Essential Whelping Products for You: A Complete List of Whelping Supplies with Links.
Welcoming a litter of puppies into the world is an exciting and heartwarming experience. Maybe you’re an experienced breeder or have recently rescued a pregnant dog, and you’re frantically trying to remember “all the things”. We’ve been there too! Whelping can be overwhelming if you’re unprepared. Making sure you have the right whelping supplies for puppies on hand can make the process smoother for both you and the mother dog.
This guide outlines the essential products and helpful tips you need to successfully care for mom and her puppies. Get your whelping supplies for puppies early, so you are not running around shopping for things when your dam is in labor.
Pre-Whelping Preparations
Understanding Dog Whelping
Whelping refers to the process of a dog giving birth to her puppies. In the weeks leading up to whelping, it’s crucial to monitor the pregnant dog’s health and behavior. A drop in her rectal temperature (below 99°F) often indicates that labor will begin within 24 hours. Having your supplies ready before this stage is vital.
Key Products for Pre-Whelping
- Whelping Box:
- A secure, clean, and comfortable area for the mother to deliver her puppies.
- Choose a size that allows her to move around but keeps puppies safely contained.
- Place the box in a quiet, warm room. Excess noise will complicate her labor.
- Shop Whelping Boxes
- Heating Pads:
- Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature, so warmth is critical.
- Use a heating pad set to low.
- Keep the room warm enough with no drafts.
- Browse Heating Pads
- Thermometer:
- For tracking the mother’s temperature as labor approaches.
- Track the dams temperature twice a day after birth to make sure she doesn’t run a fever.
- Find Thermometers
- Milk Replacer:
- Keep a high-quality puppy milk replacer on hand in case supplemental feeding is needed. Brands like Esbilac are widely recommended.
- We like the Nature’s Pharmacy brand for our milk replacer and other whelping supplies.
- Buy Puppy Milk Replacer
During Whelping: Must-Have Whelping Supplies for Puppies
Emergency Kit Essentials
Whelping is usually a natural process, but complications can arise. Having these supplies ready will help you assist as needed:
- Sterile Gloves and Towels:
- To maintain hygiene and gently clean newborns if necessary.
- Get Sterile Gloves and Towels
- Puppy Scales:
- Accurate scales help you monitor each puppy’s weight to ensure they’re thriving.
- Shop Puppy Scales
- Umbilical Cord Care:
- Products like hemostats, dental floss, or cord clamps are useful for tying off and cutting cords.
- Buy Umbilical Cord Supplies
- Scissors and Surgical Thread:
- Use sterilized scissors for cutting cords if the mother doesn’t chew them off herself.
- Find Scissors and Thread
- Suction Bulb:
- To clear fluid from a puppy’s nose or mouth to help them breathe more easily.
- Browse Suction Bulbs
- Delee Style Suction Catheter: This is to clear fluid from a puppy’s lungs and mouth that had a hard time birthing and may have aspirated. Buy here
Comfort Items for Mom and Puppies
- Washable Puppy Mats/Bedding:
- Opt for materials that are washable and won’t pose a choking hazard to puppies.
- Shop Puppy Bedding
- Puppy Safe Heating Source:
- Ensure the heat source doesn’t overheat the area or come into direct contact with the puppies.
- Find Heating Sources
Post-Whelping: Care for Mom and Puppies
Ongoing Health Products
- Puppy Formula and Bottles:
- Weak or rejected puppies may require bottle feeding. Have a nursing kit ready.
- Buy Puppy Formula and Bottles
- Veterinary Contact Information:
- Keep your veterinarian’s phone number easily accessible for emergencies.
- Scale and Record-Keeping Materials:
- Track the weight and health progress of each puppy to identify potential issues early.
- Get Badass Breeder Record-Keeping Supplies
Cleaning Supplies
- Non-Toxic Cleaners:
- Clean the whelping area regularly to prevent infection.
