cardboard whelping boxes
have been a favourite product of hygiene conscious breeders for years Avoiding cross contamination between litters and providing a safe environment for your new additions, it is the perfect solution for novices and breeders alike.
How do you make a whelping box out of cardboard?
- Find a box that your dog can comfortably lie down and stretch out in but not much larger than that.
-
The sides should be at least 12 to 18
inches high
- Cut a “door” into the side of the box for your dog to move in and out of the box.
Is whelping box necessary?
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.
What kind of wood do you use to make a whelping box?
To build a whelping box, start by getting a 4- by 8-foot sheet of plywood and cutting it into panels so you have a bottom panel and 3 side panels. Then, attach the side panels to the bottom panel using screws so the walls make a “u” shape. Next, attach a plywood strip across the open side of the box to make a doorway.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
What is the best thing to use in a 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 size should a whelping box be?
An ideal whelping box should be the length of your female dog plus an extra foot (at least) in one direction That is if your female is 50 inches in length from nose to rear, then the box should be around 62 inches in one direction (for example, width of the box).
How long do you use a 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.
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.
What do I need for dog whelping?
- Whelping Box. A whelping box is necessary for all puppy deliveries
- A Laundry Basket Lined with a Heating Pad and a Blanket
- A Stack of Clean Towels
- Emergency Supplies
- Remove the Membrane
- Rub the Puppy with a Towel
- Discard the Afterbirth
- Cut the Umbilical Cord.
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.
How do you keep a puppy warm in a whelping box?
You may want to supply the whelping box with an additional heat source This will supplement the mother dog’s body heat and help keep the area warm if she must step away from the box for a short time. Heat lamps can work for this purpose or choose a heating pad with an adjustable thermostat that’s safe for pets.
Do Father dogs know their 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
.
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.
Is whelping box too small?
If you have a small dog, consider a whelping box that is about 21 to 34 inches long and about 21 to 34 inches deep For medium-size dog breeds, considered a whelping box that is about 28 to 34 inches long by 28 to 34 inches deep.
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.
Should mom stay in whelping box?
Take your cues from the mother though – if she seems anxious away from her puppies, leave her with them. Whelping box if pups are under 4 weeks of age An upside down ½ of a crate will work, a large box with a small walkway cut out, a baby pool or baby gating an area off so the puppies stay close to the mother.
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.
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.
How do you keep a litter of puppies clean?
- Cleaning Towel, Newspaper, or Blanket Bedding. Take the puppies out of their bedding and put them in a basket or pen lined with old towels
- Cleaning Wood Shaving or Shredded Paper Bedding
- Weekly Cleaning.
How do you whelp a puppy at home?
Make sure you have plenty of clean newspapers and sheets or towels. 2. Select the place where you would like her to have her puppies and put a suitable whelping box in that location The whelping box should be large enough for her to move around freely, with low sides so that she can see out and easily move in and out.
What temperature should I keep my whelping box?
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.
When puppies are born What do I do?
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.
When can I remove pig rails for whelping box?
Rails, also referred to as pig rails, are used to protect the puppies should mom roll over and accidentally smother her babies. When puppies are of sufficient size and strength , rails can be removed to increase internal whelping box space.
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.
What to feed dog that just had puppies?
Many breeders encourage food intake by offering highly palatable products, such as ice cream, homemade mixtures (for example, mix one can of evaporated milk, one can of water, three egg yolks and one-quarter cup of Karo syrup; heat, then let cool), puppy-milk replacers or a growth-and-lactation commercial cat food.
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.
Citations
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/g39901442/whelping-box/