I am preparing my whelping box for my bitch, i have a pvc box, heat pad, etc but wondered about vet bed. Is it only the original vet bed that is recommended and what do you line the bottom of the bed with to keep it washable?

We used paper at the bottom and added the vetbed afterwards when things were over. Things can get quite messy and Daisy only had one on her own. We went to a local fish and chip shop and bought a pack of paper of them she is a white dog and we did not want her full of balck print. It is handy as well for training the pup on.

I use vet bed on its own.  My whelping box allows the sides to clamp down over the base and vetbed, holding it in place so any diging and nesting leaves it undisturbed.  The vet bed allows all the wetness through to the backing and keeps the surface relatively dry throughtout the whole process.  I buy a couple of new pieces when each litter is expected, so use an older, laundered piece during the whleping, and then pick it up, disinfect the base, and put a brand new fluffy one in place!  I find the newspaper method much messier, and worry about pups getting wound up in the shredded paper if you take your eyes away for a second, to reach for a towel etc.  I don't stick religiously to just the "vet bed" brand, but buy at shows or online when needed, as long as it is white and fluffy!  Some are slightly thicker than others, but with my small breeds I sometimes find this a hinderance rather than a help, as not too much for it to absorb, and the thicker ones take a bit longer to dry after washings

I use vet bed after all pups are born but during whelping i use old towels, news paper and i buy incontinence pads via the internet (better than puppy training pads as bigger and cheaper). I normally buy quite a few packs at a time as they are good for lining the box under the vet bed and also puppy training - they dont smell like newspaper either!

I dont stick to original vet bed just buy a big amount and cut up, i've found it all washes and tumble dries ok.

I have been more than happy with Profleece, and have a good supply, so it can be changed as often as needed.  I have small toy breeds, so it doesn't get as piddly as breeds that have large litters.  I love the way it dries so fast, even when dried indoors.

thanks for all the comments, i ordered profleece and i have some of the pads you mentioned as i use them as peepads for my dogs anyway.

Hi,
Gwen, Where did you get your whelping box from? Jackie

HiJackie,

I made them, very simple to do with stuff from B&Q.  I coudl not find one that would clamp the vet bed down, which I consider extremely important, so designed one and got brother in law to make it up, abut 15 years ago.  I then evolved the idea and imporved on it to make the  mk2!  Then about 3 years ago made mk3, which I am using at the moment.  IF you like I can post the details - it requires minimal DIY skills, just drilling holes, and using a junior hacksaw to cut some plastic channel and pipe.  It is able to be dismantled and stored flat in just a few mins.  The only limitations on size is how big you can get the MDF melamine faced sheets form B&Q.