Improve Puppies' Safety and Comfort by Keeping Them Warm in Whelping Boxes

Expecting new puppies is a great joy, and only those who have experienced this know the feeling. But if you are new to this, you don’t only know what to expect, but you probably aren’t sure what the things you should stock up on are. And while you won’t need any food in the beginning because they’ll be like newborns, feeding from their mother, you’ll need some other products like whelping boxes.

What Is a Puppy Whelping Box?

Well, this box is specially designed for a pregnant dog to give birth to puppies and care for them during the early days/months. Just like any other type of box, this one also comes in a selection of sizes, shapes, materials and designs, giving you the freedom to choose the one that will best meet your dog's needs. Keep in mind that it’s completely normal for them to have low sides so that the mother can go in and out of the box with ease.

As for the material, these boxes can be made from wood, plastic or metal, but regardless of the material you choose, all of them should contain padding in order to provide better insulation.

Why Keep Puppies There?

Even though not a must, practice has shown that these boxes have proven very helpful for pregnant mothers who go through labour and for puppies during their early stages of life. But the truth is that the reasons for owning one are many.

Safety and Security above All

There’s no denying that a puppy whelping box ensures a safe environment for both the mother and her puppies. According to experts and users, this box seems to help the mother during labour and the process while keeping the puppies next to her. On the other hand, this enclosed box helps the puppies stay in one place without getting injured or lost.

Improved Warmth and Comfort

As you may already know, during the first two weeks of their lives, puppies cannot see. But during this time, they also can’t regulate their body temperature, which is of vital importance for them to be in one place. Whelping boxes for puppies seem to be the perfect solution for this situation, and the best you can do to help them stay warm, safe and sound is to invest in a box with bedding. Investing in some other heating elements would also be of great benefit, especially during the cold time of the year. That way, you can successfully help them stay warm and sound.

Improved Hygiene

Another great advantage of having such a box is that it can offer improved cleanliness. According to manufacturers and dog owners, these boxes allow for easy cleaning and hygiene maintenance. This, on the other hand, is paramount for keeping both the mother and her puppies healthy and free from any infections, which during the first stages of life can be dangerous.

Uninterrupted Nursing and Improved Bonding

During the first stages of life, uninterrupted nursing is crucial for puppies, for their growth and development. And it seems that this box for dogs can give them precisely this. Being enclosed and having no access to strangers makes the box the perfect nook where both mother and puppies can have their private space for uninterrupted nursing. This, on the other hand, will contribute to improving the bond between them, which is of vital importance for having a good and healthy relationship.

Minimized Stress

The last but not least benefit of having such a box for the new mother and her puppies is minimised stress. Dog mothers go through the same stress as u humans when giving birth, so making the process less stressful should be your priority. And it seems that these boxes are one of the ways to achieve this. According to dog owners, a box of this kind can provide a safe environment, making the mother feel comfortable and worry-free.

How to Keep Them Warmer?

Soft Bedding

Ideally, you should line up the bottom of the box for puppies with soft and clean bedding. Ideally, you should place blankets, but adding towels or vet beds is also acceptable. One thing is certain, whatever type of bedding you plan on placing, make sure it’s washable because you’ll need to change it frequently. Since the bedding will get soiled frequently, you’ll want to ensure it‘s easily washable, as this will increase the box’s hygiene.

Heating Device

As already mentioned, when born, puppies aren’t able to regulate their body temperature, which is why they will need extra help to stay warm and cosy. Aside from bedding, you can also use some heating devices like heating pads, heat lamps, or heating blankets to provide them with extra warmth. That way, both the puppies and mother will stay safe, warm and cosy all of the time, and even when the mother is out of the box, the puppies can still stay warm.