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.
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.
Are whelping boxes 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 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 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.
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.
Can I use a playpen for a whelping box?
Our Plastic Whelping Box with a Puppy Playpen is a versatile product which has been designed alongside some of the UK’s top dog breeders enabling dogs to have a safe and comfortable environment during and after birth. The added Puppy Playpen lets the new puppies a safe place to integrate and grow and play.
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.
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.
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.
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 you put blankets in a whelping box?
Many breeders use shredded newspaper to line whelping boxes, but others prefer towels and blankets, wood shavings, or even sand You should consider all options and select materials that match needs at specific times during your puppy-rearing experience.
Where is the best place to put a whelping box?
Tips for setting up a safe place for your dam: Put the whelping box in a room that is isolated from other dogs Many breeders set it up in their own bedrooms for the first three weeks. A door and/or gate should be used to keep other dogs away. An ex-pen around the whelping box provides an extra layer of safety.
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.
How big should a dog 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 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 do I need for my dog to give birth?
- Warm and comfortable.
- In a quiet, secluded room that’s kept at around 22°C.
- Lined with a clean, washable, absorbent bedding (towels are perfect).
- Big enough for your dog to stretch out and turn around in.
- High enough to stop newborn puppies escaping, but low enough for your dog to step over.
Can I keep a puppy from my dogs litter?
Wait until the puppy is at least six weeks old Puppies need to be at least eight weeks old before they leave the litter. While you should be searching for potential homes once the puppies are born, you shouldn’t try to sell or give away puppies in your litter until they are at least eight weeks old.
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.
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 long do puppies stay in the whelping box?
Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life Newborn puppies sleep most of the day away.
Do I need a heat lamp for puppies?
Newborn puppies need a heat lamp up until they are about 7 weeks old They are unable to maintain their own body temperature in the first two weeks after birth. They reach their adult body temperature by their fourth week.
What is the best bedding for a dog having puppies?
Best bedding for a whelping box Washable, dark-colored bedding that is soft and padded or disposable liners are the best budget bedding for a dog giving birth. Vet bedding, while more expensive, is thick, washable, soft, and reusable, so it’s a good choice to consider if there will be more puppies born in the future.
Can I put a dog bed in a whelping box?
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.
How often should you change bedding in whelping box?
At 2.5 weeks, open the whelping box and add an area two times the size and cover with newspaper…. Change the bedding in the box several times per day , but do not change the paper often (keep it smelling like a toilet and keep the bed smelling like a fresh bed…).
What temperature should I keep my whelping box?
When the puppies are born, begin by heating the whelping box to about 85°F to 90°F You can slowly lower the temperature to approximately 80°F by the next week, and then to room temperature once the pups are a month old. They’ll be better able to regulate their body heat by then.
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.
How long should a newborn puppy nurse?
Puppies: Puppies should nurse vigorously and compete for nipples. Newborns can nurse up to 45 minutes at a time Be sure to watch puppies nursing at least once a day, if the mother will permit it. Check that everyone is nursing and that there isn’t too much jockeying for position.
Can my dog give birth in her crate?
A child’s plastic swimming pool or the bottom half of a large, plastic dog crate can also serve as a whelping box Choose a box according to the size of your mother and the litter expected. The box should be large enough for your mother dog to lie on her side with 1 to 2 feet of space around her for the pups to nurse.
Should mother dogs sleep with 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.
How do you know if newborn puppies are cold?
Puppies typically lay side by side or on top of each other to share warmth. If the puppies are scattered throughout the whelping box and away from the heat lamp, the temperature is too warm. If they are all piled on top of each other , it may be too cold.
How do you keep newborn puppies warm at night?
Use a hot water bottle filled with warm water or a heating pad set to low to warm the puppy Put a towel or blanket in between the heat source and the puppy to make sure the heating is gentle enough. You need to make sure that the heat source is not too hot for the puppy.
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 do dogs nudge babies with their nose?
Dogs that are bred to herd animals often use nudging to tell those animals where to go When dogs with this instinct are put in a domestic situation, they will sometimes “herd” people (usually children) with some nose-nudging.