24 hours. It’s also important to ensure that drinking water hasn’t frozen, and that pets remain safe against predators.”
For further help and advice on keeping small animals safe and warm this winter, please visit Burgess Pet Care’s blog.
For more information on the Burgess Excel range for small animals, please visit www.burgesspetcare.com