- Shop Non-Toxic Cleaners
- Disposable Pads:
- Use puppy pads or absorbent liners to simplify cleanup and maintain hygiene.
- Find Disposable Pads
Nice-to-Have Extras
- Colostrum Supplements:
- For weak puppies, colostrum provides a critical boost to their immune systems.
- Buy Colostrum Supplements
- Puppy ID Collars:
- These are helpful in larger litters to identify and track individual puppies.
- Shop Puppy ID Collars
- Camera or Notebook:
- Documenting milestones or keeping detailed records is invaluable for breeders.
- Get Record Keeping Charts
What to Do If Things Go Wrong
While most whelping experiences go smoothly, complications can arise. Here are some tips:
- Stay calm and prepared with an emergency kit.
- If a puppy isn’t breathing, use a suction bulb and gently rub them with a clean towel.
- In case of prolonged labor or visible distress, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Products like oxygen concentrators or syringe feeding kits can be lifesavers in critical situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best way to set up a whelping area?
A: Choose a quiet, draft-free location with easy access to supplies. The area should be warm, clean, and secure to keep the mother and puppies safe. Dams need privacy and quiet to safely birth and care for their babies.
Q: How do I know if a puppy is struggling?
A: Signs include failure to gain weight, constant crying, isolating itself from the puppy pile, difficulty nursing, or lethargy. Consult a veterinarian if these occur.
Q: When should I involve a veterinarian?
A: If labor lasts longer than 24 hours, if the dam pushes for more then 30 minutes without a pup appearing, if there is a break longer then 4 hours between puppies and you know she is not finished, if there are signs of distress, or a puppy appears weak and unresponsive, seek veterinary care immediately.
Where to Buy Whelping Supplies for Puppies
To make your preparation easier, here’s a list of trusted websites where you can find high-quality whelping supplies for puppies:
- Chewy
- Chewy Whelping Supplies
Offers a wide range of dog supplies, including whelping boxes, milk replacers, heating pads, and more.
- Chewy Whelping Supplies
- Revival Animal Health
- Revival Animal Health Whelping Supplies
A trusted source for veterinary-grade whelping kits, colostrum supplements, and medical tools.
- Revival Animal Health Whelping Supplies
- Amazon
- Amazon Whelping Supplies
A variety of products, from whelping pads to thermometers and puppy scales.
- Amazon Whelping Supplies
- Petco
- Petco Dog Supplies
Find heating lamps, bedding, and cleaning products for your whelping setup.
- Petco Dog Supplies
- Jeffers Pet
- Jeffers Pet Whelping Products
Specializing in farm and pet care, they offer unique tools like ID collars and feeding syringes.
- Jeffers Pet Whelping Products
- Tractor Supply Co.
- Tractor Supply Whelping Supplies
Ideal for rural breeders, offering heat lamps, bedding, and cleaning supplies.
- Tractor Supply Whelping Supplies
- VetRxDirect
- VetRxDirect Whelping Products
A great source for medical-grade products, including milk replacers and supplements.
- VetRxDirect Whelping Products
- Walmart
- Walmart Dog Supplies
Affordable options for puppy pads, thermometers, and basic whelping tools.
- Walmart Dog Supplies
- Nature’s Farmacy
- Nature’s Farmacy Whelping Products
Specializes in nutritional and health supplements for dogs, including products for whelping mothers.
- Nature’s Farmacy Whelping Products
- Dog.com
- Dog.com Whelping Supplies
Offering supplies like disposable liners, thermometers, and cleaning tools.
- Dog.com Whelping Supplies
Printable Whelping Supplies Checklist
Pre-Whelping Supplies:
- Whelping Box
- Heating Pad
- Thermometer
- Puppy Milk Replacer
- Calcium Paste for Mom
During Whelping:
- Sterile Gloves and Towels
- Puppy Scales
- Umbilical Cord Care Supplies
- Scissors and Surgical Thread
- Suction Bulb
Post-Whelping:
- Puppy Formula and Bottles
- A form of glucose, corn syrup etc.
