Any ideas of what to use as a whelping box for puppies what are due in 4 weeks xx?

Answers:
Depends on the breed - a smallish breed, a large cardboard box with a cut out so Mum can get out, but the pups won't fall out, is as good as anything - you can throw it away %26 use another one once the messy business of whelping is over. If it's a large breed, you really need a wooden box with pig rails to stop the Mum lying on the pups %26 killing them. I use a crate with a drop down side, so Mum can get out, but the pups can't. If you use a crate, make sure the mesh is small enough so that the pups can't get their heads stuck in it (happened to me once - horrendous!)

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When my parent's dog had puppies, she didn't have a whelping box. She had a HUGE crate (was used for a goat, previously). Worked wonderfully, also.

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You can use a kids wading pool. You can find them at any places like Target or WalMart.

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Use one of those little kiddy pools with lots of blankets in it.

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i breed golden retrievers and i just use an exersice pen for the whelping box. it is alot cheaper then getting a box that will cost you an arma nd a leg( very expensive). the pen will be good for her and while she is nursing them. this will keep her in there with the pups to feed them. i used this with my last litter and i still use it. go to the good will and get towels and old blankets to use when she has her pups. it is cheaper to do this then to use your personal things from home. i hope this helps and good luck with your puppies when they come.

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if you can... build it with plywood about 2 1/2 foot tall so they cant get out when the get old enough to climb. but if you cant do that i like the idea of the kiddie poolo but soon enough they will be able to get out. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A HEAT LAMP IN WITH THE PUPPIES!! Mommy doggy does not stay in there all the time so get a heat lamp from walmart kmart co-op or tsc and put it in the corner or on the side high enough that they cant touch it but it still gives heat. Good luck with the babies!!

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let mum lay on a blanket (in welping box) when she is delivering but then switch to shredded news paper. Easy to clean and pups arent at risk of getting caught in holes or on thread.

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You could always buy one. http://www.whelping-box.com/

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How big is the dog?? A swimming pool works well for smaller dogs.. Otherwise build a nice whelping box.
If this is a one time deal, then use the swimming pool, easy to clean up and it's weeks before they are able to jump out the sides.

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I have to agree with Golden... at our vet clinic we recommend kiddie pools (hard plastic, NOT the kind you need to blow up). Good luck!

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When my Bloodhound had pups I used a refrigerator Box...just cardBoard that had a place cut out short enough for my momma dog to get out But too tall for the pups to get out.
Someone aBove said to use shredded paper, actually thats not really a good idea Because it can give the pups splayed legs while they are developing their standing aBilities. Good luck with your BaiBes!!

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If it's a smaller breed, you could go to your local furniture store and ask for a refridgerator box. If you have a larger breed, buy a kiddie pool. They're usually about 25 dollars. either use lots of blankets or lots of newspaper..

Good Luck :)

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Hi
We built one out ( the wood kitchen cupboards are made of)
it has to be big enough for the mother and her puppies,and for the puppies to play in when they are bigger,and a place from the mother to be able to jump out of, and safe enough so the puppies can't get out of when bigger remember, the puppies are in the whelping box from birth until 8 weeks old
You need to put a rail at the bottom to stop the mother from lying on/killing the puppies this is a safe guard,On the wood floor we put Lino and put Vet bed on top, this is much easier to keep clean, newspaper gets to wet, soggy ,smelly and the print comes off onto the puppies, you just get a mess from newspaper,
You need a warm room,a heat lamp and a heat pad to keep the puppies warm, puppies die from the cold because they cannot retain heat, this is very important
You need puppy formula, tiny feeding bottles %26 teats, for emergecies
You need towels, dettol and you will need weighing scales,and a note book,
You will need to weigh each puppy at birth and each week to see if the are gaining weight and to record it.
Buy a book on whelping boxes or go to your Library to get a book on them, you haven't got much time,
Go to www.whelping-box.com it will show you a picture of a whelping box and the rails I mentioned this is what ours looked like
We made our whelping so we could get in it as well to play with pupppies when they were bigger, we have it for next time, our dog is a Samoyed she had 3 puppies 28/12/06
Lots of Luck ,Enjoy the puppies.