Burgess Excel has recently come onto the Australian Market as an alternative to the currently established vet recommended brand of Oxbow. So what makes Burgess Excel different? Let's review some of the products and see why Burgess is the UK's number 1 Vet Recommended small animal food.
Who is Burgess?
To understand the product we need to first understand the company. Starting in 1790 Burgess is one of the world's oldest producers of premium pet food products originally focusing on flour mills they swiftly delved into establishing themselves as the largest producer of animal feed eventually evolving into high quality pet food.
They became one of the first companies in the world to establish a range of premium pet feeds that catered for small animals only, with a goal of providing high fibre pet feeds that were healthy for the pet and not just palatable. Together with veterinarians and veterinary consultants they have developed Burgess Excel and the five step guide to help owners understand the need for a high fibre diet. They not only develop products that are healthy but also ensure they go through a rigorous taste test before they are launched to consumers. Burgess also supports rescue centres and has open days to support local veterinarians and owners with free health and vet checks.
What make Burgess Excel Different?
One of the main innovative additions in the Burgess range is the variety. The nugget ranges not only cater for the standard nutritional needs of guinea pigs and rabbits but also includes additional ingredients that optimise the immune system and mobility of rabbits in the lifestyle ranges for example.
Many of their Timothy Hays are also designed for stress relief and anxiety which is not currently offered on the market.
Guinea pigs and rabbits are hind gut fermentors processing vegetation primarily in the form of hay. The majority of digestion takes place in the cecum and colon which is located at the end of the digestive tract. The cecum is located near the small and large intestine and plays a vital role in the digestive process. It contains 65% of GI ( gastrointestinal flora) which contains bacteria and protozoa which aid in breaking down food and is kept in balance with a diet high in Fibre.
The Burgess Excel range has been designed with a very high fibre content for this very reason. The fibre content matches or exceeds those of other brands in all their ranges and also has the correct Calcium to Phosphorus ratio in all their nugget varieties.
What about catering for young rabbits and guinea pigs?
For rabbits under 6 months of age Burgess recommends feeding the Junior and Dwarf rabbit nuggets which contains a prebiotic and a probiotic to develop healthy immune systems, natural antioxidants to boost the immune system, Higher nutrient levels tailored for a faster metabolic rate, higher protein levels for muscle development and contains essential amino acids for growing rabbits.
For guinea pigs under 6 months of age the Guinea Pigs with Blackcurrant and Oregano is considered a suitable staple. Whilst there is no specific young guinea pig nugget range this range does contain 820mg/kg of Vitamin C which is higher than Oxbow Young Guinea Pig Pellet range. In addition the fibre and protein levels are comparable. Blackcurrant aids additional flavour for fussy eaters whilst Oregano aids in stress relief and digestion. This nugget also contains a prebiotic for digestive health with a 36% beneficial fibre content.
The importance of prebiotics and probiotcs
One of the main differences we see in this range is the addition of a prebiotic and a probiotic in their nugget ranges. Burgess have included a prebiotic in all their nuggets and not just selective ranges to ensure that no matter what flavour or life stage range you choose your pet will always be benefiting from the addition of a prebiotic.
Prebiotic: A prebiotic is a specialized plant fibre that enhances and nourishes protozoa and gut flora in the caecum.
Probiotic: A probiotic introduces good bacteria to the caecum and increases the amount in the digestive system aiding in keeping your rabbit and guinea pigs gut in good health.
A healthy digestive system is vital to your guinea pig and rabbits well being and to prevent gastrointestinal ileius. It keeps the bacteria in the digestive tract healthy and in balance which also promotes the absorption of fibre and other essential nutrients.
The Burgess Excel Range
The Burgess Excel range consists of two main products. We have their pellets which they refer to as nuggets and their Timothy Hay ranges. They have also developed a number of flavour combinations and breed specific nugget ranges to help you provide some variety in your pets diet which is a plus. In Australia there are currently no flavour varieties on the market or breed specific varieties which cater for junior and dwarf rabbits other than Burgess Excel.
Timothy Hays
Their Timothy Hay comes with additional additives which have been developed for health in mind:
All their hay is 100% Timothy hay which has been barn dried and dust extracted to ensure that the hay does not contain any particles which can cause respiratory distress to small animals in addition to having a high fibre content which is essential for guinea pigs and rabbits.
