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.
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.
When should a dog have a whelping box?
Nurturing a pregnant dog’s nesting instinct entails introducing her to the whelping box at least five days before her delivery date This allows time for her to become adjusted and comfortable before the puppies are born.
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Is the first litter of puppies the best?
Breeders, shelters, and rescue organizations work on a first-come-first-served basis. If your name is on top of the list, you will be allowed to visit the dog first and pick your favorite dog. Like all things in life, the best puppies of the litter go first.
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.
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.
What do I need to deliver puppies?
- 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.
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 I prepare for a newborn puppy?
Before you breed your dog, take her to the vet for a prenatal checkup She should be up-to-date on vaccinations. Your vet will probably recommend either a fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites or just have your dog de-wormed with an appropriate medication suited for your dog prior to mating.
How do I prepare my dog for whelping?
Provide a warm place to put the puppies as they are born, such as a basket with a hot water bottle or heating pad The puppies can later be transferred to the whelping box when the mother dog has completed giving birth. If the puppies get too hot they will “scream” and cry, and if too cold they will whimper.
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
.
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.
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.
How long does whelping last?
It usually lasts 12-24 hours , but although her uterus is starting to contract, this isn’t visible from the outside. Usually, she’ll be firmly ensconced in her nest, refusing food at this point; and as it progresses, there may be a watery vaginal discharge as her cervix opens.
How often should I check on newborn puppies?
Do I have to check the puppies? It is recommended, particularly with a first-time mother, to check the puppies every few hours to make sure they are all suckling and are warm and content.
Should newborn puppies sleep with Mom?
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.
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.
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 mom dogs clean up after their puppies?
Mother dogs will lick their puppies to urge them to eliminate, and clean up their poop by eating it, for about the first three weeks after birth.
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…).
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.
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 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 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.
References
https://breederbase.com/whelpingbox/whelpingboxes.htm
https://www.ebay.com/b/Dog-Whelping-Boxes/134793/bn_7715670
https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/whelping-box-dogs