Paptacular! Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 My first litter is coming up at the beginning of February and I had my whelping box delivered last week. The box is 900mm x 900mm, so it should be very roomy for a pap. My question is, I'm going to be getting a piece of foam cut for the bedding. Should I do the whole 900 x 900 square, or do you think I should aim for 2/3rds of that size and have a small area near the entrance of the box free and unbedded for when the pups start to wander? As they grow I will be extending a penned area from the box so they have room to walk/play. Thoughts or suggestions welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bokezu Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I would personally get the full area, then there is no chance of a new born puppy getting on to the colder area without foam. Good Luck for a safe whelping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappiemum Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 In my whelping box I used newspapers and puppy training pads to absorb the moisture/liquid during the whelping, and then after have the paper and pads covered by the vet bed. If you are using the vet bed don't use the rubber backed one as the green backed one lets the moisture through more effectively (and the urine eventually effects the rubber). Also, cut your vet bed to size, and have at least three lots so you can wash/change regularly. Good luck with your litter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I would expect that a piece of foam would get a bit gross after one or two weeks, unless you're planning some time of cover on it? I, too, would get it cut to the whole area. I preferred to cover the whelping box with newspaper and then towels on top of - easier to clean. Slowly the pups are getting more elaborate kinds of bedding as they get cleaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I wouldn't use foam. Hard to wash and no traction for puppies to crawl. I use drybed, cover the entire area for the first couple of weeks and once the eyes are open reduce the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 My original plan was to get the 'bumpy' foam for traction and to have a cover made for it, but I may have to rethink. Was also planning on getting some vet bed (and defintely not rubber backed after reading SwaY's thread!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I would also be wary of using foam in the box if you are also going to have a heating pad on. It could give off fumes which could effect the babies. I use a few layers of newspaper, then vet bed and for the first two weeks cover the vet bed with baby blankets. I am wary of using towels as little claws can get stuck in the towelling. I also make sure that surrounding the box is a puppy pen covered by sheeting to keep out any drafts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I always have a little laugh when people say they use foam in the whelping box - I wish! No bitch I've ever had would allow a challenge like that to go untaken, a foam matress would be history in a very short time For the first few weeks I would cover the floor of the whole box with dry bed, once the pups are more mobile I make 1/2 the box bed and the other 1/2 newspaper and they quickly learn to move on to the newspaper to pee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozstar Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 (edited) I use the eggcup foam (bumpy) in the box. I have a piece that fits the whole box and another that does half the box. I wrap the foam in a qs quilt cover (place foam inside and wrap cover over a couple times), in winter I also place a piece of sherpa/vet bed over the top (in summer I find the quilt cover is enough). When the pups are mobile I use the half foam for bedding and newspaper for the rest of the box. I have never had a bitch dig/rip up the foam yet. Leanne Edited January 6, 2011 by Ozstar Kennels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerlover Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I use matress protectors when pups r tiny ,with vet bed on top when they start coming out to *P*reduce the covering to half way & place newspaper for toileting area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 My whelping box doesn't have a floor in it and I put a foam dog mat on the floor, took up about half the box, with tarp over the whole area, then put the box on top, then newspaper, blankets etc. I figured my princess wouldn't thank me for making her lay on just a few layers of papers and a couple of blankets, pups or no pups to distract her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 There shouldn't be a need for a heating pad, this is Darwin after all! I will make sure I have a hot water bottle handy though in case of a cool day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laneka Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I use yoga matting from the $2 shop. I cover all of the whelping box and put newspaper on top of that then bedding. It is lovely and comfy for the bitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 I use the eggcup foam (bumpy) in the box. I have a piece that fits the whole box and another that does half the box.I wrap the foam in a qs quilt cover (place foam inside and wrap cover over a couple times), in winter I also place a piece of sherpa/vet bed over the top (in summer I find the quilt cover is enough). When the pups are mobile I use the half foam for bedding and newspaper for the rest of the box. I have never had a bitch dig/rip up the foam yet. Leanne This sounds good actually, with the quilt cover. Although I think my Mum got rid of a bunch of old sheets and quilt covers not long ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patters Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I have my Paps in a crate bottom in the whelping box for the first 2 weeks. If you don't need a heat pad, I would peg a towel over 3/4 of the top to help keep the warmth in. You will find the pups will squirm to where they are most comfortable. I haven't had the issues Sway has with the Rubber backed Vet Bed. It has been perfect for my last couple of litters. It is too hot for some of the adults and they prefer different bedding. My whelping box is a little larger (purchased 20 years ago for Collie litters). I have it 50/50 newspaper / Vet Bed. Its amazing how soon they will start to crawl off to the side to toilet after starting on solids at 3 weeks old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ophnbark Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I made foam crate mats for the whelping box which I just throw in the washing machine, have got 6 of them so always another on hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowenhart Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 For a small breed you might find Patter's set up better. I do something similar for the Lowchen. I have a bottom of a PP40 which I line with paper and stack with blankets/dry bed. In winter I put a heat pad in and put the top on to keep the heat in (tho not needed for Darwin) For the first couple of weeks mum and babes stay in there all snug and comfy. Once they start moving around, the pups start to explore the area I have penned off around the crate which I have lino on with paper. They soon learn to sleep in the box and play/toilet on the outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowenhart Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 (edited) Mogwai!! Edited January 6, 2011 by Lowenhart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozstar Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 This sounds good actually, with the quilt cover. Although I think my Mum got rid of a bunch of old sheets and quilt covers not long ago I get all mine quilt covers from op shops, normally cost $2-$4, they wash easy and dry quickly. Leanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Mine has lino, that extends well out of the box. New carpet cut to size ( that gets replaced twice for the first two weeks, then removed ). On top of that is the bedding, in one big sheet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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