- Syringes
- Puppy Tubes
- Miracle Nipples
- Fading Puppy Support
- Veterinary Contact Information
- Scale and Record-Keeping Materials
- Non-Toxic Cleaners
- Disposable Pads
Extras:
- Colostrum Supplements
- Puppy ID Collars
- Plasma to Give Newborn Puppies
- Camera or Notebook
Plasma for Newborn Puppies: Especially Helpful for Small or Immune Compromised Pups.
One of the most critical aspects of vulnerable puppies is ensuring they receive the proper nutrients and immune support in the first 24 hours. This plasma can be a lifesaver in situations where a puppy might not be able to get adequate colostrum from their mother or if additional immune support is needed. You can buy plasma from your veterinarian or a trusted source and keep it frozen for up to 5 years.
Why Plasma is Important for Newborn Puppies
Newborn puppies are born with underdeveloped immune systems and rely on the colostrum from their mother’s milk for the first few hours of life to help build their immunity. However, some puppies may not receive enough colostrum for various reasons such as insufficient milk production, complications during birth, or a dam’s health issues. In such cases, plasma supplementation can step in to provide essential antibodies that help prevent infections and support the puppy’s overall health during this vulnerable period.
Canine blood plasma is collected from healthy, carefully screened dogs, ensuring that it is safe and full of the antibodies needed for immune support. It is available in different formats, such as frozen plasma or plasma-derived products, making it a versatile and convenient option for breeders, rescue organizations, and veterinarians.
How to Use Plasma for Newborn Puppies
If you find yourself needing to supplement a puppy’s immune system with plasma, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to determine the right dosage and administration method. Plasma is typically administered to newborn puppies orally within the first 24 hours of birth. Or via subq injection or intravenous (IV) line under the guidance of a vet after 24 hours.
It’s important to act quickly. The first 24 hours are critical in ensuring that a puppy receives adequate immunoglobulin levels to support their immune system, and plasma can help fill in the gap when colostrum is unavailable or insufficient.
The Benefits of Using Plasma
- Rapid Immune Boost: Plasma contains the necessary immunoglobulins that provide puppies with immediate immune protection. This helps combat the risk of infections during their early days.
- Reliable and Safe: Ethical plasma products come from healthy, screened donors, ensuring that the plasma is both effective and safe for puppies.
- Prevents Fading Puppy Syndrome: One of the biggest threats to newborn puppies is fading puppy syndrome, which can result from inadequate nutrition and immune support. Plasma helps prevent this by bolstering their health in the first critical days.
- Easy to Use: With various forms of plasma available, you can choose the one that best suits the puppy’s needs, whether it’s injectable or oral administration.
When to Consider Plasma
- If the mother has no milk: When a mother dog is unable to produce enough milk or has lactation issues, plasma can provide the vital immune support her puppies need.
- In cases of fading puppy syndrome: If a puppy is struggling to thrive, plasma may be part of a broader treatment plan to give them a better chance of survival.
- For at-risk puppies: Puppies born in stressful or difficult circumstances (such as prematurity or after a complicated birth) may benefit from plasma supplementation to help them get a strong start in life.
Incorporating plasma into your care regimen can be help insure that your newborn puppies have the best chance of thriving, especially when faced with early health challenges. Always work closely with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for each puppy’s specific needs.
For more information on plasma products and how to incorporate them into your puppy care routine, visit Hemopet’s website or consult with your vet.
Puppy Whelping Supplies Recap:
Preparation is the key to a smooth and successful whelping experience. Having the right products on hand ensures you can confidently care for the mother and her puppies. It will give you peace of mind, and you will not be left wondering ‘what if’. Remember, each litter is unique, and challenges can arise even with the best planning. Losses do happen, and it is not your fault! Don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian or reach out for support if needed.
If you have questions or need additional guidance, feel free to contact us. Share your whelping experiences or ask for product recommendations in the comments – we’re here to help!
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