Things You'll Need
- Cardboard box
- Box cutter
- Permanent marker
- Plastic sheeting
- Scissors
- Duct tape
- Sheets
- Towels
- Newspaper
- Garbage bag
Instructions
Assemble a cardboard box and cut off the top half, leaving the floor and walls that are approximately four inches taller than the mother's height while lying down.
Cut down one of the walls to allow the mother to get in and out of the whelping box with ease. Be sure to leave a lip that's at least three to four inches tall, which prevents the puppies from rolling or crawling out of the box.
Place the box atop a piece of plastic sheeting and use a permanent marker to trace the outline onto the plastic.
Cut out the plastic square and tape it inside the bottom of the box with duct tape.
Fold a sheet to size and place it inside the whelping box. Cover the entire floor of the box.
Place three or four layers of towels on the box floor to absorb the fluids. Using layers allows removal of soiled towels as needed, without moving the mother.
Cut or tear newspaper into strips and store the strips in a garbage bag. Place the newspaper in the whelping box when labor is imminent. The mother rearranges the newspaper as she seeks to satisfy her nesting instinct.
Place the whelping box in a quiet and secluded location. The box should be placed in a room that can be closed off to other household pets during and after the delivery.