Just wondered - do any of you use a rule of thumb re whelping boxes ? i.e 1 1/2 times length of bitch ? do you keep you pups in there throughout - so making the box bigger rather than smaller - or do you just use it for the first few weeks ?

ive always used 1 1/2 but found it ok this time ive got 1 very big 1 has she looks massive but at 4-5 weeks they go in kitchen in the day in puppy pen and out side but go in whelping box at night so that why mine is very big this time :) xx

We were planning on having 5x5 ft - (bitch is just under 4 ft long) but only using this for the first few weeks until they are starting to wean - and then to move them into a bigger pen

shouldnt have any problem with that size :) xx

what do you guys have at the bottom of yours ? solid ? or not ?

i dont have a floor on mine their room is tiled xx

Thanks for your advice x

we are thinking of putting a tarp on the floor - then a lino base ( easy to clean) - do you use news paper / shredded paper / saw dust ?

Shredded paper.

Newspaper with Vetbed on top.

same as westcost xx

I have a cow mat for the base of my whelping box - easy to clean, warm to the touch. Not the first thing to spring to mind I guess!!

I used lots of paper (my bitch scraped it up and shredded to make a nice nest) and big towel whilst whelping, then swopped over for vet bed.

Wow - Ive never heard of a cow matt  - excuse my ignorance - what are they ?

They're mats for cows! No I'm not being facetious, honestly.

They're about 4' x 6' and about 1" thick:  http://www.mayomats.com/index2.htm

They can be power washed, disinfected, they're warm to the touch, but cool in summer, and they're quite cushioning so make excellent crate mats, oh and they're non slip too, I thought a perfect base for whelping. One mat did my whelping box and a crate mat. They can be bought from agricultural supplies. They aren't cheap, I think £35 but it was what I wanted so that's what I got!

I have a 1" thick piece of very firm foam and I made a slip cover for it from thick rubberised material (like the stuff used as incontinence sheets) and then vetbed on top. Its so easy to keep clean as I slip the foam out of the cover and put a fresh one on and then the soiled cover goes in the washing machine.

Thanks guys - I have been 'temp' controlling my room for the last few weeks and have found that although its 20+ in the room - the floor ( where the whelping box will be ) is always  as you would understand cos heat rises ) a few degree's lower - do you account for this by putting the room temp up?

Trialist - are these available int he UK ? it looks like an American site - but WOW! they look perfect! I want some!

Doh - sorry - just re read your post!

Hi, yes available in UK. You might need to hunt around a bit with agricultural stockists. Mayo cow mats are the best ones. You can get stable mats too, they look similar but they are not the same thing at all. The cow mats are designed for winter housing so whilst they feel hardish, they are good to lie on. A friend of mine has them in all her dogs kennels, and they're especially good for older dogs who need comfortable bedding for their older bones but who do not like any fabric bedding!

As said, they're not everyone's first choice, but I had enough in 1 mat for the base of my whelping box (I think that was 1.2m x 1.0m) and for a mat to go in the base of a downstairs cage in my van. But it's what I really wanted. You do need to have a flat wall to store it against when not in use, they're not heavy but they don't fold at all.

Whilst box was being used a quick clean with a cloth was easy, or I could take out and stick in the bath to clean off with shower spray. The pups could move around on it very nicely with no slipping. Not cold to to the touch, but also wasn't hot to lie on for Mum  during the very hot period of June/July when the pups were very young.

I've just re-looked on Google, this is the site I meant to post (not the one I did): http://www.cowcomfort.co.uk/
They're based in Lancashire but would probably be able to give you stockists close to you.

Sounds perfect - I'm trying to find a stockist in the Kent area.Are they OK to take the heat of the heat pad ontop etc?

Ooops, you're quick off the mark. I've just edited my post with the link I meant to put on, you'll see the suggestion.

Yes, they're absolutely fine for a heat lamp or a heat pad, whatever you want to put on it really. The only downside is they come in black or black!

Thanks so much for the info on these.  I've been keeping my eyes open for something different to use.  We did ok with a tarp last time, but the cow mat sounds absolutely ideal.  I've sent them an email.

Thanks!

Bear in mind ... we're talking an agricultural based business here (the 'business' bit should win through, but ...) ring if you don't get an e-mail back :-)

The other thing to bear in mind is that the length is standard at 6' but the width they do say on the site is between 44" and 48" ... if the 48" is important (it was for me) then do tell them if you order. I actually bought mind bundled in with a purchase a farmer friend made. She'd ordered 6, out of the 6 there was only the one that reached the full 48", but anyone you order from should be willing to look through to ensure you get that width, if it's important.

PS - thanks for your replies on my other posts :-)

They were great - I had a reply first thing this morning with all the information I needed so I'll be in touch closer to the time either with them or with the more local business they said they market through down my way.  Thanks for the heads up about the 44-48.  I wasn't quite sure what that meant, so I'll have a proper measure of my puppy crate and see if I need the full 48 before I order.

They've said they have a 24mm thick one and a 20mm thick one and that the 20mm thick one should be suitable for what I'm wanting (and it's £10 cheaper) so I'll likely go with that when the time comes.

For anyone who's interested they said the 24mm 6x4 ft one was £52 including VAT and the 20mm 6x4 one was £41 including VAT.  So not cheap, but for the use I imagine you can get out of it certainly not expensive either.  Shipping of course would add on to that if you can't find a nearby supplier though.

