A Puppy whelping kit if you are breeding a litter this year is very important. Whether it is your first or you are a breeder, you will want to be prepared for the birth of the pups. Investing in a range of products and accessories that you may need to rely upon around the time of whelping can save time and panic when the time comes for your bitch to give birth. Whether you are dog lover, kennel owner, breeder or work in a veterinary practice – having the right supplies is essential for a smooth arrival of the puppies or kittens.
A professional Whelping kit from Petnap can help save time and will ensure you have to hand every item you could need in the event that something does not go to plan. By purchasing a pre-made kit you can save hours of searching and save money at the same time! The whelping kit contains a wide range of products such as disposables (gloves, swabs, sterile cotton buds) , essential tools (scissors, thermometer, stethoscope) and of course feeding items.
Occasionally the unexpected can occur during the birth process, the bitch may require a c-section and be unable to produce sufficient milk, the litter may be exceptionally large or the bitch may not take to feeding. To ensure your pups receive instant milk in these circumstances the whelping kit contains a specially formulated milk replacement and feeding apparatus. Keeping a whelping kit at home when you are expecting a litter can help avoid emergency situations.
To order professional whelping kits please visit www.petnap.co.uk
Are you a first-time owner of a pregnant dog? Are you excited yet anxious about caring for your first litter of puppies? Out of all the arrangements you will need to make for the newborns, a whelping box is among the most important.
A whelping box is a specially designed box where the puppies, along with their mother, can rest, play, and grow during the first few weeks of their lives. These boxes are high enough to prevent the puppies from accidentally jumping out and putting themselves at risk, but are also low enough to allow the mother to comfortably get in and out of the box without accidentally hurting one of her kids.
But how long must the puppies stay in their whelping box? Well, a puppy can safely leave the box once they are about three weeks old. By this time, they have become sufficiently developed – both physically and mentally – to be able to move about freely without any danger. Also, growing puppies are extremely curious, and being free from the restrictions of the whelping box allows them to explore their surroundings to their hearts’ content.
Whelping is the process of a female dog birthing her kids. As such, during labor, a whelping box provides a safe, private space for the mother to comfortably give birth. And, once the puppies are out in the world, this box keeps them safe, warm, and comfortable during the initial phase of their lives.
As mentioned, the box is high enough to keep puppies safely inside, yet low enough to allow easy entry and exit for the mother. Sometimes, the floor of a whelping box is covered with fabric, newspaper layers, or specially-designed ‘whelping pads’ to absorb fluids and provide insulation. Partial covers or fabric covers are often employed to give the box a ‘den-like’ appearance and feel.
Most whelping boxes come with low railings (also known as ‘rails’, ‘pig rails’ or ‘roll-bars’), attached to the interior perimeter of the box. These railings are used to protect the puppies from being smothered by their mother should she roll over while asleep or during birthing.
Puppies mature and develop very quickly during the first few weeks of their lives. Hence, by the time they are three (or even two) weeks old, they are already capable of standing up or even pulling themselves over the sides of the whelping box. However, until the puppies reach this stage, it is vital they stay within the confines of the box. This ensures that the puppies do not crawl off somewhere and end up hurting themselves or getting lost. At the same time, if the mother needs some time out, she can step out of the box with the knowledge that all their kids are safe and together.
Alongside safety, a whelping box also ensures comfort and warmth for the newborns. This is particularly important since young puppies are unable to regulate their body temperatures by themselves, and therefore require outside assistance in staying warm. Keeping all the puppies in a single place and using an external heat source like a heating pad can help your litter stay warm, especially during the winter months.
However, once your puppies cross the three-week mark or are able to walk, you can expect a mass exodus out of the whelping box. At this point, you can disassemble and store the whelping box away until the mother gets pregnant again.
It is important to get a whelping box that ticks the following boxes:
Side height: the sides should be high enough to keep the puppies safely in the box during the first three weeks of their lives. At the same time, the sides should not be impossibly high for the mother to get in and out of the box without hurting herself or her babies.
Space: The box should be spacious enough for the mother to move about comfortably while feeding her kids or lying with them. It should also be large enough for the puppies to play around. While you are unlikely to be able to know the exact litter size beforehand, you can make an estimate based on the mother’s breed.
The bottom: As mentioned, several whelping boxes often come with special whelping pads. However, if you are unable to find such a box, you can simply line the floor of the box with newspaper layers and/or a soft blanket. Some breeders even use wood shavings for this purpose.
Extension: At times, whelping boxes contain extensions that are helpful for more active puppies that are still not old enough to safely leave the box. The extension can be attached to the box to expand the overall area.
For around the first four weeks, most puppies only drink their mothers’ milk. Beyond this stage, the puppies gradually begin to move towards water. By the seventh or eighth week, have completely weaned off of maternal milk.
Hence, until the puppies are three to four weeks old, you can keep a water bowl inside the box for the mother. Feeding her kids would make the mother extra thirsty and increase her water requirements.
Sometimes, during the first few weeks post-labor, the mother is unwilling to leave the box except for to go to the toilet. If that is the case, you can also put her food inside the box.
However, once the puppies start growing and become mobile, you can place both the water and food outside the whelping box.
To sum up, a whelping box is essential for offering the mother privacy and ease during labour. Keeping the puppies warm, safe, and comfortable during their first few and most vulnerable weeks in this world.
However, once your puppies are around three weeks old, they are large, smart, and strong enough to safely move out of the whelping box.
To check out our full range of disposable and reusable whelping boxes, whelping kits, and whelping set builders, please feel free to visit Petnap.
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