Running a handmade pet treat business sounds dreamy — and in many ways, it is. I get to forage, create beautiful blends for animals I adore, and send out boxes that make small pets (and their humans) ridiculously happy. But behind every box is real life — messy, noisy, unpredictable real life.
Family First (Even When It Feels Like a Balancing Act)
This morning was one of those days where I felt like I was walking on eggshells. My partner’s mood was off — restless but not sure what he wanted to do — and I could feel Taylor pick up on it instantly. She came into the room full of energy, and I watched him get fed up with her presence before she’d even said a word.
My instinct? Move. Distract. Smooth it over so she’d follow me out and we’d avoid a clash. That’s a habit I’ve carried for years — pre‑emptively managing moods to keep the peace for the kids. It works, but wow, is it exhausting.
It’s a weird balance — trying to shield them while also trying to run a business from home. One moment I’m defusing tension, the next I’m blending mulberry leaves and hornbeam twigs into a forage mix. The jump between “mum” and “maker” is constant.
Seasonal Foraging Reality (a.k.a. Nature Doesn’t Care About My To‑Do List)
One big job this week was packing four Seasonal Splendour Forage Boxes for Hannah, a new customer (love a new face!). But of course, Mother Nature had other plans.
My usual go‑tos? Cow parsley and plantain. Guess what’s missing right now? Cow parsley and plantain. 🙃 So instead, I leaned into what’s abundant: linden, bamboo, mulberry, carrot tops, hornbeam. It’s the beauty — and chaos — of seasonal foraging. Every box is slightly different because nature decides the menu, not me.
Tray Shortage Panic (But Make It Work)
Hannah ordered two trays. I had… one. Classic. Handmade business life means sometimes you run out of things mid‑order, and improvisation becomes second nature. I messaged her, explained I could bulk up with extra loose forage to even it out — and honestly, customers usually love the extra variety.
There’s something quite freeing about admitting “hey, stock’s low, here’s what I can do instead.” It’s real. And most people appreciate honesty more than a perfect aesthetic.
Toy Safety Chat (The Wooden Ball Question)
I also ended up writing a safety post about wooden balls after a customer asked if they’re safe to leave in cages once chewed apart.
The short answer: usually yes, but check for sharp bits and curved fibres. One person even shared how her piggy managed to wrap loose fibres round her body — she was fine, but it was a good reminder.
As natural as we make enrichment, our pets are domesticated now — they don’t always have the same instincts to free themselves if something tangles. A quick check or supervised play can make all the difference.
Behind the Scenes (Hay in My Socks and All)
Between school runs, family moods, and seasonal ingredient swaps, my house currently looks like a nature reserve exploded. There’s hay in my socks, trays drying on every surface, and me trying to juggle it all without losing my sanity.
It’s messy, it’s chaotic, it’s definitely not Pinterest‑perfect — but it’s real. And when I see customers’ pets tucking into something I’ve made by hand? It’s worth every single bit of chaos.
👉 Want to see what all this chaos creates?
Check out the forage boxes and toys at www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk — every order supports Guinea Garden Sanctuary and keeps me (happily) knee‑deep in hay.
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