Having decided to use a heat pad for my expected litter (in the past I have always just kept central heating on day and night for approx first four weeks) I am unsure as to whether I still need to keep the heating on over night (but on a lower setting than I have previously) or will the heat pad be sufficient to keep the newborns warm ? Any advice appreciated, thanks.

I use a Heat pad, and also have the heating on 24/7 in the whelping room, depending on the weather-etc.

For my Papillons I keep heating on at night (if in cold weather) and heated pad too for the first 3 weeks, as they are such small pups.

I use the heat pad and keep my heating on all night. I just turn the other radiators down in the rest of the house so we can sleep without it being too hot.

Thanks for the replies. Have never had a problem keeping puppies warm with the central heating on day and night, but decided to try out a heat pad especially as it is spring and (hopefully) the temperatures will creep up a bit. If it is warm enough I will be able to use the heat pad without the central heating on full blast.

Same as Gemini - heating on 24/7 (and me in a T-shirt where I'm too hot!)

Underbed heating most definitely for the first 21 days of life, when their thermostats don't work!

Some litters, and in particular winter babies, I leave the heatpad on for longer.

I've just switched the heatpad off for my latest puppies -at 7 weeks of age! I think they miss it though as they instantly started to refuse sleeping in their bed and now always cuddle up with my old Cavalier in his bed!

Heat pad and heating...radiators turned down in other rooms overnight..

Heating and heatpad - but I turned the heatpad off because they wouldn't lay on it......

Heatpad and heating on 24/7, we left the heatpad on till they were about 6 weeks this time, as they were born in January with overnight temps down to minus 20 most nights, our snow only went last week!

Well my newborns seem to love the heat pad :-)  Although Mum is not so keen. I have postioned it of course so that she can lie off it, but not easy as they are always close to her.

Heating 24/7 for the 1st few weeks, never had to use a heatpad.

Hi yes that is what I have always done in the past but decided to buy a heat pad this time. I have found that when the central heating is on and the heat pad, it is just too much for my bitch. It is very mild here today so have switched heating off and just got the pad on, so far so good, pups are contented and warm and Mum is a lot more comfortable... will see how it goes.