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Is your dog expecting puppies soon? If so, you’ll want to have everything ready to keep her and the puppies safe and warm. One way to do this is to build a whelping box! A whelping box doesn’t have to be too ornate. You can usually build one over a weekend, depending on the design you choose.
What’s more, building your own whelping box is a great way to save money and customize the space for your dog and her puppies.
We’ve gathered some information and ideas on how on SIY whelping box plans for your fur baby! Let’s get started!
What is Whelping?
Whelping is the term used by breeders, and it refers to the process of birthing puppies. The actual definition means “delivering puppies.” “Whelps” is another word that means puppies.
When your dog is ready to give birth, the process of pushing the puppies out is called “whelping.” It’s at this time that your fur baby will look for a place to have her pups. She may have created a den of her own, or you can build her a whelping box!
What to Look for in a Whelping Box Design
Mother dogs usually search for a safe, quiet place to have their puppies. That means your fur baby could pick any spot that seems to suit her needs. She may choose to give birth under your bed, in a closet, or some other obscure place. The reason for building a whelping box is to provide your dog with a safe, secure, quiet place to give birth and take care of her puppies.
Here are some features to look for in a whelping box’s design:
- Should keep mother and puppies warm & dry
- Easy to clean
- Waterproof
- One and a half to two times the length of the mother dog, so she can stretch out full length, with room to spare
- Allows the mother dog to get away from the puppies and keeps the puppies from getting out
- Has a railing or ledge: this should be 3-4 inches off the floor and go around the entire box to keep the mother dog from suffocating or crushing a puppy that’s caught between her and the box sides
These are the main concerns, and what be included in a whelping box design. If you use a whelping box that fits these requirements, your mother dog will be happy and will be able to take better care of her puppies.
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Ask a Vet Live NowDIY Whelping Box Ideas
Here are a few ideas on some whelping boxes you can make for your dog!
1. Basic Whelping Box
Skill Level: Beginner
Here’s an idea for a basic whelping box from PetPlace! This is a basic box that’s the perfect choice for a beginning. The box features a plywood floor, puppy rails (to keep them in the box), and a folding door. The box measures 48” x 48”, and it takes about half a day to build.
| Materials |
| Plywood |
| Wood strips |
| Hinge |
| Wood Screws |
| Sandpaper |
| Vinyl flooring |
| Mending brace |
| Corner braces |
| Tools |
| Screwdriver |
| Table saw |
| Drill press |
| Wood bit |
| Spade bit |
| Forstner bit |
2. Whelping Box Plans
Skill Level: Beginner
Here’s another idea for a great whelping box from All Things Dogs! Here, you’ll have a couple of designs to choose from; both are easy to make. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions on this site.
The whelping boxes can be made from cardboard, plastic, or wood. Building a disposable box means you can throw out the whelping box when your puppies are done with it. That way, you won’t have to store the box or worry about cross-contamination if your dog has another litter of puppies.
These boxes are best for small to medium dog breeds. However, you can also adjust the measurements to make these whelping boxes the right size for a larger dog.
| Materials |
| Plastic sheets |
| Plastic glue |
| Plastic trim |
| Plastic piping/guttering |
| L-shaped trim |
| Materials & Tools for Wood Box |
| Plywood |
| Hammer |
| Nails |
| Wood glue |
| Wooden railing |
3. Dog Health Guide Whelping Box Plans
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
If you have more skill with wood working, you ider this Dog Health Guide whelping box. You can find the free blueprint and plans on their site. Just download the PDF!
You’ll find a plastic whelping box that’s 4’ x 4’. PVC pipe is used for the puppy rails, and this is easy to find at most hardware stores. It’s possible to build the box with a removable side if you’d like. This can make it easier to store and clean.
| Materials |
| Coraplast sheets |
| Glue |
| PVC pipe |
| Copper rivets |
| Silicone |
| Caulk |
| Plastic edging |
| Mat for the bottom of the box |
| Tools |
| Heavy-duty scissors |
| 4-in metal straight edge |
| Markers |
| Scoring tool |
| Rivet tools |
| Hammer |
| C-clamps |
| Clear plastic packing tape |
| PVC pipe cutter |
4. McEmm Mark III Whelping Box
Skill Level: Intermediate
The McEmm Mark III site offers a whelping box that features plywood panels between steel tee nuts and steel corner braces. As you can tell, this is a project that’s perfect for a person who has intermediate skills in woodworking and more.
The box also features an open bottom with no hardware projecting out from the panels. You’ll also find rounded edges safe for puppies and easy to disassemble. The box can be made to fit the size of your dog; however, the plans start with a 5’ whelping box.
| Materials |
| Plywood Sheets |
| Lumber |
| Polyurethane varnish |
| Different types of hardware |
| Tools |
| Screwdriver |
| Table saw |
| Drill press |
| Wood bit |
| Spade bit |
| Forstner bit |
| Router |
5. Flat Coat Whelping Box
Skill Level: Intermediate
Here’s another intermediate project you may want to consider for the whelping box. The Flat Coat website offers instructions on how to make a whelping box from pressboard with a white finish.
The plans are easy to understand, though you won’t find them in step-by-step order. And you definitely need intermediate skills to complete this whelping box design. However, this plan does not require as many tools as some of the others on our list!
| Materials |
| Presswood |
| Screws |
| Aluminum angel iron |
| Wood screws |
| Bathroom caulking |
| PVC pipe |
| Glue |
| Tools |
| Cutting tools for PVC & Plywood |
| Screwdriver |
| Drill |
Summing It Up
We hope this list of whelping box designs will help you find the best solution for your mother dog and her puppies. The goal is to ensure the box is safe, large enough, and comfortable for the momma dog and the puppies!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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