Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the “3 Best Dog Whelping Boxes – Buyer’s Guide.” Welcoming a new litter of puppies into the world is an exciting and delicate process, and choosing the right whelping box is crucial for the health and comfort of both the mother and her pups. In this guide, we’ll explore three top-notch whelping boxes, highlighting their features, benefits, and considerations to help you make an informed decision for your furry family members.
Whether it’s your first whelping experience or you’ve seen your dog go into labour a couple of times, you need to be extra careful in choosing the best whelping box for her. If you aren’t careful, you can end up compromising the comfort and safety of your dog and her puppies.
Need the perfect whelping box to keep your dog safe?
To help you decide, below are the top 3 recommendations you should seriously consider:
Why Do You Need a Whelping Box?
Table of Contents
A whelping box is the best solution to keep your litter of puppies warm, safe and comfortable for the first days and weeks of their lives.
It should be durable, washable and free from any drafts. It should also be large enough to allow the puppies plenty of room to eat, sleep and play for up to five weeks.
A dog whelping box can be made from a range of materials, from plastic to cardboard, and all offer their advantages and disadvantages.
With this in mind, read on to learn more about how to choose the best whelping boxes for dogs.
Best Whelping Box Recommendations
In our opinion, these are the whelping boxes that should be at the top of everyone’s wish lists.
PetNap Plastic Whelping Box
PetNaps plastic whelping box is an amazing one-piece box that is simple to use and clean. Perfect for your pregnant doggie and their litter when born.
Easy to lay blankets down and clean up, this whelping box is amazing.
Comes in 3 sizes – 24×24 inches, 30×30 inches, 36×36 inches, and the opening is slightly different on each.
Openings:
24×24 box = 6 inches opening
30×30 box = 6.5 inches opening
36×36 box = 7 inches opening
All boxes are only available in White and stand at 12 inches tall. Depending on your dog size depends on which box to get. The 30x30inch box comfortably housed a cockapoo mum and seven puppies to give you an idea.
Wiping is easy. Simply wet cloth or wet wipe and then dry with some kitchen roll/ towel. As the plastic is simple to clean, a regular clean should be carried out to ensure your pups and mum remain free from any nasty germs or bacteria.
Pros
- Moulded plastic
- Flexible
- Strong
- Puppy rails included
Cons
- Not ideal for large dogs
Solid Wood Waterproof Whelping Box
This beautiful hardwood whelping box is ideal for mothers and puppies. The bottom plate and the outer walls are solid and stable. At the front, you can pull out the opening with a handle.
The whelping box is made entirely of a screen printing plate and is completely waterproof. The floor is made of a solid screen printing plate in 8.39-inch thickness.
The whelping box comes in parts and is very easy to fit together in just a few minutes. Should the whelping box no longer be required, you can easily take it apart and store it for another time. The box is different from others due to the waterproof printing plate, but it looks fantastic for your dog and litter.
Pros
- Solid wood puppy crate
- This beautiful hardwood box whelping is ideal for mothers and puppies
Cons
- Not ideal for large dogs
Petnap Disposable Whelping Box – Multiple Sizes
This whelping box is low cost and disposable to avoid cross-contamination between litters. They come in sizes from 24″ square to 48″ square. Made from corrugated Double-walled cardboard.
Each box consists of 3 rails and a waterproof liner.
It would be best if you always considered buying additional bedding for your whelping box, but these disposable whelping boxes are exactly that, disposable. However, they can become quite expensive if you have to buy several.
The multiple sizes they come in mean that the disposable whelping box caters for all sizes of dogs and litter and ensures the same type of support as the more expensive whelping boxes. The biggest downside is they don’t last as long.
Pros
- Water-resistant base
- Single-use
- Puppy rails included
- Door for dog
Cons
- Pricey
- Can’t clean walls
- Not as durable
How To Choose a Whelping Box?
Size
To determine what size of box you will need to purchase, you need to know the size of your dog and the average litter size for her breed. You want everyone to fit comfortably within the box, with enough room for the mother to stretch out and the puppies to move around. If it is too large, then your dog may feel exposed, making her feel uncomfortable and less secure.
Height is also an important factor. If it is too low, the puppies could escape and be exposed to harmful situations. While if it is too high, the female may not be able to get in and out with ease.
Materials
There are pros and cons to each type of material. Generally, a box made of plastic will be easy to clean, and there are different grades of plastic, with some being stronger than others. If it is too thin, it can be broken with enough pressure. Vinyl is durable and lightweight, though there can be jagged pieces if it breaks. Both plastic and vinyl won’t absorb fluids, making them more sanitary and less likely to harbour germs and parasites.
