When Malla was pregnant, I thought I had plenty of time to prepare.

With three weeks to go, according to the vet, I thought I still had plenty of time to prepare. I planned to set up the whelping pen, organize supplies, and make sure everything was ready well before the big day.

But puppies don’t always follow the schedule. Malla suddenly went into labor three weeks earlier than expected.

Instead of calmly preparing, I was rushing around the house trying to get everything ready while she was already in labor. I quickly assembled the whelping pen, hoping I wasn’t forgetting anything important. At the same time, I was placing last-minute online orders for supplies and hoping they would arrive the next day.

I also remember thinking, What if something goes wrong?

I didn’t even have the emergency vet number written down yet.

Thankfully everything turned out okay, but the experience taught me a big lesson:

If your dog is expecting puppies, prepare earlier than you think you need to.

Here’s everything I recommend having ready before your dog goes into labor.

Create a Safe Whelping Area

A whelping area is a quiet and safe place where your dog can give birth and care for her puppies.

• A whelping box or pen helps keep the puppies contained and protects them from getting accidentally stepped on or wandering away. It also gives the mother a comfortable place to rest with her litter.

The whelping area should include:

• Soft blankets or towels
• Puppy pads for easy cleanup
• A warm and quiet location in your home
• Enough space for mom to move comfortably

Looking back, I wish I had set this up at least a week or two before the due date so Malla could get used to the space. Instead, I was putting it together while she was already in labor.

Have Emergency Vet Information Ready

One thing many people forget to prepare is emergency contact information.

When your dog goes into labor, you don’t want to be scrambling to find phone numbers or directions to a vet clinic.

Make sure you have:

• Your regular veterinarian’s phone number
• The nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic
• The clinic’s address and directions

Having this information ready can make a huge difference if you need help quickly.

Get a Digital Scale to Weigh Puppies

A small digital scale is one of the most important tools for monitoring newborn puppies.

Puppies should be weighed every day after birth. Tracking their weight helps you make sure they are nursing properly and growing as they should.

A simple kitchen scale works perfectly for this.

If a puppy stops gaining weight or begins losing weight, it can be an early sign that they need extra help.

Keep Puppy Bottles and Formula on Hand

Even if everything seems to be going well, it’s always smart to have puppy formula and bottles ready, just in case.

These are usually only needed if the mother isn’t producing enough milk or if a puppy needs extra support. Sometimes puppies may need:

• Supplemental feeding
• Help if mom’s milk supply is low or slow to come in
• Assistance if one puppy is weaker than the others

If you think a puppy may need supplemental feeding, it’s always best to talk with your veterinarian first so they can guide you on the safest way to help.

When Malla’s puppies arrived early, I had to quickly order these supplies online and hope they would arrive the next day. It definitely would have been less stressful if I had them ready beforehand.

Thankfully, Malla was a natural mom and produced plenty of milk, so we didn’t end up needing them.

Feed the New Mom High-Quality Food

Nursing mothers burn a lot of calories while feeding their puppies.

Many vets recommend feeding puppy food during nursing because it contains more calories and nutrients.

Make sure your dog has:

• High-quality puppy food
• Fresh water available at all times
• Easy access to food near the whelping area

A well-fed mother will have more energy and better milk production for her puppies.

Stock Up on Blankets, Towels, and Puppy Pads

You will go through more bedding than you expect.

Newborn puppies can be messy, and the whelping area will need frequent cleaning.

Helpful items include:

• Washable blankets
• Old towels
• Puppy training pads

Having extras ready will save you a lot of time and laundry stress.

Use Gates or Playpens for Growing Puppies

As puppies get older, they start exploring quickly.

A baby gate or puppy playpen can help keep them safe while giving them space to move around.

This also helps separate them from other pets in the house and keeps them from wandering into unsafe areas.

Planning this ahead of time makes things much easier once the puppies begin walking and exploring.

My Biggest Lesson: Prepare Earlier Than You Think

When Malla went into labor three weeks early, I realized how quickly things can change.

Instead of calmly preparing, I was rushing to assemble the whelping area, placing last-minute orders, and hoping everything would arrive in time.

Luckily, everything went smoothly and the puppies were healthy. But next time, I will definitely have everything ready much earlier.

If your dog is expecting puppies, the best advice I can give is simple:

Prepare early. Puppies don’t always wait for the due date.

Puppy Preparation Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist to help you get ready:

✔ Whelping pen or box
✔ Blankets and towels
✔ Puppy pads
✔ Puppy bottles and formula
✔ High-quality puppy food for mom
✔ Digital scale for weighing puppies
✔ Baby gate or puppy play area
✔ Emergency vet phone number

My Recommended Puppy Supplies

If you’re preparing for puppies and want an easy place to start, I’ve put together a list of supplies based on what I learned from Malla and her puppies.

You can find my recommended products in my Amazon storefront, including:

• Whelping supplies
• Puppy bottles and formula
• Digital scales
• Puppy pads and blankets
• Puppy playpens and gates
• Helpful items for nursing mothers

These are the types of items I wish I had ready before the puppies arrived early.

👉 Check out my Amazon storefront for my recommended puppy supplies.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.