Stress Relief Varieties
For pets prone to stress with additional immune and Urinary Tract assistance
|
Chamomile Herbage
|
Dandelion & Marigold Herbage |
 |
|
| Benefits |
Benefits |
- 100% natural ingredients
- High in Beneficial Fibre (63%)
- High in Crude Fibre (35%)
- Chamomile is known for its calming properties
- A source of good quality, long fibre
- Barn dried and dust extracted to prevent respiratory problems
|
- 100% natural ingredients
- High in Beneficial Fibre (63%)
- High in Crude Fibre (35%)
- Dandelion aids urinary tract health
- Marigold helps build a healthy immune system
- Barn dried and dust extracted to prevent respiratory problems
|
High Fibre Varieties
Promotes dental health with additional antiseptic qualities
| Long Stem Feeding Hay |
Excel Forage |
|
|
.jpg)
|
| Benefits |
Benefits |
- 100% natural ingredients
- High in Beneficial Fibre (63%)
- High in Crude Fibre (33%)
- Fresh Fragrance – Irresistible to small pets
- A source of good quality, long fibre
- Dust extracted to prevent respiratory problems
|
- 100% natural ingredients
- High in Beneficial Fibre (55%)
- High in Crude Fibre (28.5%)
- A source of good quality, long fibre
- Barn dried and dust extracted to prevent respiratory problems
|
Nuggets
The nugget ranges also have additional additives which are included to provide health benefits for your guinea pigs and rabbits:
Flavour Varieties
Designed for Palatability & Taste - For the Fussy eater
| Adult Rabbit Nuggets with Mint |
Adult Guinea Pig Nuggets with Mint |
 |
 |
| Benefits |
Benefits |
- Naturally high in Beneficial Fibre (39%)
- Prevents selective feeding
- Contains a natural prebiotic for digestive health
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy eyes, skin and coat
- With mint for extra tastiness
- Natural antioxidants to support the immune system
|
- Naturally high in Beneficial Fibre (36%)
- Prevents selective feeding
- High levels of protected vitamin C
- Contains a natural prebiotic for digestive health
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for health eyes, skin and coat
- Natural antioxidants to support the immune system
|
Oregano Varieties
Designed for Taste and Digestive/Stress relief - For pets prone to digestive issues
| Adult Rabbit Nuggets with Oregano |
Adult Guinea Pig Nuggets with Blackcurrant & Oregno |
 |
|
| Benefits |
Benefits |
- Naturally high in Beneficial Fibre (39%)
- Prevents selective feeding
- Contains a natural prebiotic for digestive health
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy eyes, skin and coat
- With oregano to aid digestion and alleviate stress
- Natural antioxidants to support the immune system
|
- Naturally high in Beneficial Fibre (36%)
- Prevents selective feeding
- High levels of protected vitamin C
- Contains a natural prebiotic for digestive health
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for health eyes, skin and coat
- Natural antioxidants to support the immune system
- Delicious blackcurrant for extra flavour
- Oregano to alleviate stress and aid digestion
|
Life stage Varieties
Designed for Young and Mature Rabbits - Boosts immunity and mobility
| Junior & Dwarf Nuggets |
Mature Rabbit Nuggets with Cranberry & Ginseng |
 |
 |
| Benefits |
Benefits |
- Naturally high in Beneficial Fibre (36%)
- Prevents selective feeding
- Contains prebiotics and a probiotic to develop young digestive systems
- Essential amino acids for growing rabbits
- Higher protein for muscle development
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy eyes, skin and coat
- Higher nutrient levels tailored to faster metabolisms
- Natural antioxidants to support the immune system
|
- Naturally high in Beneficial Fibre (38%)
- Prevents selective feeding
- With glucosamine for healthy joints
- Added ginseng for increased vitality
- Cranberry for urinary tract health
- Contains a natural prebiotic for digestive health
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy eyes, skin and coat
- Natural antioxidants to support the immune system
|
Metabolic Variety
Designed for Overweight Rabbits - Stabilizes and Controls weight
| Light Rabbit Nuggets |
Benefits |
 |
- Naturally high in Beneficial Fibre (38%)
- Prevents selective feeding
- Reduced calorie content
- Unique, all-natural weight control formula helps reduce and then stabilise your rabbit’s weight at the correct level
- Contains a natural prebiotic for digestive health
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy eyes, skin and coat
- Natural antioxidants to support the immune system
|
Overall Rating:
