Line the bottom of the whelping box with plenty of newspaper. There will be a large amount of fluid at the time of whelping. If sufficient layers of newspaper and cloth are in place before whelping, you can remove soiled layers with minimum interruption to the mother and her newborn puppies.

What do I put inside a whelping box?

The best bedding materials for a whelping box are soft, warm, have good traction, and are easily cleaned and disinfected. They should be insect-free, moisture resistant, and not easily ingested by puppies. You should avoid hay, straw, shavings, or stiff particles that can cause eye and skin irritation.

What is the best thing to put in the bottom of a whelping box?

If you have built your own whelping box, you may have used wood or cardboard for the bottom. These materials are not easy to keep clean. As such, it is a good idea to line the bottom of your box with vinyl flooring. This can be purchased at any home improvement store, and is self-adhesive.

What is the best bedding for whelping dogs?

For bedding a dog whelping box, you can make use of wood, rubber-backed rugs, black stall mats and much more. There are lots of options of bedding for whelping. Choose the box that is safe and secure for your puppies and can be cleaned easily.

Should I have blankets in a whelping box?

Towels or blankets can be used, however, there are disadvantages to their use. First, very young puppies can get trapped or lost underneath when trying to find their mother. They also can easily be crushed by their mother if they are hiding underneath.

15 Things You Need Ready Before Whelping

Should whelping box be dark?

Place the box in a dark, quiet area of the house. This can be a basement, a closet, or a spare bedroom with the shades drawn. Allow the mother to freely come and go from her whelping area. Keep other dogs away from her whelping area so that she knows it is her place to deliver.

Should I sleep near the whelping box?

Interactions Between the Mother and Puppies

By the time the puppies are 2-3 weeks old, the mother should have an area near the whelping box, but separate from the puppies to allow her time to rest.

How do I keep my puppy warm in a whelping box?

Heating the area over the whelping box with the aid of a heat lamp is usually all that is necessary. The larger the litter the lower the environmental temperature needs to be, since the puppies will huddle together and keep each other warm.

Do newborn puppies need blankets?

Newborn puppies do not have the stamina to withstand cold weather. Having the blanket around provides them with protection against changing weather. Puppies are sensitive to cold weather so a blanket around keeps them warm. If the litter is unwell their blanket provides them another layer of protection.

What is the most critical time for newborn puppies?

“The neonatal period from birth to 3 days of age is a critical stage for puppies,” cautions Dr. Smith.

How often should you change the bedding in a whelping box?

The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and 2-3 times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the mother is not cleaning up after them. A large heavy paper may be laid on the bottom, several layers of newspaper over that, and a tightly stretched blanket over the newspaper.

Why does my dog keep squishing her puppies?

Some female dogs require a quiet, secluded place to whelp and raise their puppies. If your female is feeling stressed or threatened by too much noise or activity around her puppies she may begin harming the puppies as a way to protect them from any perceived outside threat.

What type of bedding is best for newborn puppies?

If you prefer the cheap and disposable bed, then newspaper and puppy pads will satisfy your desire. In this type of bedding, your puppies will not get twisted. You can use towels, sheets, and blankets for bedding your puppies when they start moving here and there.

Are pig rails necessary in a whelping box?

Puppy Rails – Install a pig rail around the inside edge of the whelping box approximately 5 inches off the floor to keep the dam from pinning a puppy between her body and the wall causing suffocation.

How do I keep my puppy warm after birth?

Provide the mother dog and the puppies with a suitable "nest" or whelping box. This is a safe, warm, and somewhat confined area that is free from drafts and distractions. You may want to supply the whelping box with an additional heat source.

How cold is too cold for newborn puppies?

During the first four days of a puppy's life, the orphaned dog should be maintained in an environmental temperature of 85° to 90F (29.4° to 32.2°C). The temperature may gradually be decreased to 80°F (26.7°C) by the seventh to tenth day and to 72°F (22.2°C) by the end of the fourth week.

Can a whelping box be too hot?

The whelping box should have a consistent temperature around 85 degrees, as puppies are not able to generate their own body heat until they are 2 ½ weeks of age. “Excessively high temperatures and high humidity can cause respiratory difficulties and dehydration in puppies.

Will mum keep puppies warm?

Newborn puppies can't regulate their body temperature very well. They'll receive warmth from their mum, but she may not to spend all of her time in the whelping box, especially if she's very bonded to her family.

How long should my dog stay in the whelping box?

As soon as the puppies' eyes open, they rapidly mature physically. By two weeks, they should be alert and trying to stand. They should be trying to climb out of their nest or whelping box by three weeks.

Can I leave my dog alone with her newborn puppies?

I would not leave mom and pups during the first week for more than 3 to 4 hours. As the pups grow they can be left with their momma for the same time you would leave any dog: no more that 6 hours without someone to check in and walk your dog.

Should mom dog sleep with puppies at night?

Yes. At least until the puppies are mobile and moving around independently. Most, if not all good breeders will be sleeping in the same room as where mum whelped and is nursing her puppies in case there's an emergency during the night (like mum overlaying her puppies, needing out and so on).

Can my dog use her crate as whelping box?

Many owners ask if they can use a dog crate as a whelping box - the answer is yes, if your dog is already crate trained. This way, they may find security in using this as their whelping box too. Make sure your box or crate is in a quiet space, that's warm and large enough for movement and lots of little puppies!

How often do you clean a puppy whelping box?

Sanitation and Housebreaking

The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and 2-3 times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the mother is not cleaning up after them.

What to do after my dog gives birth?

Once your dog has given birth to all her puppies, she is likely to be very hungry and tired. She will need to eat, rest with her pups, bond with them and feed them – make sure they are in a quiet, comfortable space where they won't be disturbed.

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