Autumn well and truly feels like it is here. The weather has gotten colder, and I may have already popped on an extra blanket at night. I know, I know, but I really feel the cold, and there is nothing worse than waking up and finding your room chilly. It does not work for me, and it certainly does not work for my sweet little piggies. They cannot regulate their body temperatures, so it is up to me to keep the room at a nice level. Otherwise, you end up with some very fluffed-up little people, picture finger in plug socket vibes.
With that being said, I am happily starting to decorate my room and guinea pig cage for the season. So, let us start with the piggies. Now, you would not think there is a lot to do when it comes to their cage, but believe me, there is. On the whole, it does not change an awful lot. They have a cosy, comfy liner, which I swap out for autumnal colours. The current one has little woodland mushrooms, on it. This can, of course, be used all year round, but it looks especially good with some of their decorations.
I tend to swap out their fleece tunnels, or rather flattened ones, as they seem to prefer to sit on them instead of in them, for cosy little beds. You can use cuddle cups, Riley’s favourite, or if it gets cold, I buy them fluffy kitten beds with a head cover. Either way, if it is soft and cosy, a piggie is guaranteed to be there. I have lost many a blanket this way.
Then I decorate with a mixture of human decorations or things I have made, along with guinea pig toys and accessories. I always make sure that the human decorations are high up enough so they cannot nibble or chew them. You definitely do not want them eating any fairy lights or paint. I reuse toys and decorations from previous years depending on how much they have been played with or chewed. Anything that hangs and looks like it is made of shredded material probably will not last, but it is lovely to see them reaching and interacting with it. Not only does it look cute and pretty, it also adds enrichment and helps with boredom. Believe it or not, these little munchkins get bored quite easily, which quickly becomes my problem when they chase each other at night. Guinea pigs do not tend to sleep for long periods; they sort of cat nap, so it is best to keep them interested when they are awake.
I also love knitting little blankets for them to put in the cage and add extra cosiness. If it gets too hot in the cuddle cups, they often lie on these mats to cool down. Like anyone, if it is soft, they like it, and it keeps their little bellies warm. I have even made them little bunting in the past to help with the decorations.
I also give them a little bit of pumpkin as a treat. It is a fun way to involve them in the festive activities, but like many fruits, it is best given in moderation. We do not want any upset tummies from the richness of the fruit. If you put it in their cage, just keep an eye on it. Mine are very good at finishing everything in their bowls, but nothing is worse than old, smelly fruit, and their tummies do not thank you for it.
Now, I know what you are going to say, Catherine, they are guinea pigs, they will not care. But I love their reactions every time their cage changes or when they get new toys and surroundings to explore. They become excited and intrigued. You are probably wondering how I know this, and it is actually really sweet. Guinea pigs do a special little movement called popcorning. They literally bounce with excitement and look just like corn when it pops, hence the name.
It is lovely to decorate, and their cage is definitely a big part of it. I also enjoy putting on new autumnal bedding for myself. This year I updated to a reversible set from The Range, which is perfect for adding a little autumn touch without breaking the bank. I pop a pumpkin or two around the room, along with my large soft one that I recently bought from Next. It is so soft and lovely, it has become my emotional support pumpkin. And of course, I add a soft warm blanket for myself to blend in.
It is not a lot, as it is only my room, but it is lovely to wake up in or snuggle into an ambient space. I sometimes switch on my little lamp and fairy lights when I write, much like I am doing now.
Autumn is also a great time to go through the wardrobe and sort out what I have and what I want to clear out. It is easy to see all the new jumpers and dresses in the shops and forget what you already own. My goal this year, before buying any new jumpers, is to go through all of mine first. I seem to have collected quite a few over the years.
Do you like to decorate for autumn? What helps you prepare for the colder months? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Sincerely,
Catherine
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