How to Build a Dog Bed for Pregnancy

A pregnant dog will start looking for a space to make her ̶0;whelping̶1; or birthing nest about a week before she's due to deliver. By that time, you should have a whelping bed ready. Provided that it fulfills the requirements for puppy delivery, your dog will happily settle into it and be comfortable by the time the big day arrives. The ideal whelping bed takes the form of a box with sides to prevent the puppies from wandering about and getting injured and to contain the messes in one easy-to-clean space.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 4 sections of 2-inch wide by 12-inch high untreated timber, cut to length
  • Plywood section, cut to size
  • 4-inch nails
  • 2-inch nails
  • 2 sheets builder's plastic, cut to size
  • Old newspapers
  • 3-inch thick foam rubber, cut to size
  • Old sheet or towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find the perfect spot for the bed to make sure that you don̵7;t build a bed too large for the space intended for it. Let the dog guide you in your choice by observing her to see whether she prefers enclosed spaces or open ones. If your dog usually sleeps in your bedroom with you, chances are that she will want to have her puppies there, too.

    • 2

      Measure the area you choose and determine whether the dog will be comfortable in a bed that conforms to the available space. The bed should be wide enough for the dog to lie down flat on her side for breast-feeding without obstruction and long enough to accommodate the number of puppies the breed usually produces, until they're around 5 weeks old. To calculate the length, multiply the width by 1.5; therefore, if the bed is 3 feet wide, it should be 4 1/2 feet long.

    • 3

      Build a rectangular box frame using four pieces of untreated timber cut to length, 2 inches wide by 12 inches high fastened with 4-inch nails. This will make sides that are high enough to accommodate the bedding and prevent the puppies from climbing out while very young and support their weight as they get bigger. If your pregnant dog is a Chihuahua or another tiny breed, you may only need sides of 6 or 8 inches high.

    • 4

      Attach a base to the box made from plywood cut to size, using 2-inch nails driven into the wooden sides. Line the base with a sheet of builder̵7;s plastic big enough to prop up against the sides of the box to help prevent fluids reaching the plywood and causing it to swell. Spread a thick layer of newspaper on top of the plastic to absorb fluids.

    • 5

      Make an absorbent, washable mattress for the box using a section of 3-inch thick foam rubber cut to size. Cover it with an old sheet or towel. The mattress can be taken out of the bed and washed in a tub or hosed down outdoors and the sheet or towel can be washed in the washer.

    • 6

      Place the bed in the spot you have chosen, whether this is in a quiet cupboard in the house, in your garage or shed or in your bedroom. If you plan to keep the bed indoors on carpeted floors, a sheet of builder̵7;s plastic under the box will help protect the carpet.