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.
What can I use as a whelping box?
Plywood or particle board can be used, however, to help keep cleaning easy, it should be painted with a latex, glossy paint so urine or fecal material isn’t absorbed by the wood. Ideally all whelping boxes should have a puppy protective ledge around the inside to prevent crushing of the puppies by the mother.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you put blankets in a whelping box?
You can use towels, sheets, and blankets for bedding your puppies when they start moving here and there Make sure that the
bedding material
should possess body-heat retention level. The bedding should be such that it can absorb body fluids and urine properly. It is essential to keep the bedding dry.
Do pregnant dogs sleep a lot before giving birth?
First Stage of Labor The whelping mother will then go through occasional minor contractions for several hours, before active labor with intense contractions take place. You will notice your dog panting rapidly, moving restlessly, whining and sleeping deeply during the first stage of labor.
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.
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 long do puppies stay in whelping pen?
As soon as the puppies’ eyes open, they rapidly begin to mature physically. By two weeks of age, they should be alert and trying to stand. By three weeks , they should be trying to climb out of their nest or whelping box. By four weeks, all the puppies should be able to walk, run, and play.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 often should I clean my whelping box?
When the pups are first born, they will not produce a lot of waste, and what they do produce will be cleaned by the mother. At this point, you only need to clean the whelping box once per day This helps to keep the space free of bacteria and keep your pups healthy. Clean it twice a day for the next 2-3 weeks.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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…).
Can you put carpet in a whelping box?
You can add an exercise pen or use pet gates or suitable barricades to contain the curious babies. The floor of the whelping box should be solid and waterproof. If the box is not waterproof, find a bottom liner that is rubber, like a floor mat or carpet runner.
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.
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.
What is the best bedding for a dog to have puppies?
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.
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.
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.
How do I know my dog is about to give birth?
- Nesting
- Her Body Temperature Drops Below 100 Degrees
- She May Want You Around More
- She May Want You Around Less
- Vomiting
- Hardened Abdomen
- Incessant Licking of the Genital Area
- Enlargement of Mammary Glands.
How do dogs act when labor is near?
But as you get closer and closer to delivery, your body will go through some 11th-hour changes that your dog might notice. And as a result, they may become extra protective and clingy , following you around the home to make sure you’re OK.
What time of day do dogs usually give birth?
Even if you know the due date, there’s no way to know what time of day she’ll deliver Rain or shine, day or night, puppies come when they’re ready.
How long do dogs stay in 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.
How do you introduce a whelping box?
Lead your dog to the whelping box often If she doesn’t take to it immediately, then take her to the box multiple times each day. Show her the box and help try to get her in the box. If your dog is small enough, you can physically place her in the box so she starts to smell her scent on it.
Where should I keep my dog and her puppies?
Choose a corner in a room away from the activity of the house for whelping , and prepare the area a week in advance of her due date. Otherwise, she will choose one herself and you may find her having puppies among the shoes in your closet. Many mother dogs want to be near their owners just before giving birth.
Citations
https://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Cheap_Whelping_Boxes
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/20-comfy-and-classy-whelping-box-ideas-8–458733912041239265/
Preparing For Your Litter Whelping Box – Hints and Considerations