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Whelping 101: The Dos and Don'ts

The time has come! Your beloved momma dog is ready to give birth to her puppies. So what can you do to help a whelping dog? This article will provide all the essential do’s and don’ts for the whelping process, a suggested supplies list, and some top tips for a stress-free birth. You’ve got this!

But first off, what does the term “whelping” actually mean? No, it’s not a meme-worthy look of resignation (that’s ‘welp’). The true whelping definition is the official name for the birthing of puppies to canine mammals, such as wolves, bears... and your dog too!

The whelping of puppies is a natural process that most dog owners are understandably both excited and nervous about. It's an incredibly special time for you, your family, and your dog. This guide will provide you with all the information you need on how to care for your pregnant dog during her whelping process, and welcome those little pups into the world in style. So let’s begin by saying…

Don’t Get Caught Out…

You know in the movies where the family is always in the worst possible place for the mother’s waters to break? And they drive to the hospital screaming? Yeah, you don’t want that.

Instead, make sure you’ve got your supplies ready in advance:

Whelping Box – You can find specially made whelping boxes online, or you can even build your own from a large cardboard box. Many owners ask if they can use a dog crate as a whelping box - the answer is yes, if your dog is already crate trained. This way, they may find security in using this as their whelping box too. Make sure your box or crate is in a quiet space, that’s warm and large enough for movement and lots of little puppies!
Bedding & Lining - You’ll want to line the box with clean absorbent bedding or makeshift whelping pads. This is where a Reusable Pad comes in really handy, as its super fluffy exterior helps make a cozy den, but its powers of super absorption mean you can contain any excess mess. Plus, you can wash them and dry them as often as you need; the ideal way to keep a whelping box clean for mum and pups.
Heat Lamps & Cooling Fans – Newborn puppies struggle to regulate their body temperature. So if you’re in the dead of winter or the height of summer, it’s a wise idea to invest in some portable heaters or air conditioning for them.
Lamps Or Lights - Trying to help your dog at 3 am in the pitch black is never ideal! So keep a lamp or flashlight close to your whelping box.
Antibacterial Hand Wipes – To help keep you and the area clean and hygienic.
Vet Details - Have your veterinary clinic phone number on standby, speed dial, or both. Remember you’ll need the daytime and out-of-hours telephone numbers, in case you need any help or advice at peculiar times.

Do Know The Signs...

Pregnancy in dogs usually lasts around 63 days, so you’ll already have a due date in mind, but this can vary just like us humans. Instead, it’s usually more accurate to follow the clues.

Common signs that a dog is ready to give birth include:

Restlessness or pacing
Hiding away and nesting behaviors like digging
A loss of appetite or vomiting (contact your vet if this concerns you)
Passing a small amount of red/brown mucus

This preparation stage and these behaviors can often last between 12-36 hours before the birth.

Some owners use temperature as a gauge. If the momma’s temperature drops to 98-99 degrees, you can get ready for puppies within around 24 hours.

Once strong contractions and straining begin, your puppies are definitely on their way!

Do Keep Watch…

Whelping is a natural process, and it’s important not to intervene unless there seems to be something wrong that needs assistance from a vet.

As a general rule, the first puppy often takes the longest time to emerge. This first birth can take anywhere between 20 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the strength of your dog’s contractions. There should then be a little gap between each little furball after that, usually between 30 and 90 minutes each.

After each puppy, your dog should help release them from their little birth sacs so they can breathe, and she will pass an afterbirth or some fluids, which she may well eat. Don’t worry about this - it’s providing momma with lots of nutrients for her pups.

Pregnant dog sitting on a fluffy blanket

However, things to look out for include:

Your dog is straining excessively for over 30 minutes, with no sign of pups.

Ideally, mom shouldn’t eat more than 3 placentas, as this may upset her stomach.

If not all placentas are passed, it’s possible for an infection to develop.

Between each puppy, your dog should seem comfortable, settled, and be licking her newborns. If she seems overly distressed or exhausted then something may be wrong.

A lot of blood isn’t usually seen at dog births, so excessive amounts will warrant concern.

If a puppy seems stuck, do not attempt to pull it out, instead seek advice from your vet. Thick green discharge, without a puppy present, is also cause for concern.

If you see any of the above, it’s worth contacting your vet as soon as you can.

Otherwise, all you need to do is make sure that your mother is comfortable and knows she is safe. A little stroke of encouragement always helps!

Do Offer A Helping Hand...

Sometimes, it’s useful to help with clearing airways. Some owners like to use disposable gloves and a soft disposable cloth to quickly dry each puppy, make sure they are breathing, then let their dog do the rest.

Don’t Worry Excessively…

As is often the case, your dog may well deliver her pups in the dead of night without any assistance. Whelping puppies is a natural process and most dog mums are perfectly capable of handling the entire whelping process on their own. But it doesn’t hurt to check on your dog in the night if you can and to be prepared with all of your whelping supplies well in advance.