why does a whelping box need ledges 3 - 6 inches above the floor? course hero

by Dejon O'Kon 4 min read

How high above the floor is the bottom of a whelping box?

-Why does a whelping box need ledges 3-6 inches above the floor? To prevent a mother from crushing her puppies -The body temperature of a pregnant bitch about to give birth will increase from about 99 degrees C to about 102 degrees C. False

Do you need to line A whelping box?

Why You Should Have a Whelping Box For Your Dog. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a whelping box is the place where a pregnant dog will be delivering her litter. If you are new to this you will find this information very important, as it is essential for you to set up a place where the litter will be delivered safely.

Why do Whelping boxes fail?

Oct 30, 2015 · It does need to be cut to size to fit the box, and needs a good washing to remove all the residual chemicals and to soften the nap. You’ll need at least two pieces cut to the right size so one can be washed while the other is in use. A good option for lining the whelping box for newborns are lambskin crate pads.

What size plywood for whelping box?

12. Make holes 4 inches from the corners for the PVC pig rails, using ice pick and scissors - put one set of rails parallel at 3 inches above the floor and the other set of rails 4 inches above the floor 13. Measure the pipes and cut with pipe cutter so that one inch of pipe sticks out of either side of the box 14.

What is a whelping box?

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a whelping box is the place where a pregnant dog will be delivering her litter. If you are new to this you will find this information very important, as it is essential for you to set up a place where the litter will be delivered safely. The process of your dog going into labor is called whelping, hence, ...

How much does a whelping box cost?

Prices can range from $100 to as much as $400 ...

What do puppies need to survive?

There are three crucial things the newborn puppy must have to survive milk, warmth, and not being smothered. The Mother needs to feel safe, be comfortable, have room and not get over heated. You, as care taker, need easy access to check and care for puppies and be able to control mothers access.

Do puppies need heat?

Warmth is provided by the mother’s body , newborn puppies can’t regulate the temperature for the first week, So they have to have a source of heat keep them from getting cold. Puppies snuggle up to mother and keep warm but they also get pushed away from mother by competing pups.

Measuring for the Whelping Box

When measuring for a dog whelping box, measure your dog when she is lying down and fully stretched out. Then add an extra foot for her measurement. If you're going to add rails or barriers along the sides, add add an additional few inches.

Dog Whelping Box Sizes

If you have a small dog, consider a whelping box that is about 21 to 34 inches long and about 21 to 34 inches deep. For medium-size dog breeds, considered a whelping box that is about 28 to 34 inches long by 28 to 34 inches deep. Large dog breeds need whelping boxes that measure about 42 to 45 inches long by 34 to 40 inches deep.

Pig Rails

Q: I am new to this and have a question about pig rails. They are supposed to keep the mother from rolling over on the pups, right? Seems to me this will only work if a pup can get under the pig rail first. Am I missing something?

Whelping Box Dimensions

Q: Any idea how big I need to build my box for a (insert your dog breed here)?

Finishing

Q: Should I polyurethane the box? Just wondering if doing so might pose a danger to gnawing pups.

Access Panel

Q: How did you keep the pups from climbing out the entrance as they get a little older?#N#A: The adjustable access panel can be unscrewed and moved upward as needed to keep the puppies in. When they are first born, the panel is left off so that the mother can get in and out of the box very easily.

Miscellaneous Questions

Q: I assume with all the added extras on the floor makes it unnecessary to have a bottom, which is than raised off the floor? I say this, for I see many recommend raising a whelping box up off the floor by at least 2 inches.

Tip 1 — Measure An Area and Secure That Spot!

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Look around and decide on the spot where you’ll ideally place the whelping box. The part of the house where your bitch is most comfortable during the pregnancyis always a factor to consider but if it is in a narrow and dark place, you might have to help her relocate herself before she gives birth. You can consider an empty room, …
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Tip 2 — Buy Or DIY?

  • Base the whelping box on the measurements of the allotted space. If you find something in the store that fits your needs, then lucky you! If you’re looking into doing it for yourself, you must plan the features of your nest very well. Choose sturdy materials such as wood or a laminated particleboard like melamine. Melamine doesn’t absorb or trap odors too, so it is the best materia…
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Tip 3 — Have It Ready at Least Three Weeks Before The Bitch Is Due!

  • It is very important for the bitch to know her denso she’ll want to stay in the whelping box when the time comes. We don’t want her hiding and giving birth in hard to reach areas. We want to avoid the hassle of cleaning too, as much as possible. Help her like the nest by letting her eat and rest in it. Keep her comfortable by adding a replaceable form of bedding such as towels, newspapers, o…
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Tip 4 — Keep It Clean

  • Being tidy is everything. You have to make sure that your whelping box is clean every dayso it won’t turn into an eyesore at home. Make sure everything is handy by arranging the rugs and towels properly near the box. Place a trash bin nearbyso you can immediately dispose of soiled paper towels or newspapers. Replace the towel beddings every day and wash them immediatel…
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Tip 5 — Let The Puppies Explore!

  • Time will come that the puppies will get curious. They will explore on their mother’s food, they will loiter around the box and smell every corner of it. You can add a mini playground inside the nestso the puppies can play. This will be a cute feature in their pen which gives you a precious scene of playing puppies. It will be a better focal point of your home! With these steps, I hope to address y…
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