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A whelping box is basically a square raised platform with side walls and a circular hole cut out to receive the whelping nest. The following links
provide a simple, step-by-step plan for constructing your own whelping box.
Page 1 – Step 1 and Step 2 (Plan view and nest cutout)
Page 2 – Step 3 thru Step 5 (Framing and Insulation)
Page 3 – Step 6 (Temperature Setting)
Page 4 – Step 7 (Monitoring and Testing)
The whelping nest is circular, shallow pan which will help keep newborn pups confined to one location. The pan is 1-1/2 inches deep and
18-inches acress at the bottom. The outside diameter is 22-inches and it is 3-inches deep overall. The heating element and control
electronics are completely sealed in the bottom of the whelping nest.
The temperature is controlled by a removing a plastic, screw-in plug in the lower part of the unit. The control is purposefully in a hard to reach
location because once you set the temperature (it comes preset to 95 degrees) there should be very few reasons to change it. The temperature
setting switch has “clicks”, with a change in 2 degrees per click. Turn the setting clockwise to increase the temperature and counter-clockwise
to decrease the temperature.
The whelping nest comes preset at 95 degrees (F), which is the best temperatures for puppies. If the temperature is too low, then the pups can
get chilled. If the temperature is too high, then the pups can be dehydrated.
The whelping nest can be used for what veterinarians refer to as a “stress pad”, a location which is kept warmer (up to 100 degrees) for recuperating
dogs. Note, however, that these higher temperatures SHOULD NOT be used for pets recovering from surgery and are unable to move. Also, you
may also lower the temperature (to its lowest setting of 90 degrees) for a warming pad or pet bed.
