The checklist
01
Nesting and warmth
- Whelping box with pig rails
- Waterproof, washable whelping pads
- Clean cotton towels and blankets
- Safe heat lamp or heating pad
- Room thermometer (keep at 75–80°F)
- Spare bedding for quick changes
02
Delivery
- Rubber bulb aspirator for clearing airways
- Sterile hemostats to clamp the cord
- Unwaxed dental floss to tie cords
- Blunt surgical scissors
- Iodine antiseptic for the cord stump
- Disposable gloves and paper towels
03
Monitoring and feeding
- Digital rectal thermometer
- Gram scale for newborn weights
- Notebook for birth times and weights
- Puppy milk replacer and bottles
- Color-coded puppy ID collars
- High-quality puppy or growth food for her
04
Emergency plan
- Your vet’s number on the fridge
- Nearest 24-hour emergency clinic and route
- A carrier or crate and a plan for transport
- Phone charged and a torch
- A helper who can come at night