As the last week of pregnancy approaches, your
female dog
will often begin looking for a secure and
comfortable place
to have her litter of puppies. Before this time comes, it is essential to create a
whelping box
so she becomes comfortable with it and knows this is the preferred place to have her puppies.
Can I use a
kiddie pool
as a whelping box?
1. Gather your supplies. Choose a plastic kiddie pool that is round rather than scalloped like a sea shell A pool that is 3′ in diameter will work well for a mini sized dog.
What can you use instead of a whelping box?
To make a whelping box out of a kiddie pool, find a pool size where your dog can lay out comfortably with some extra room for the puppies. You can line it with a round whelping pad, old towels, newspaper or even covers made specifically for kiddie pools used for whelping.
Where do I put my puppies after whelping box?
From day 29 to 49 puppies will venture away from the whelp box sleeping area. They will not go far, but they will begin to explore. At this time we expand their area to add a play and eating area in the daytime. This is the time to move them out to the kitchen and family room area , where life is happening in the home.
How long after a dog gives birth can you touch the puppies?
Once the puppies are about three
weeks old
, they will begin to move around on their own. This is when you can begin to pet them and interact with them more. You should only touch or pick up a newborn puppy if you observe that it is sick, if the mother abandons it, or in the case of orphaned puppies.
Is Carpet good for whelping box?
This is a great way to secure your bedding, so Mom doesn’t roll the puppies in it. Please be careful if you use carpeting in your boxes, as most will string, unravel, or flake, and this poses significant health and safety threats to your animals.
What do I put on the floor of my 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.
Why is my dog trying to bury her puppies?
If she is not producing healthy milk she may bury her young expecting them not to survive This is why it is vital to visit your vet right after the delivery.
Should newborn puppies be kept in the dark?
This should be a place where they will be able to remain out of trouble but where you will also be able to check in on them often. A dark space or enclosed box are a good idea to provide as well, as this will comfort the mother and prevent her from taking her puppies to a place where she feels safer.
Can a whelping box be too big?
Many considerations go into setting up the ideal whelping box for your breed of dog. Importantly, the size should be appropriate, large enough for a dam to stretch out with some room to spare, as a box that is too large can cause her great distress.
How big should my whelping box be?
For medium-size dog breeds, considered a whelping box that is about 28 to 34 inches long by 28 to 34 inches deep Large dog breeds need whelping boxes that measure about 42 to 45 inches long by 34 to 40 inches deep. Extra-large breeds need boxes at least 48 to 58 inches long by 40 to 48 inches deep.
Why do whelping boxes need rails?
Most boxes will include a low railing (termed rails, pig rails, or roll-bars) fixed to the inside perimeter of the box. This is to protect puppies from being crushed or smothered by the mother should she roll over during birthing or while asleep This is considered especially important with larger dog breeds.
How do you keep a whelping box clean?
Take disinfectant in the spray bottle and start sterilizing the entire whelping box with the help of it Now that the whelping box is disinfected keep clean towels and rugs in the whelping box again for the puppies. Place the pups safely in the whelping box back again with their mother.
When can newborn puppies leave the whelping box?
Puppies can often leave the whelping box at 3 weeks old At this age, puppies can move out of the whelping box as they become more mobile. Puppies can stand up and even climb out of the whelping box nest.
Can you leave newborn puppies alone with their mom?
Is it okay to leave newborn puppies alone with their mom? Most responsible breeders do not leave newborn puppies alone with the dam There are many reasons why it’s best to supervise the dam and her litter at all times.
Do all dogs nest before giving birth?
Nesting behavior is when your pregnant dog begins to build a secure home or nest where it can safely give birth. Dogs won’t always nest before labor , especially if they’ve been given a safe space such as a nesting box.
What makes a good whelping box?
Choose sturdy materials such as wood or a laminated particleboard like melamine Melamine doesn’t absorb or trap odors too, so it is the best material to be used as a whelping box. Make the floors easy to clean by using linoleum, protecting the bottom of the nest and the floor of your home as well.
What is needed for newborn puppies?