You will want a durable and strong box unless you are going to use the box only once; in that case, you may want to consider a disposable box. Disposable boxes aren’t as durable but may work well, especially for smaller dogs.
Design
The typical design of the whelping box is one with high sides and a “door” for the mother dog so she can get in and out easier while still containing the pups. There should be puppy rails along each side that prevent the mother from accidentally pinning a puppy against the wall and smothering it.
Some may offer handles to make it easier to move from place to place, and the box may or may not have a bottom. The advantage of this is that you can place materials of your preference, making the box lighter and easier to move around.
Cost
You will notice that whelping boxes are not cheap, and some are more expensive than others due to the quality of the materials. If you are on a budget, try to find one that fits your requirements and offers the features you desire. If you will be using the box for the long term, it is important to purchase one durable enough to hold up to the rough abuse from various puppies.
Comfort
Your mama dog will want a comfortable spot for her and her newborns. Line the box with plenty of newspapers for your dog to use as nesting material. You can add additional accessories to the whelping box to make it nice and cosy.
Can I build my own Dog Whelping Box?
Of course- if you’re good at DIY, then why not have a go at making your own.
Whelping Boxes are generally 4ft x 4ft with an overall height of 2 feet (apart from the entrance)– this is to keep puppies from escaping. Mummy Dog should easily get in and out of the whelping box, especially for toilet time. The door is mostly half the size of the rest of the walls. Pigtail installation should be around half the width of your dog’s chest. These are to ensure that your dog remains comfortable after giving birth and can lie on her side. Keeping level with the spine.
You can use some thick Dowling wood or a thin drain pipe/water pipe to make the pigtail. The pigtail is used to protect your newborn puppies from a major accident like being crushed against the wall. When installing, it should be 4 inches minimum from the base of the dog whelping box. When asleep, your mummy dog will not crush the puppies as the pipe will protect them. Strong piping is necessary as you don’t want it to bend or snap and cause any damage to puppies or mum.
Cardboard / Plastic / Wood – Which is Best?
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cardboard | Easy to Dispose of and very cheap | Will need more than one throughout the time a pup is in there as all liquid, pee and poop is absorbed. |
| Plastic | Great for Hygiene and Keeping Clean | It can be more expensive |
| Wood | Large Breed Dogs require these | Must be waterproofed and fit where you need it as they can be very heavy |
Do It Yourself Disposable Dog Whelping Box: Building Guide
Whether you are building a Cardboard, Plastic or a wooden dog whelping box, you can follow the same method as they should all look similar anyway. I have always loved the disposable whelping boxes, albeit I have needed several. They protect your puppies more. WHY? Well,
- Protect from cross-contamination
- Recyclable
Quick and Easy 4 step guide to building a Dog Whelping Box
- Measure and cut all your sides. Your base should be approx. 4ft x 4ft. The entrance should be low enough for mum to get out.
- If you are using Wood, then simply nail all the sides together. A bit of wood glue wouldn’t hurt either. For Plastic, get some solid glue/ adhesive.
- Nail or glue the base to the sides
- Attaching the rail should be done with glue, whether wood or plastic. Simple enough. 4 inches up from the base, and make sure the length of the Dowling / pipe is long enough to be a tight fit.
A Haven for New Beginnings
As we wrap up our exploration of the “3 Best Dog Whelping Boxes,” it’s clear that providing a safe and comfortable environment for your expectant canine companion is essential. Investing in the right whelping box can contribute significantly to the well-being of both the mother and her precious litter. Remember to consider factors such as size, material, and ease of cleaning when making your decision. With the right whelping box, you’re not just providing shelter; you’re creating a haven for new beginnings. May your journey into puppy parenthood be filled with joy, warmth, and the unconditional love that only our loyal canine friends can provide.
As you can see, the whelping box is more than a place for your dog to have her babies, it’s a home, and it should offer security and comfort. Providing the best box will ensure that your dog is happy and reduces your worry about keeping the puppies safe.
The Pet Nap is our top pick from the list of the best whelping boxes; moulded from strong, flexible plastic, it will last for many years.
We hope that our reviews list helps you on your journey to finding the most appropriate whelping box for your dog and one that meets your expectations. Caring for dogs is important in general, but once you have a female dog expecting, it is a whole new experience.
Which one did you choose?
Do let us know in the comments below if there is any other whelping box available in the market or if you think that DIY disposable whelping box is the best option to go for!
