Nest and Nurture: How to Pick the Right Whelping Box for Your Litter

Bringing a new litter of puppies into the world can be a wonderful and thrilling experience. But it requires planning and preparation. Providing the mother and her puppies with a cosy and secure environment where they can thrive is one of the most important parts of the procedure. And that’s where the whelping boxes come in.

It’s the area where a mother dog can give birth and care for her puppies in their first few weeks of life. It is specially designed to give the puppies a safe, cosy place to sleep, eat, and develop. It also aids in shielding them from potential environmental dangers.

How to Choose the Right Whelping Box for Your Litter

With that being said, nest and nurture your litter with ease by picking a stylish and durable whelping box for dogs but do make sure you focus on several important factors. This can make a big difference in how well the box works for you and your furry family.

Material Range

One of the few important factors to take into account when on the hunt for the ideal whelping box is the material. The majority of boxes available today are constructed from sturdy PVC plastic. These feature high walls all around the box to prevent puppies from climbing out, and they are simple to disassemble and clean for storage in between litters.

Additionally, they can include a puppy protection ledge around the inside of the box to keep the mother from smashing the puppies against the wall. Because they come in both large and small sizes, they are arguably the best option for whelping. However, keep in mind that the option that includes this is pricier than any other type.

Plywood or particle board are excellent material choices for dog whelping boxes as well. Usually, latex and glossy paint are applied to these materials to make cleaning easier and to stop the wood from absorbing urine or excrement. A safe wood box for sale should preferably include a puppy safety ledge inside as well, to prevent the mother from crushing the puppies.

Lining Options

The lining of the whelping box for sale also matters. While newspapers are a cheap substitute, the newsprint on them can stain puppies. They can also shred the papers, which makes clean-up more challenging. Versatile pet’s accessories such as blankets and towels can also be used, however doing so comes with some disadvantages. 

First, very young puppies may become tangled up or lost underneath while looking for their mother. Furthermore, their mother can easily crush them if they are hidden beneath.  But that’s not all, blankets and towels tend to bunch up in the corners of whelping boxes, which might impede pups from being able to get the best grip when they want to cuddle up close to their nipples.

Therefore, lambskin crate pads make the perfect lining. Synthetic lamb-like fur pads, come in a wide range of options, so you will have no difficulties finding the right model and size for your box. In terms of use, these are very practical. Firstly, they absorb liquids rapidly to keep pups from resting in dampness and are easy to clean in a washing machine. 

Second, the puppies can get good traction and additional warmth by snuggling in them as they approach their mother since they are thick. Thirdly, they remain in position most of the time, unlike blankets or towels, which clump up easily.

Sizing

The ideal size for a dog birthing box is equal to the length of your female dog plus, at most, one extra foot in one direction. Put another way, if your dog is 50 inches long from nose to tail, the box should measure around 62 inches in one direction. The box should be at least the length of the dog measured in the opposite direction, although it doesn’t have to be 62 inches long and a broad-a 50-inch dog from nose to tail, for instance, would require a 62″ x 50″ box.

On the other hand, small boxes can increase the likelihood that the mother will sit on or otherwise harm the puppies, while an excessively large box, may prevent the puppies from finding their mother.

Additional Factors

You should also pay close attention to the location where you choose to place the box. It should be located where it is convenient for you to keep an eye on the development of your dog and her puppies. In this regard, most breeders whelp their puppies indoors, ideally next to a couch or lounge chair. 

The basement, living room, bedroom, laundry room, or adjacent garage are also some of the options. Keep in mind though that the environment should be serene with little to no busy family activities, particularly if you have a large family, little children, or other dogs. Another important factor is the temperature of the room where the whelping will be taking place. 

Double-coated breeds, such as German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies, are more comfortable in basements or air-conditioned rooms, during summer months. If the room is too warm, these breeds won’t be able to give birth to puppies. Smaller breeds, such as Yorkies and Maltese, have difficulty staying warm in the winter and should give birth in a warmer environment, such as the living room or bedroom.