I am going to use a heating pad rather than a lamp, could i have some suggestions on which type to buy. It is for a toy breed!

I have had both the metal topped one (with the blue plastic cardboard the other side) that is rigid and about 1/2 inch thick, and the green flexible vinyl one (the seams kept opening on that), but by far the best is a vivarium heating mat as it is a stiff flat plastic sheet, have just bought one, as had used one years ago for one of my first litters borrowed from a friend.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/dog-bed-kennel-crate-Whelping-Box-OUTDOOR-HEAT-PAD-RED_W0QQitemZ260455827459QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Cats?hash=item3ca4608803

this is what i have fantastic for toy breeds,  ;)

Is this rigid/flexible, flat/thick?

this is flexible with a soft  cover for easy washing i found it great and you can get spare covers too :)

I am now thinking about heat lamps, which would be better (small breed) ?? The whelping box is going in our room by the heating

after using a heat lamp for 3litters im not using again ! its not to bad with large breed litters (i have) but pups still got way to hot and ended up constipated , my mum-in-law used mine for her small breed and it was a nightmare!!!! smaller whelping box so it was harder to only heat 1 half and mum was too hot even tho the lamp was very high up plus she had her heating on and it was enough ,so this time im useing heat pad only ,pups will be in my livingroom and my heating will be on ,if it was me id just use heat pad! x

Same as white lilly.

I wasted money on an expensive overhead, and it was used once.

I have a toy breed, and used the blue flexible one until it got chewed.  Then got the metal one off ebay.  Love it!  Easy to wipe over with Virkon and put away for next time.  It's the right size for mine, as it only takes up half the size of my vetbed, so mum can move to a cooler temp if she wants.  Totally unchewable!

i use snuggles heat pads for aniamls you just pop them them in the mircowave the heat will last up to 12 hours pet at home sales with covers
if there no cover use a hot water bottle cover to cover them.i find the pppy do snuggle up to them
we use it in our beds when it gets cold instead of a hot water or elc blanket

briedog you have large breed? how many do u use in whelping box ? x

two for both frc and swd,but got 5 here incase

thanks x

Hi Briedog, i have two snuggles pads, have been using them to keep my girls warm on cold nights. How many should i use for a small breed?

i cannot say it all depends on the temp in the house as well,
i didnt have to use them on the last litter from sep 4th  to oct30 beacuse the weather was warm and the puppy were indoors,
plus you dont want to over heat the whelp box area beacuse of the bitch she will get over heat heated to i remmber on my  1 first litter 10 year ago in dec it was snowing wispa had 10 pupp the heating was up high heat pad  hot water bottle .she just would settal down for 4 days,then the vet said she was over heated,
remmber in the wild foxs will snuggle up to their mum to keep warm..

we took one to bed our self last night as it was getting cold.

Hi briedog, Thanks for your help, i am going to stick to what i have, i was going to buy another snuggle pad or heat pad but i think with heating on and two pads i have should be okay. I will have mum in our room till 3/4 weeks.

Lois

ive just checked my heat pad and its not working (cry)....ive got 2 snuggle pads ,do i put them under vet bed or ontop of it ?

Depends what bedding, if you have thick vet bedding, on top might be best if you are using fleece try putting it under and see how hot it is.

Any news?

no :( shes driving me mad lol ,shes just tucking into here food now lol ,thanks x