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Congratulations – your dog is going to have puppies! One of the things you will need for the safe birthing and raising of the pups is a whelping box. You will want a sturdy box that is easy to clean and draft free. It is important to make sure that you provide the puppies with a place big enough to contain them yet comfortable enough to eat, play, and sleep in. The puppies might stay in the box for up to the first five weeks of their lives.
Dogs use a whelping box to raise a litter of puppies. The box simulates a cave, much like dogs used prior to domestication. The boxes, usually wooden, are designed to have three high sides, and one shorter side with a front door cut down enough to permit the dam to enter and exit, but still left high enough to keep the puppies inside. It is recommended to have a pig rail around the inside perimeter of the box. This rail is usually two or three inches wide and anywhere from 2-6 inches in height. The height of the rail depends on the size of the puppies at birth. A toy breed might use a rail 2 inches off the floor and a giant breed will need 6 inches. The pig rail is there to prevent the pups from being suffocated by the mother when she lies down. It allows a space for the pup to crawl into if the mom should lay on them.
The size of the whelping box really depends on the size of the dog giving birth. The mother should have enough space to lie down on her side and comfortably stretch out to nurse. A box that is too large may allow the pups to crawl away from the group and get cold. A box that is too small may cause the dam to lie down or step on a pup because there is not enough room to place her feet and to comfortably nurse. Different sizes of commercial whelping boxes are available and the manufactor will have suggestions on which size you might need.
The box itself may be constructed out of sturdy material, like wood or
melamine (melamine is a type of laminated particle board). You will want to
avoid using cardboard boxes because cardboard will absorb liquid and get
mushy. Puppies are sensitive to drafts so solid sides are very important.
Melamine will not absorb odors and is very easy to clean. The whelping box
in these photos is made of melamine. Unless you plan on covering the plywood
with contact paper or linoleum I would avoid plywood as a material because
it will absorb odors. If you are in a colder climate or whelping in the
winter you might consider putting feet on the box that will raise it off the
ground a couple inches. That will allow for warm air to flow underneath the
box keeping the litter warm and cozy.
You will want some kind of bedding in the box that can be replaced several
times a day. Many breeders use shredded newspaper, towels and sheets to line
their whelping boxes. The liners must be changed constantly so have plenty
of liner ready for the pups’ arrival. If you use a sheet or a blanket you
might consider using one large enough so the ends can hang over the side of
the box. You can clamp the ends down so that none of the puppies can
accidentally get caught under the sheet and away from the mother. Pine or
cedar shavings can also be used, but are less comfortable than fleece, and
create more waste.
The warmth of the puppies is very important. For the first few days they
cannot regulate their own body temperatures so they are very susceptible to
cold, chills and drafts. Do not make the mistake of keeping the whelping box
too hot. Some people use heat lamps or heating pads and others just keep the
heat in the room at a consistent 75 degrees for the first few days. If you
use a heat pad it should be on low and kept under blankets. Do not put the
puppies directly ontop of the pad. If you use a heat lamp keep it high above
the box so you don't dehydrate the puppies or accidentally burn the mother.
The dam needs to be in the box with the pups for long periods of time to
allow almost constant nursing. Overheating the box will make mom very
uncomfortable, and discourage her from spending the proper amount of time
with her pups. If mom is panting or seems dehydrated, decrease the heat
within the whelping box; the mother’s heat will provide enough warmth for
the pups.
Having a litter of puppies is a lot of work! A whelping box that is the
proper size, easy to clean, and safe will make caring for the newborn pups
much easier for you and your dog.
