Independent Yorkshire-based Burgess Pet Care is to have its Burgess Excel range stocked by Zooplus in Germany, a move that also gives it access to other European markets.

A total of 13 lines will be available, covering the Excel feeding plan that has been developed with vets and nutritionists to meet the specific life stage and lifestyle needs of rabbits and guinea pigs. 

A range of rabbit and guinea pig nuggets will be sold, including the groundbreaking Indoor Rabbit and Indoor Guinea pig nuggets, along with treats and hay. 

Mark Womersley, Managing Director at Burgess Pet Care, said: “We’re delighted to secure this listing, further opening up major international markets for us. To be able to share the expertise that we have developed in small animal nutrition over decades of research and development will help pet owners do the very best for their animals, and hopefully transform the way these pets are fed as we have done in the UK.” 

The range being carried by Zooplus caters for key life stages, with recipes for adult, mature, junior and dwarf species, as well as adapted lines for indoor rabbits and guinea pigs. Also included are two of the UK’s leading feeding hay products and grass-based baked treats. Burgess Excel is recommended by 92 per cent of British vets, a factor it is hoped will resonate in Germany, a country with one of the biggest small animal populations in Europe.

Burgess, which can be traced back to the 17th century as a milling business and now has almost 60 years of pet food production to its name, is behind Rabbit and Guinea Pig Awareness Weeks in the UK, as well as the inaugural Guinea Pig Welfare Forum, held in Birmingham recently. Research supported by Burgess showed that feeding muesli-style diets to rabbits can increase the risk of serious health conditions. As a result of this research Burgess is a muesli free company who believe that any species will selectively feed if given the opportunity.

While 85% to 90% of rabbits’ and guinea pigs’ diet should be quality feeding hay or fresh grass, Burgess Excel nuggets are specially formulated to provide the essential vitamins and minerals required, alongside specific functional ingredients depending on the animals’ needs.