As any experienced breeder knows, preparing for the arrival of a new litter is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Whether you’re awaiting puppies or kittens, proper preparation can make the difference between a smooth delivery and a stressful emergency. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about preparing for whelping or kittening.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Timeline
The journey begins long before the actual birth. For dogs, pregnancy typically lasts 63 days from ovulation, while cats usually give birth around 65-67 days after conception. However, these are just averages, and it’s crucial to track your pet’s pregnancy carefully.
Signs that labor is approaching include:
- A drop in body temperature (in dogs, below 100°F indicates labor within 24 hours)
- Restlessness and nesting behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Milk production beginning
- Changes in behavior, such as increased affection or isolation
Setting Up the Perfect Whelping Space
Your whelping area should be:
- Quiet and draft-free
- Away from household traffic
- Temperature-controlled (72-78°F)
- Easy to clean and sanitize
- Large enough for mother and babies, but cozy enough to feel secure
The ideal whelping box should have:
- Low entrance for mother
- Guardrails to prevent puppies/kittens from being crushed
- Washable, non-slip flooring
- Adequate ventilation
- Raised edges to contain newborns
Essential Whelping Kit Components
A well-stocked whelping kit is your best friend during delivery. Here’s what you need:
Your whelping kit should contain:
Medical Supplies
- Clean towels (lots of them!)
- Sterile scissors for cutting umbilical cords
- Sterile hemostats or clamps
- Iodine for umbilical cord care
- Digital thermometer
- Disposable gloves
- Lubricating jelly
- Bulb syringe for clearing airways
- Emergency supplies prescribed by your vet
Comfort and Care Items
- Heat lamp or warming pad
- Clean bedding materials
- Puppy/kitten identification collars
- Scale for weighing newborns
- Notebook for recording weights and observations
- Clean newspaper or disposable pads
- Dental floss (for tying off umbilical cords if needed)
Emergency Items
- Veterinarian’s emergency contact information
- Calcium supplement
- Hot water bottle
- Transportation plan to emergency vet
- List of normal vital signs for reference
Preparing the Mother
The weeks leading up to birth are crucial for the mother’s health. Focus on:
Nutrition
- High-quality pregnancy-specific food
- Multiple small meals daily
- Fresh water always available
- Supplements as recommended by your vet
Exercise and Activity
- Moderate exercise until late pregnancy
- Reduced activity in final week
- Regular bathroom breaks
- Gentle grooming sessions
Understanding and Monitoring Labor Stages
Stage One: Early Labor
Stage one can last 6-12 hours for dogs and 12-24 hours for cats. Watch for:
- Restlessness and pacing
- Refusing food
- Frequent urination
- Nesting behavior
- Shivering or panting
- Clear vaginal discharge
During this stage, avoid hovering over the mother. Check on her periodically but give her space to follow her natural instincts.
Stage Two: Active Labor
This is when the real work begins. Each puppy or kitten typically arrives:
- 20-60 minutes apart for dogs
- 10-60 minutes apart for cats
Normal delivery signs include:
- Strong abdominal contractions
- Visible straining
- Small amount of blood-tinged fluid
- Appearance of the water sac
Stage Three: Delivery of Placenta
- Occurs after each puppy/kitten
- Should happen within 15 minutes of birth
- Keep count to ensure all placentas are delivered
Warning Signs to Watch For
Know when to call your vet immediately:
- Strong contractions for over 30 minutes without producing a puppy/kitten
- More than 2 hours between deliveries while more babies are expected
- Green or black discharge before first puppy/kitten
- Excessive bleeding
- Mother showing signs of extreme distress
- Temperature rising above 103°F during labor
Immediate Post-Birth Care
For Each Newborn
- Clear airways immediately if needed
- Dry them thoroughly with clean towels
- Tie off and cut umbilical cord if mother hasn’t
- Check for cleft palates or other obvious issues
- Ensure they’re breathing properly
- Place them near mother for warmth and nursing
- Record birth time, weight, and identifying features
Supporting the Mother
- Offer water with electrolytes between deliveries
- Provide small amounts of high-energy food if interested
- Clean bedding as needed during process
- Monitor for continued contractions
- Keep the area quiet and calm
The First 24 Hours
Critical Monitoring Period
- Check each puppy/kitten is nursing successfully
- Monitor temperature of the whelping area
- Ensure mother is passing lochia (post-birth discharge) normally
- Watch for signs of eclampsia or other complications
- Record all newborns’ weights every 12 hours
Normal vs. Abnormal Signs
Normal:
- Puppies/kittens sleeping in a pile
- Regular nursing every 2-3 hours
- Mother cleaning babies frequently
- Quiet contentment from all
- Steady weight gain
Abnormal:
- Constant crying
- Rejection of puppies/kittens by mother
- Lack of nursing
- Weight loss
- Lethargy or weakness
- Mother showing aggression
Ongoing Care and Record-Keeping
Daily Management
The first week after birth is crucial for both mother and offspring. During this critical period, establish a routine of weighing the puppies or kittens twice daily to ensure they’re gaining weight appropriately.
