How to Keep a Whelping Box Clean

A whelping box (sometimes called a nesting box or whelping pen) is a container designed to keep puppies safe and warm during (and soon after) birth. It is crucial for the health of your puppies, however, to keep the whelping box clean and free from bacteria. By gathering a few supplies, following a cleaning schedule, and making safety a priority, you can keep your whelping box clean and cozy, so that your puppies can thrive.

How do you maintain a clean whelping box for your puppies?

Gather supplies like vinyl flooring (if necessary), chemical-free disinfectant cleaner, laundry detergent, paper towels, clean bath towels, and a cardboard or plastic container.
Clean the whelping box daily for the first week, clean twice a day for the next 2-3 weeks, and look out for excessive dampness and solid waste ahead of your scheduled cleaning times.
When you clean your box, remove everything from the box, spray with a chemical-free disinfectant cleaner, and place clean towels back in the box.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Gathering Supplies

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If you have built your own whelping box, you may have used wood or cardboard for the bottom. These materials are not easy to keep clean. As such, it is a good idea to line the bottom of your box with vinyl flooring. This can be purchased at any home improvement store, and is self-adhesive. If you are using a commercially-made whelping box, or if you have constructed a box out of plastic, this is not necessary.^{[1]XResearch source}
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Avoid chemical products. Pups (just like baby humans) are especially sensitive to household chemicals. To clean a whelping box, you are going to need a chemical-free, disinfectant cleanser. A great option is called “Simple Green,” and it can be purchased at most grocery stores. You will also need a “free and clear” laundry detergent to use on the towels for your whelping box. A good choice is "Seventh Generation Free and Clear."
- You can use bleach if it's diluted to the right amount, but it's better to go the extra mile and use a product that's labeled as safe for dogs.^{[2]XExpert SourceTom Robertson
  Dog Breeding SpecialistExpert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
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In addition to a disinfectant cleaner and laundry detergent, you will need a few other things. Gather some paper towels, clean bath towels (that have been washed using non-chemical detergent), and a cardboard or plastic container to hold the puppies while you clean their whelping box.^{[3]XResearch source}

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Following a Cleaning Schedule

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When the pups are first born, they will not produce a lot of waste, and what they do produce will be cleaned by the mother. At this point, you only need to clean the whelping box once per day. This helps to keep the space free of bacteria and keep your pups healthy.^{[4]XResearch source}
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Clean it twice a day for the next 2-3 weeks. After the first week, the puppies will begin producing more waste.^{[5]XExpert SourceTom Robertson
Dog Breeding SpecialistExpert Interview. 5 April 2022.} At this point, it becomes important to clean the box twice a day. In addition to keeping the whelping box bacteria-free, this helps to instill the understanding that puppies should not go potty where they sleep. This will help with crate training and housebreaking later on.^{[6]XResearch source}
- After this time, the puppies will be transitioned out of the whelping box and into a larger space.
Beyond your daily cleaning schedule, you should regularly check the whelping box for excessive dampness and solid waste.^{[7]XExpert SourceTom Robertson
Dog Breeding SpecialistExpert Interview. 5 April 2022.} Even if you have already conducted your daily cleaning, you should remove and replace damp or dirty towels whenever it is needed.^{[8]XResearch source}

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Making Safety a Priority

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To clean you whelping box, begin by removing the puppies. Place them in a cardboard box or large plastic container nearby. If the mother is in the whelping box at that time, help her to exit as well.^{[9]XResearch source}
Next, you will lift up any towels and bedding and place them directly into your washing machine. Remember to use “free and clear” detergent to keep your puppies healthy.^{[10]XResearch source}
Spray a bit of chemical-free disinfectant cleanser on the bottom and sides of your whelping box, and use a paper towel to wipe this up. If there are any particularly dirty areas, you may want to go over them more than once.^{[11]XResearch source}
Take some clean bath towels (that have been washed with chemical-free detergent) and place them in the bottom of your whelping box. You can now return the puppies to their box.^{[12]XResearch source}

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My dog sleeps in our bedroom at night and sits downstairs with us during the day. She is due to have a c-section. Once she and pups are home, should I have the whelping box upstairs or downstairs?
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Upstairs would provide a calm, comfortable, quiet environment for her, as long as the noise of the puppies doesn't bother you while you're trying to sleep.
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