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A whelping box is where puppies will spend the first 20 days of their life

A whelping box, also known as a nesting box, is where puppies will spend the first 20 days of their life. Designing to protect puppies during birth (whelping), it keeps them safely contained, protects them from the cold, and ensures they aren't crushed by their mother.

A whelping box or whelping bed is a secure zone for your dog to give birth. It is a safe and ideal place for your pregnant dog to give birth. From reusable plastic whelping boxes to cardboard options, there are lots to choose from. You will also need to keep the box warm, so it's advised to choose bedding materials that are soft, warm, have good traction, and are easily cleaned and disinfected. Avoid hay, straw or shavings that can cause eye and skin irritations.

In order to keep your newborn puppies safe, place your whelping box in a room that is isolated from other dogs. You might want to consider closing a door or gate to keep other inquisitive pups away. Alternatively, an ex-pen around the whelping box will provide an extra layer of safety.

Take a look at some of the best whelping boxes to buy now...

This practical play pen comes complete with a wooden whelping box to protect young puppies after birth. The whelping insert can also be easily dismantled, making the box great for their next stage of life. It might come in at just under £100, but it can be used as pups get older, too.

Made from strong durable corrugated cardboard, this whelping box comes with a set of three wooden puppy rails to help stop the puppies from being squashed by their mother. Simply pop the whelping box in the recycling when finished to avoid any cross contamination.

This reusable whelping box has been made from one piece of flexible yet strong plastic. It also comes with coated wooden puppy rails to stop the young pups being squashed by their mother.

Looking for a large whelping box? Complete with water-resistant cardboard liner, this whelping box from Amazon comes in three different sizes and stops cross-contamination between litters.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, this extra large whelping box has a removable coated plastic flooring, a cage door for keeping puppies secure, and is easy to clean after each litter is born.

Hand-built in the UK by Animal Welfare Enthusiasts, this wooden whelping box has fully adjustable horizontal and vertical safety bars. Choose from three sizes to find the right one for your breed.

Designed alongside some of the UK's top dog breeders, this plastic whelping box enables dog to have a safe and comfortable environment during and after birth. It might be more of an investment, but it also comes with an added puppy playpen to let the new dogs grow and play safely.