Everyday Forages

Back to Basic’s (Everyday Staples)

Keep it simple, keep it sound. These are your daily leafy and woody staples — fibre-rich, gently aromatic, and ideal for topping hay or scatter-feeding to spark natural grazing.

  • Why this range: supports gut motility, dental wear, and calm, content foraging habits.

  • Best for: guinea pigs & rabbits as daily toppers; also suitable (in species-appropriate amounts) for chinchillas, degus, gerbils, hamsters, rats, mice, parakeets/small parrots, chickens, tortoises, green iguanas, and Giant African Snails. Avoid for insectivores like hedgehogs. 

  • How to use: sprinkle a loose handful over hay (rabbits/guinea pigs), or offer measured pinches/teaspoons for the smaller species to keep tummies happy without overdoing it.

  • Vibe: clean, honest ingredients — nothing added, nothing weird; just good plants doing what good plants do.

  • Rescue-rooted: your everyday buys help us keep giving back. 

Enrichment (Forage, Play, Repeat)

For when you want brains and bellies engaged. These mixes dial up variety, scent, and texture to turn mealtimes into mini adventures and reduce boredom nibbling.

  • Why this range: encourages natural behaviours, builds confidence, and supports positive social interactions — enrichment isn’t a luxury; it’s welfare. 

  • Best for: all our usual herbivore/herbivorous-leaning friends — with species-sensible portions as above, including Giant African Snails (great for leaf/flower bits; avoid anything salty/sweet).

  • How to use: scatter through hay, tuck into toys, or hand-feed for bonding. Rotate blends to keep noses curious and minds busy. 

  • Tone: fun, fragrant, focused on welfare — enrichment with purpose, not just prettiness.

Treats & Fruit (Joy, Judiciously)

A little thrill, done right. Botanical nibbles and fruit accents to tempt picky eaters, reward training moments, and add sparkle to special days — always balanced, always considered.

  • Why this range: palatability boosts (hand-feeding, meds days), variety, and positive associations — without losing sight of sugar and portion control.

  • Best for: rabbits & guinea pigs as occasional add-ins; tiny pinches for the small furries and birdies; selective use for tortoises/iguanas and Giant African Snails who enjoy soft fruit/leaf extras alongside their staple greens and calcium.

  • How to use: think accent, not base: a few pieces mixed through hay or offered by hand. (We stay aligned with our “guinea pig & rabbit friendly by default” policy — always supervise new foods.) 

  • Promise: no gimmicks, no junk — just thoughtfully chosen plant treats that still respect everyday health goals.

Soft Dry Forage (Fresh-Leaning, Tender & Aromatic)

Halfway between fresh and fully dried: bendable leaves and stalks with gorgeous aroma and higher nutrient retention. Ideal for tempting fussy eaters or supporting recovery and seniors who benefit from gentler texture.

  • Why this range: more enticing scent/feel, gentle on digestion, and made to order for peak freshness. 

  • Best for: rabbits & guinea pigs as a daily topper; species-appropriate amounts for chinchillas/degus, small furries, birds, tortoises, green iguanas, chickens — and yes, Giant African Snails appreciate the softer leaves too. 

  • How to use: offer like a leafy salad topper or scatter lightly to encourage slow, mindful foraging; store cool and airy to keep that soft-dry magic. 

  • Ethos: hand-selected, science-backed plants; crafted with the same care we bring to our rescue-rooted mission. 

  • Since adding the Back to Basic’s forage to our pigs’ hay, they actually eat more hay too! It smells fresh and keeps their tummies moving nicely.

    — Heather J · Guinea pig mum
    Back to Basic’s

  • Scatter feeding the Enrichment mixes has been a game changer. My rabbits don’t sit bored — they forage, dig, and play like they would in the wild.

    — Sam & Lou · Bonded buns
    Enrichment

  • These little treat mixes are a lifesaver for meds time. They come running for the fruity bits, and I know it’s still natural and sensible.

    — Priya R · First-time piggy owner
    Treats & Fruit

  • The soft-dried nettle tempted our elderly bunny when he’d gone off his food. Gorgeous aroma, gentle texture — exactly what he needed.

    — Ben H · Senior bun dad
    Soft Dry

  • I love that every purchase supports rescues. Healthy pets at home and help for animals in need — win-win.

    — Chloe M · Rescue volunteer
    Rescue

  • Simple ingredients, no nonsense. Our pigs’ coats look shinier and their poops are textbook — can’t argue with that.

    — Dan & Amy · Piggy parents
    Back to Basic’s

Quick “Feeding-at-a-Glance” 

  • Rabbits & Guinea Pigs: a loose handful daily as a topper; introduce new mixes gradually. guineagourmettreats.co.uk

  • Chinchillas & Degus: small handful every other day / weekly depending on mix richness. guineagourmettreats.co.uk

  • Gerbils, Hamsters, Rats, Mice: a pinch to 1–2 tsp weekly, hidden in bedding or toys. guineagourmettreats.co.uk

  • Parakeets/Small Parrots: crumble a pinch over seed weekly for variety. guineagourmettreats.co.uk

  • Chickens & Garden Birds: ~1 tsp per bird weekly for pecking enrichment. guineagourmettreats.co.uk

  • Tortoises & Green Iguanas: occasional leafy sprinkle alongside main greens and calcium. guineagourmettreats.co.uk

  • Giant African Snails: small servings of leafy botanicals/soft fruit as part of a calcium-rich, veg-led diet; remove leftovers daily.

Note: All GGT products are guinea pig– and rabbit-friendly by default unless the product page says otherwise. Always supervise new foods and introduce gradually. guineagourmettreats.co.uk