Heating pads??

[MyTrixie143]

I am not too keen on using heating pads for newborn puppies. I am afraid it will get too hot, something will happen to the cord or something else will go wrong. So I was wondering if you could use a pet bed warmer?? You stick it in the microwave and it is suppose to keep heat for 12 hours. So woulden't this work for keeping newborn puppies warm??

[sylvan]

I always use a heating pad and never have a problem. By keeping it under half of the whelping box, mom and the pups can wiggle to adjust their position to get close or further from the warm end. The cord is not accessible for chewing since it is under the box, not in it under the bedding. I would be concerned that the microwaveable thing would fluctuate in temp....or get cool faster than expected.

[Lacy's Mom]

I have also always used a heating pad without any problems. Heating bulbs on the other hand, get Mom too hot and can explode. I have never heard of a microwave heating device that holds the temp. for that long. The microwave ones I have maybe hold an hour and it's really hot at first and then not warm enough. I do use the microwave ones for feeding baby birds when I remove them from the incubator, but all I need is heat for about 10 minutes or less.

[BamaFan121s]

I'm really not to wild about the idea either. Just because I don't like leaving things "on" while I'm not there...TV, dryer, dishwasher, etc. Last litter I didn't even use one..just made sure there were no drafts and kept the heat on where the house was warm. This time I cut it on while I was there and off while I wasn't. It's still really warm here and the room where Trixie and the kids are stays about 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the house. I actually have worried about it being too hot in there.

[marcerella02]

i bought one of those pink discs from Petsmart that you were talking about.. heat for about 8 hours (tho they say 12!!) and it works excellent. mine developed a crack in it and the company sent me a new one in a week! no charge! i still use it even tho layla is not a puppy on cold nights as my bedroom is in the basement!

[Lacy's Mom]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

i bought one of those pink discs from Petsmart that you were talking about.. heat for about 8 hours (tho they say 12!!) and it works excellent. mine developed a crack in it and the company sent me a new one in a week! no charge! i still use it even tho layla is not a puppy on cold nights as my bedroom is in the basement!

I want to know more about these pink discs - looked on the Petsmart website and couldn't find them - do you know the complete name of the product? How big are they? How much do they cost?

[marcerella02]

Hi Lacy's Mom. The disc is called a SnuggleSafe. They have a website that is based in the uk. it is www.snugglesafe.co.uk. at the bottom of the website is an email address.. i emailed them and they sent me the info for their US based company (it was a while ago so i don't have the address anymore) i emailed them and they send me the replacement disc, so i imagine you can also purchase them this way. The disc, if i remember was around 20-25 dollars Canadian. Let me know if i can provide anymore info. Good luck.. they are a lifesaver!

[Lacy's Mom]

Thanks for the information. I ordered one. My new puppies already go home with the Dex teddy bear with womb sounds, a blanket, bully sticks, bag of Nutro Ultra, canned, Nutrical, pacifier, toys, pictures, so now they are probably going to go home with one of these too! I am curious to see the temperature and how long it lasts.

[MyTrixie143]

I have another question. What is a safe and good temperature for the heating pad to be at?? I found a bed that heats to 108-109 F. Isn't that too hot or is it at the right temperature?? Or would this be for only older puppies or dogs???

[Lacy's Mom]

That sounds too hot to me a puppy's body temp is only 94 to 97 degrees.

Temperature and humidity

To remain healthy, puppies must be kept at the proper ambient temperature. Young puppies cannot conserve body heat or shiver to create heat. Supplying artificial heat sources such as an incubator, heat lamp, warm water pad or electrical heating pad will help puppies remain at the correct body temperature. Regardless of the heat source, it is very important not to overheat or burn the puppies. Keep a thermometer in the puppy area to monitor the temperature.

Heating pads need to be monitored closely if used, as the puppies may be too weakened to move away from them and become burned. If a heating pad must be used, wrap it in a thick towel or sheepskin to protect the puppies from burns.

For the first week, air temperature should be maintained at 90-95ºF and a relative humidity of 55-65%. During the beginning of the second week, gradually reduce the temperature to 85ºF. During the third week; 80ºF. During the fourth week; 75ºF. Beyond five weeks, decrease temperature to 70ºF or the normal room temperature. Use common sense. If the puppies are piled on top of each other all the time, they are cold. If the puppies are spread far apart, they are too warm. If they lay next to each other, the temperature is fine.

Puppies that are hypothermic (low body temperature) should be warmed slowly over 2-3 hours to a normal neonate temperature of 97ºF. A normal body temperature should be obtained before feeding these puppies.

Keep the moisture in a range comfortable for humans. In a homemade box area, a towel moistened with water and placed over the box will help add moisture. Never raise infants in a damp or moldy basement area. This type of stagnant dampness is usually cold and invites mildew and respiratory infections. Temperature control is more critical than humidity.

[marcerella02]

I followed the directions on the disk and with my microwave the disc is in the 40 seconds.. i turn it over.. for another 30... and then it is wrapped in a blanket... layla is now 7 months.. so it isn't to maintain her body temp.. just to keep her cozy on cold nights!