Regulating Body Temperature

[rottcrazed]

Our puppies are 9 days old now and growing like little weeds. The one and only concern I have at this point is maintaining their body temps.

I have an extra large heating pad on low in the whelping pen which they are now rarely sleeping on. The room is warm, no drafts, and there are blankets, etc.... for them to curl up in. With our last litter, I know it took 2 and half weeks for them to start avoiding the heat source, but these guys have been starting to do it now for 2 days. I am not removing the heating pad, but I just wanted to know what you guys have experienced with puppies with regards to regulating their body temps.

Thanks,

Kristi

[Sharon Marples]

Hi Kristi,

Sorry for the late reply. I would do what you are doing, keep the heating pad in the box, but make sure there is enough room for them to move off of it. You might even lower the temp of it a bit to see if they will stay on it longer. As long as they are not chilly, they are ok. If they are choosing to move away from the heat, I see nothing wrong with this, especially since the room has no drafts and is warm as well. We let our pups make that decision for themselves too, our heating pad takes up half of the whelping box and it gives them the choice of staying on it or moving away from the heat.

Hope this helps, where are the pics of those youngsters????

[rottcrazed]

Thanks,

That is what I figured, but since I have had only one litter before this one, I am not exactly a pro.

They do stay on the heat pad some of the time, but most of the time they are not on it.

Pics are coming, I promise!

Kristi

[BostonRott]

Everything sounds fine. I actually never leave a heating pad in the pen. If they do start to get too cold, you'll notice them in a tight pile.

[marianne]

With 6 litters of Rottweilers over the years,I have never used a heating pad. For winter litters a used a portable heater outside of the whelping box.

Just watch the pups....when they get too warm they all sleep alone. When they curl together they are cool.

Oh puppies.....Aren't they the GREATEST!!!!!!!

[rottcrazed]

Yep, I love the little beasties ....

The smell SOOOO good! I could eat every one of them!

Thanks guys, I feel much better!

Kristi