Dogs normally gestate for 9 weeks, but having your supplies on hand avoids a panic if she whelps early. Pack a small bag with towels, a heating pad, bulb suction device, string, sharp scissors, iodine, thermometer, petroleum jelly, and surgical gloves.
Is a swimming pool a good whelping box?
I personally like to use a plastic baby pool to whelp our medium breed puppies because their easy to move around, clean and the plastic material moves with my Dams which seems to help because we’ve never had any issues with Mom laying on her puppies and smothering them.
How do I get my mother dog to stop crushing her puppies?
Not all have the instinct to nose the puppies to the center of the whelping box for safety. Smothering, crushing, and laying down on the puppies can be prevented by installing railings that help prevent the dog from accidentally lying on a puppy that may have slipped behind her.
How do puppies keep warm after giving birth?
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.
Should mom sleep with her puppies?
A newborn puppy is completely helpless and dependent upon its mother. The first week of a puppy’s life is mainly about sleeping and eating so it will grow. Puppies should remain with their mother and littermates until about age eight to 12 weeks.
Should I sleep next to the whelping box?
I personally sleep next to my dam and puppies for a few nights , to ensure she does not roll on a puppy, or a puppy does not get out of the bunch and get chilled, etc…. They are VERY susceptible to cold. The whelping box should be at 85°F for the first week and 80°-82°F the second. Make sure there are NO drafts.
What should a mother dog eat after giving birth?
- Feed a nutrient-dense diet such as puppy food.
- Without increasing the amount of food offered at a meal, increase the number of meals throughout the day.
- Free-choice feed her, offering unlimited access to dry food throughout the day.
Why does my dog Bring me her puppies?
It is the strongest sign of affection and trust they will “bestow” upon someone The normal reaction you would expect to see may be growling or snapping at you simply for reaching down to pick one of their babies up. Instead, you are greeted with a joyful litter of the cutest puppies on earth.
Is it OK to hold newborn puppies?
Holding newborn puppies You can hold newborn puppies as soon as they come out of the mother’s womb While it’s important that newborns spend ample time feeding from and bonding with their mother and other puppies in their litter, it won’t harm them if you gently hold them.
When can puppies be around their dad?
It’s generally advised to keep the male away from the mother and litter entirely, from the last weeks of pregnancy and until the pups are at least four weeks old when the mother is starting to wean them, and ideally for five to six weeks. By then the father can be a part of the socialization process.
Where do newborn puppies poop?
For the first 2 weeks of life, after feeding, the pups should be stimulated to urinate and defecate by rubbing the area between the back legs with a warm wet cotton ball.
Should a whelping box have a floor?
Floor – Whether you want or need a floor in your box will depend on the floor surface where you are whelping the litter I whelped my litters in my basement, and while these were clean, dry cement floors in newer homes, the floors were also cold to the touch depending on the season.
What do I do when my dog gives birth for the first time?
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. If your dog isn’t comfortable and relaxed after whelping, there is a risk that she may reject her puppies and refuse to feed them.
Does a father dog know his puppies?
Father dogs do not recognize their puppies It is possible for them to be affectionate and empathetic towards the puppies, but it isn’t due to paternal instincts. Father dogs have a wide range of reactions towards small pups.
Should I cover my newborn puppies with a blanket?
Puppies like to snuggle in blankets for comfort and security , much like human babies. Puppies that are sick need to be kept warm with blankets, so their body has a better chance to fight off infections.
Why do dogs put blankets on babies?
They simply recognize that your baby is valuable and deserves protection They’re trying to keep your baby from harm by covering it with blankets! Especially if your dog has a history of hiding your slippers or their favorite toy, you could expect this kind of behavior as well with your child.
Why does a dog nudge a baby?
Generally, dogs will want to sniff the baby and may nudge the baby with their nose or even lick the baby. For the most part, unless the baby was born with a particularly weak immune system or other health concern, these actions are perfectly fine and are a normal investigation process for your dog.
Citations
https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/whelping-box-dogs
https://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/can-used-whelping-box-6223.html