Whelping is the process of giving birth in dogs. Understanding the stages of labour, proper preparation, and safety measures ensures the health and well-being of both mother and puppies during this critical time.
Important Notice
Always consult with your veterinarian before, during, and after whelping. Have emergency veterinary contacts readily available. This guide is for educational purposes and should not replace professional veterinary advice.
Pre-Whelping Preparation
Proper preparation is essential for a successful whelping experience. Before breeding, ensure you understand responsible dog breeding practices and legal requirements. Use our breeding heat cycle & whelping planner to track your dog's pregnancy and calculate important dates.
Essential Preparations:
- Whelping box setup: Prepare a clean, comfortable whelping area
- Veterinary contact: Ensure 24/7 access to veterinary care
- Whelping kit: Gather essential supplies for birth
- Temperature monitoring: Track the mother's temperature daily
- Quiet environment: Prepare a calm, stress-free area
- Emergency planning: Know signs requiring immediate veterinary attention
Timeline for Preparation:
- Week 6-7: Set up whelping box and introduce the mother
- Week 8: Begin daily temperature monitoring
- Week 9: Prepare whelping kit and confirm veterinary availability
- Day 58-63: Expected whelping period (average 63 days)
Whelping Box Importance
A proper whelping box is crucial for the safety and comfort of both mother and puppies. It provides a controlled environment that protects newborns from injury and helps maintain proper hygiene.
Why You Need a Whelping Box:
- Puppy safety: Prevents newborns from wandering and getting lost or injured
- Temperature control: Maintains proper warmth for vulnerable puppies
- Hygiene management: Easier to keep clean and sanitised
- Mother comfort: Provides secure, familiar environment for birthing
- Injury prevention: Protects puppies from being accidentally crushed
- Monitoring ease: Allows better observation of mother and litter
Whelping Box Features:
- Pig rails: Prevent mother from crushing puppies against walls
- Removable front panel: Easy access for mother while containing puppies
- Washable materials: Easy to clean and disinfect
- Appropriate size: Large enough for mother to stretch out comfortably
- Non-slip base: Provides secure footing for mother and puppies
Recommended product: Professional whelping box on Amazon - designed specifically for safe puppy birthing.
Stages of Whelping
Stage 1: Pre-Labour
Duration: 6-12 hours (can be up to 24 hours for first-time mothers)
What happens: The cervix begins to dilate and the uterus starts contracting.
Signs to Watch For:
- Temperature drop: Normal temperature (38.5°C) drops to 37°C or below
- Restlessness: Pacing, digging, nesting behaviour
- Loss of appetite: Refusing food or eating less
- Panting: Rapid breathing without exertion
- Seeking solitude: Wanting to be alone or hiding
- Vomiting: Occasional vomiting may occur
What to Do:
- Encourage the mother to settle in the whelping box
- Provide comfort and reassurance
- Monitor temperature and behaviour
- Ensure quiet, calm environment
Stage 2: Active Labour
Duration: 2-12 hours (varies with litter size)
What happens: Active contractions begin and puppies are delivered.
Signs to Watch For:
- Strong contractions: Visible abdominal contractions
- Water breaking: Clear fluid discharge
- Pushing: Active straining and pushing
- Puppy delivery: First puppy typically arrives within 1-2 hours
- Intervals: 15 minutes to 2 hours between puppies
Emergency Signs - Call Vet Immediately:
- Strong contractions for 2+ hours without puppy delivery
- More than 4 hours between puppies
- Green discharge before first puppy
- Puppy stuck in birth canal
- Excessive bleeding or foul-smelling discharge
Stage 3: Delivery of Placenta
Duration: 5-15 minutes after each puppy
What happens: The placenta (afterbirth) is delivered after each puppy.
Important Points:
- One placenta per puppy: Count to ensure all are delivered
- Mother may eat placenta: This is normal behaviour
- Retained placenta: Serious concern requiring veterinary attention
- Green discharge: Normal after placenta delivery
What to Monitor:
- Count placentas to match number of puppies
- Watch for signs of retained placenta
- Monitor mother's condition and behaviour
- Ensure all puppies are breathing and nursing
Whelping Kit Essentials
Essential Supplies:
- Clean towels: For drying and stimulating puppies
- Sterilised scissors: For cutting umbilical cords if needed
- Dental floss: For tying off umbilical cords
- Thermometer: For monitoring mother's temperature
- Disposable gloves: For hygiene during assistance
- Heating pad or lamp: To keep puppies warm
- Scales: For weighing puppies
- Notebook: To record birth times and puppy details
Emergency Supplies:
- Iodine solution: For umbilical cord care
- Bulb syringe: For clearing puppy airways
- Glucose solution: For emergency puppy feeding
- Veterinary contact details: 24/7 emergency numbers
Caring for Newborn Puppies
The first few weeks of a puppy's life are crucial for their development. Understanding puppy life stages helps ensure proper care from birth through adulthood.
Immediate Post-Birth Care:
- Breathing check: Ensure all puppies are breathing normally
- Warmth: Maintain temperature of 29-32°C for newborns
- Nursing: Help puppies find nipples and begin nursing
- Weighing: Record birth weights and monitor daily
- Identification: Use coloured collars or markers to identify puppies
- Observation: Watch for signs of distress or illness
Signs of Healthy Puppies:
- Strong sucking reflex
- Steady weight gain (daily increases)
- Active movement and vocalisation
- Pink gums and tongue
- Regular urination and defecation
Post-Whelping Care
Mother Care:
- Veterinary check: Schedule post-whelping examination
- Nutrition: Increase high-quality food for lactation
- Hydration: Ensure constant access to fresh water
- Rest: Provide quiet, comfortable environment
- Monitoring: Watch for signs of mastitis or infection
- Gentle exercise: Short walks after first week
Warning Signs - Seek Veterinary Care:
- Fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Swollen, hot, or painful mammary glands
- Difficulty breathing or excessive panting
- Aggression towards puppies
- Excessive bleeding or discharge
Frequently Asked Questions
The entire whelping process typically takes 6-24 hours. Stage 1 (pre-labour) can last 6-12 hours, whilst active labour (Stage 2) usually takes 2-12 hours depending on litter size. First-time mothers may take longer.
Call immediately if: strong contractions continue for 2+ hours without puppy delivery, more than 4 hours pass between puppies, green discharge appears before the first puppy, or you notice excessive bleeding or foul-smelling discharge.
Most dogs whelp naturally without assistance. Only intervene if absolutely necessary and you have veterinary guidance. Common assistance includes clearing membranes from puppies' faces, cutting umbilical cords, or helping with initial breathing stimulation.
The whelping area should be 22-24°C for the mother's comfort, but newborn puppies need 29-32°C. Use a heating pad or lamp on one side of the whelping box so puppies can move to cooler areas if needed, whilst maintaining warmth for proper development.
Supporting New Life
Whelping is a natural process that usually proceeds smoothly with proper preparation and monitoring. A well-equipped whelping box, veterinary support, and understanding of the birth stages help ensure the safety and health of both mother and puppies during this miraculous time.
