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.
How big should your 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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 have 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.
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.
How often should you clean a whelping box?
She will keep the whelping box very clean for the first couple weeks (up to three weeks). It is wise to weigh the pups twice daily for the first week, and once a day after that.
Should I give my dog a break from her puppies?
Once the pups are old enough, at a about 2 to 3 weeks, you can provide a
separate area
for the mother. It should be very close to the whelping box with easy access. However, having a separate bed will give her a break. Let her take breaks after the first month.
How deep does a whelping box need to 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.
When can puppies be moved outside?
Nevertheless, the time will come to transition your puppy from house to yard, and the timing of that is just as important. The time when your puppy can sleep outside is not set in stone, but sometime in the four to six month range you can begin the transition.
How do you introduce a dog to 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
When should I move my dog to a whelping box?
Breeders should introduce a dam to the whelping box at least five days before her delivery date to become comfortable and adjusted before the puppies are born. The whelping box should be one and a half to two times the length of the dam, so she can stretch out in full length with room to spare.
Can whelping box be outside?
If the dog must have her puppies outside, you should provide an adequate whelping box Put an outdoor whelping box in an area protected from the elements, predators, pets and children. Assemble the box for your outdoor dog two weeks before your dog’s due date.
How tall should the sides of a whelping box be?
For the largest breeds, such as Great Dane and Great Pyrenees, you will need a whelping box that is about 5 feet X 5 feet with sides that are around 18 inches high. For medium breeds, whelping boxes are typically 4 feet X 4 feet with sides approximately one foot high.
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 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.
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.ebay.com/itm/381476105531
https://www.ebay.com/b/Dog-Whelping-Boxes/134793/bn_7715670
https://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/can-used-whelping-box-6223.html
https://www.ebay.com/str/whelpingboxstore