Maintaining detailed feeding records will help you track their nutrition and development. It’s essential to monitor the mother’s temperature for the first five days post-whelping to catch any signs of infection early.
The whelping area requires frequent cleaning to maintain proper hygiene, while maintaining optimal room temperature is vital for the newborns’ health. Following your veterinarian’s guidance, begin the recommended deworming protocol to protect the litter from common parasites.
Documentation Essentials
Proper documentation is the cornerstone of responsible breeding practices. Create a comprehensive log that chronicles every aspect of your litter’s development. Start by recording the birth order and time of each arrival, along with their initial weights and any distinguishing marks or colors that help identify individual puppies or kittens.
Track daily weight gains to ensure proper development, and maintain detailed nursing schedules to confirm each newborn is getting adequate nutrition. Document any concerns or unusual behaviors you observe, and keep precise records of medications or treatments administered. This detailed documentation not only helps you monitor the current litter but provides valuable reference material for future breeding endeavors.
Environmental Maintenance
Temperature control is paramount for newborn survival, as they cannot regulate their own body temperature effectively. The whelping area should be maintained at 85-90°F during the first week, with temperature being gradually reduced by 5°F each subsequent week.
Carefully observe the litter for signs of overheating or chilling, adjusting the temperature accordingly to ensure their comfort and safety.
Maintaining strict hygiene protocols is equally important for the health of both mother and offspring. Change bedding at least twice daily to keep the whelping area clean and comfortable.
Perform a thorough sanitization of the whelping box weekly, and maintain a separate set of cleaning supplies dedicated solely to the whelping area. Practice proper hand hygiene by washing thoroughly before handling any of the puppies or kittens, and remain vigilant for any signs of infection that might require immediate veterinary attention.
Long-term Planning
Looking ahead to the future development of your litter, create a comprehensive timeline that includes scheduling their first veterinary check-up and planning their vaccination schedule.
Begin preparing for the weaning process well in advance, and start considering potential homes or buyers for the puppies or kittens. Throughout their development, maintain detailed records of important milestones to share with future owners and use as reference for subsequent litters.
Building Your Experience
Success in breeding comes from continuous learning and preparation. Maintain detailed notes about your experiences and observations for future reference, and actively participate in breeding communities where you can share knowledge and receive support from experienced breeders.
Invest in your education by attending workshops and seminars focused on breeding and animal care. Develop a strong relationship with an experienced mentor who can provide guidance and support when needed.
Finally, establish and maintain an emergency fund to ensure you’re prepared for any unexpected complications that might arise during the breeding process. This combination of preparation, education, and support will help you become a more confident and successful breeder.
Conclusion
Successful whelping or kittening requires careful preparation, attention to detail, and quick recognition of potential problems. While this guide covers the essentials, remember that each birth is unique. Having your whelping kit ready and maintaining close contact with your veterinarian will help ensure the best possible outcome for mother and babies.
Remember: When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian. It’s better to make an unnecessary call than to miss a critical situation. With proper preparation and knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to handle this exciting and rewarding experience.
