materials for whelping box - Page 1

What materials do you like/dislike and why for whelping boxes? Does this change during different times i.e. whelping day vs later on? I sometimes see and hear about something that sounds/looks like a blanket but possibaly with a backing of some sort. Thank you in advance

Gsdlvr2, of what materials do you speak? Are you talking about the construction of the box, or the materials that are used inside the box? I presume you are talking about the materials used during and after the whelp. During the whelp I use old, clean bath towels to line the box, and keep one (1) close to the bitch's rear so I can change it when it is wet. My goal is to keep everything as dry and warm as possible. After the whelping is finished, I line the bottom of the box with clean, dry newsprint in several layers that I can easily change. I am sure to use the plain newsprint, and not the glossy paper because it does not absorb fluids and becomes slippery. Past all that, I have a small radio playing nearby during the whelp and for all days that the puppies are nursing. I strongly believe that they need to hear human voices, music. and strange sounds while in the whelping area. Now there are mats used by people who practice Joga, and these are thin, soft, and reasonably non-permeable by urine. They can be washed in a washing machine and carefully dried in a dryer. We have a lot of these here, as my wife is a Joga practicioner and part-time teacher. I have been tempted to use them on the floor of the box before any newspaper is placed there, but I never have. Perhaps next time I will take some old ones and cut them to fit. Bob-O

Sorry, i was not clear. i have built a nice box. I mean the materials inside the box

I buy 'slightly used' hospital pads. I get them off ebay....they are cotton with the blue backing. They are soft & very absorbant. You can bleach the heck out of them and re-use. Buy about 1/2 dozen to start and see if you like them. But I won't use anything else now during whelp and the first few weeks!

I have a box made out of 2 x 6(s) with a pig rail for protecting the pups that is 5" x 7". That box sits on top of a 5' X 7' rubber horse mat. I use carpet pieces and blankets on top of that, as needed. Stephen