That's sounds great, they're obviously really clued up then. I haven't used the 20mm thick mat, before ordering though, just double check that it IS the same thing but thinner. The thickness I wouldn't have a problem with but I'd want the same as what I've got ... not something that is a lot harder for bitch to lie on. The 24mm has got a softly rippled (feels nice to the touch) non-slip surface and there's a lot of cushioning there, though you wouldn't particularly notice it to just touch it. Hopefully you'll find somewhere locally that you'll be able to look at the two items.

Well, I'm dead chuffed I've got someone else about thinking of a cow mat for a whelping box base! My breeder friend/mentor uses them (but she has them on the farm too) and we're both completely sold on them :-D  They also make excellent crate bases, particularly if you've got dogs who don't like bedding but you want to give them some comfort and insulation. Good luck with it.

The 'not wanting bedding' thing isn't an issue for mine - they have very little body fat and it's more an issue of no amount of bedding is enough for the spoiled little dogs LOL.

The company they deal through for my area have a shop about 1/2 hour away, so when it gets closer to the time I may ring and see if they have any in stock that I can go have a peek at.

I'd been looking at something similar (I can't remember now what it was) that I saw on ebay, but this seems even sturdier.  It's all filed in my 'breeding' file to pull out in a couple of months and then start buying.  Will probably wait until I know she's pregnant before I shell out on it though (and she's not due in season till May/June). 

If we do go for it I'll let you know how we get on.  I'm of the type that if I find something that works I'm happy to tell all :)  Like I know people find it odd, but I use a 3 ring swimming pool for a whelping box.  Got the idea from some friends and several of us in the breed use them.  So now I tell everyone.

Hi Trialist

I've come across these on ebay - I actually saw them before you mentioned the cow mats.  I'm wondering if you think they're the same thing - or if not exactly the same if you think they're similar enough http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110412417581&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2165wt_698.

thanks again for all the info.

edit to add:  just had another look at the cow mats site -  the ebay ones are around a cm thick rather than the mayo ones which are an inch thick.  But besides that it looks pretty similar if I'm just planning on using it for the bottom of our puppy pen/whelping pen.

Hello WendyJ

Well, I've had a look and can't really see that there's going to be much difference, apart from the thickness. You don't need 1" thickness for dogs, what you would be getting is a nicely cushioned (but not squidgy) base that was warm to the touch. I'd certainly be willing to give it a try at this price. The only thing I'd say is to look into the reason why the seller hasn't got a 100% rating. I tend to only buy on e-Bay from 100% ratings. But it only takes one idiot buyer to wreck a seller's status!

Have you seen: 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-19MM-EVA-COW-WEIGHT-GYM-FLOOR-MAT-6FTX4FT-24-SQ-FT-/250652296114?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a5c0a83b2

So pleased I've got someone thinking along the cow mat route!! I think they're just brilliant.

I always check out feedback.  I don't worry too much as long as it's over 95% (on sellers with several thousand feedback) depending on what the comments are.  A lot of the comments on this one are for those using it for gym stuff saying it's not good enough for the weights.  That's not a concern for me, nor is delivery timing.

However I've followed your link - better seller and looks like a good product so I've put that on my watchlist.  Thanks so much.  I'm definitely sold on the idea whether it's ebay or the cowmat company.

thanks again!

edit to add - I bit the bullet and just went ahead and ordered it now (the one you found) :)

Oh blimey! I'm now keeping fingers crossed it's ok. Don't blame me if it isn't, it was just a suggestion!!! However, I might end up ordering a mat myself ... to cut up to put into my van cages. Let me know what you think ... I think!!

Don't be silly - I'm thrilled you found it.  I had the other one bookmarked since before Christmas, then forgot about it once I saw your post on cow mats.  I found it again today when I was clearing out old 'watched' items and that kind of reminded me.

I'm not breeding till May, so was going to order later if I got the other one as it seems something they always have, but the one you sent the link to just seemed to have the one lot - and it was thicker, and I actually liked the idea of the 'traction' on it so figured I'd kick myself if I didn't grab it now and it wasn't there later.

Definitely NOT holding you responsible if it's no good - though judging from the feedback people are very happy with the seller so I'm sure it will be fine :)

I'll drop you a note either on this thread (in case others are interested) or by pm and let you know when I get it.

> However, I might end up ordering a mat myself ... to cut up to put into my van cages. Let me know what you think ... I think!!

Arrived this morning.  YIKES it's big and it doesn't bend LOL (well not much).  So glad I was home as there's no WAY I'd safely get that in my car.

I'm pretty pleased with it.  I'm leaving it wrapped in the plastic to store in the garage till the time is right.  I probably will have to trim it down some to fit (what's the best way - hacksaw?) the area I need it to go in.

It's textured on both sides.  I'm glad I went with this over the other, as now looking at it I like that it's slightly thicker.

If you do go for it let me know how it compares, but I'd say I'm pleased with it and will definitely be using it.

Very interested as the tray in my puppy pen has cracked,my fault left it outside in the very cold weather and then dropped it on it's corner, have been looking for another one but they are nearly the price of the complete pen,using shower curtain at present over the cracked tray and the dogs keep ripping it.

This would work and the puppy pen sit on top of it.

Thanks

I'm trying to decide it it would be better to use with puppy pen on top, or to cut it down to fit perfectly inside the puppy pen.  I can just see the puppy pen slipping off it unless I can figure out a way to anchor it on top.

Mine are a small breed and the pen very heavy so will initially try on top.

Let us know how it goes.

In which case you'll probably be fine.  My breeding's not even due till May or June so it'll be a while yet before I use it, but mine are a medium breed, and the pen will probably be right at the edge of one side, so I'm still thinking about how to do it.  But with a small breed and a smaller pen I don't think you'd have any trouble sitting the pen on top.