If you’ve decided to become a dog breeder, you’ll need to make sure you have all of the supplies need for your whelping bitch. Having the right equipment ensures that your breeding will go along smoothly, and your dogs will be happy and healthy. First, before you go any further with your breeding plans, you should make sure that your dog has been verified to be healthy enough to breed, and that she meets all of the requirements. You should also make sure that you consult with your vet before you begin.
Nutrition
Your bitch’s health is very important during this time, and you need to make sure that you’re taking care to feed your dog the right foods. The American Kennel Club (AKC) provides clear guidelines on recommend nutrition for bitches for all stages of breeding. You should look over the recommendations and talk to your vet to ensure you’re meeting all of your’s dog nutritional needs. As birthing and raising healthy puppies takes a high level of energy for your bitch, it’s up to you to make sure her body can handle the task.
The Whelping Box
The whelping box will keep the puppies safe from roaming too far and also let you keep a ood eye on them. You will need a good, roomy whelping box and you can either buy or make a whelping box. Vendors who sell whelping boxes can be found at pet stores or Ebay, or can make one using instructions easily available online. Some breeders have shared their own whelping plans on YouTube.
The whelping box needs to be constructed so that you can easily reach inside to tend to the puppies. It needs to be roomy enough for a big litter of puppies and your bitch, plus have a space such as a shelt or a low area where the puppies can dash if needed to get out of the way of their mother.
Be prepared to clean the whelping box well, and you may want to use newspaper to line it before the bitch gives birth. Once the birth has occured, you can use something that’s softer and more pleasant for the puppies. The newspaper replacements can include soft bath mats, non-skid rubber mats, and the like.
You’ll also need to have the following on hand for the whelping: towels (clean), thermometer, dental floss (unwaxed) for the umbilical cords, and other similar cleaning supplies. You’ll also want to invest in a heating pad to keep puppies warm and comfortable do take care that it doesn’t get too hot or catches fire.
Lastly, you need to make sure you have plenty of room for the puppies and their mother(s). They will need room to roam and explore the world when they’re at the right age, and you’l need to provide a space for them to do this safely. You may want to invest in a dog run if you’re going to breed more than one time. You should put a baby monitor or webcam on the puppies so you can monitor their activity and health throughout the day.
Good luck on your first litter! Be sure you call your to inspect the puppies and make sure they’re healthy.