Whelping dogs

Whelping dogs is a fantastic experience for both you and your kids. It is a delight to see the look on their faces as they watch the magic of a wriggling puppy come out of the birth sac, crawl over to mum and immediately start suckling, just as natural as can be.

However, whelping dogs can also be quite a harrowing experience, if you are not prepared for it. To make it as pleasant as possible, it is essential you prepare properly.

The whelping box

You will need a whelping box when you are whelping puppies. A whelping box must be the right size for your brood-bitch to be able to lay at full stretch comfortably. The sides should be about 75% longer than your dog. If you are whelping dogs in the colder months your whelping box should be heated, and if not, you should buy a heating pad.

A dog whelping kit is essential when whelping dogs

Go to your Vet a week before the due whelping date, and get a dog whelping kit. This should include injections of oxytocin, calcium gluconate and penicillon, already prepared in syringes, for you to use during and after the whelping occurs.

Other things you may need in preparation for whelping dogs include -