1.) A strong rectangular cardboard box cut out one side to about 3" up from base (whelping box)

2.) Put about 2" of newspapers in this as they can be taken out one at a time as they get wet or bloodied, you can use clean rags etc. if preferred (nesting material)

3.) Heat pad for warmth for bitch and puppies

4.) Hot water bottles wrapped in towels, checked, and heated as necessary (for isolating puppy/s between births and for taking dam and her puppies to vet Check the heat for the return trip.

5.) Keep spare newspapers, there may be more mess than you realise

6.) Large waste paper bin

7.) Coffee table or two if one is too small to hold whelping trays

8.) Whelping tray 1 set up with:

Jar Vaseline - to lubricate finger for internal exam or helping puppy through

Cotton lint or wet ones - for cleaning hands

Stainless steel stationery bulldog clip or hair clip, spring type - for cord clamping. Apply close to vulva, if cord breaks it won’t retract back inside

Liquid paraffin oil medicinal - for flushing vaginal tract in cases of dry births

Sandoz calcium - for assisting contractions or eclampsia

5 cc syringe - for paraffin

5 cc medicine dropper - for witches brew or calcium

Witches brew - to increase labour (strong & fast) use with care

Powdered glucose - for energy

Bowl water face washer baby shampoo - to give dam a good clean

Small bottle BFI powder or other antibiotic powder - apply only if cord bleeds

Scalpel blade or razor blade - in the unlikely event that a bitch died in labour you could save the pups by caesarean. You'll never have to but be prepared for anything and everything

Whelping tray 2

Scales - for weighing pups

Clock - to record time

Notebook and pens - writing notes to refer to next time

6 handtowels - for drying pups

Small freezer bags - for placentas, stillborn pups, deformities, (these should be saved for vet to see)

Stocking or bandage - for muzzling in case of bitch panic and fear biting

VETS PHONE NUMBER - in case someone moves it from near the phone