+ What material is used to make the Dura-Whelp® whelping box?

The Dura-Whelp® whelping box is made from polypropylene corrugated plastic. This looks like cardboard but is 100% industrially extruded 5-millimeter plastic and is much more durable than cardboard. It is strong and lightweight which allows us to offer the three-year guarantee on the box. Instead of using several panels that fit into slots, the Dura-Whelp® walls are 1-piece folded accordion style so cleaning is a breeze. There are no grooves or slots for messes to get into.

+ How high are the puppy rails (pig rails) off the floor?

• Small: 2-1/2 inches
• Medium: 4 inches
• Large: 4 inches
• X-Large: 4-1/2 inches

+ Are the inside dimensions the same as the outside?

No. Because of the rails, there is about a 6-inch decrease in living space inside the box.

Inside Dimensions:

• Small becomes a 28" x 28"
• Medium becomes a 34" x 34"
• Large becomes a 42" x 42"
• X-Large becomes a 54" x 42"

The puppy rails are 3 inches wide and 7/8 inches thick.

+ How thick is the plastic?

The plastic is about 1/4 inch thick and is folded to make the top edges 1/2 inch thick.

+ Does the Dura-Whelp® come in different colors?

The Dura-Whelp® box comes in grey.

+ How heavy are the Dura-Whelp® whelping boxes?

It depends on the size.

• Small = 13 lbs.
• Medium = 17 lbs.
• Large = 21 lbs.
• X-Large = 25 lbs.

+ How high is the door opening from the floor?

• Small = 5 inches
• Medium = 7 inches
• Large = 7 inches
• X-Large = 8 inches

+ What size box is right for my breed?

Please see the Breeds and Sizes page of this site for sizing recommendations.

+ How is the Dura-Whelp put together?

Only a screwdriver and rubbing alcohol is needed. Everything is held together with industrial strength Velcro. The bottom is 1 piece that unfolds and has flaps around the edge. The wall unit is 1 piece that opens and sits on top of the floor piece. The flaps then come up and Velcro to the sides. Then you insert the rails. 2 of the rails go directly through the walls and the other 2 fit between them. This is what frames and steadies the box. Detailed instructions are included with every box and can also be found in pdf form on the instructions page of this site.

+ What cleaners can be used on the plastic?

The whelping box can be cleaned with most products: bleach, detergent, Quatricide, etc. To remove newspaper print, we suggest using a soft-scrub cleanser for counter tops.

+ Will the Weaning Pen work as a whelping box?

The whelping box is specifically designed to be the safest environment for mom and puppies. it has rails to keep the puppies safe. The weaning pen is an accessory to the whelping box and is not made to be used for whelping or to stand alone. Using the weaning pen as a whelping box puts your litter at risk.

+ Does the cradle in the Therma-Whelp™ plug in?

The Therma-Whelp™ cradle does not have a plug. It is made to absorb heat from the heat emitters, redistribute the heat across its surface and emit the heat that it has absorbed. Puppies are then able to absorb the heat from the cradle, the heat emitter, and the air around them to keep them warm.

+ What heat sources can be used?

The Therma-Whelp™, heat lamps and heating pads can be used safely.

+ How high should the Therma-Whelp Lamp be positioned?

At average room temperature (72 degrees F.) it should be positioned 30 inches above the cradle. Some adjustments may be required to achieve the 85 to 95 degrees F needed to keep the puppies warm enough.

+ How do I wash my Dura-Whelp® pads?

The pads are machine washable. We recommend hang drying if possible. Pads should be washed before first use.

+ Are discounts or sales offered?

We offer the best prices for all of our products to all of our customers year round.

+ Can I order custom materials?

Due to our manufacturing processes, we do not make custom orders.

+ How fast does it ship?

For orders who have paid for priority shipping, we guarantee the order will leave our warehouse in Idaho by the next business day and should arrive 2-6 business days from the day it shipped excluding weekends, holidays and the day it ships. For orders who have chosen standard shipping, we guarantee it will leave our warehouse within 4 business days with the package usually arriving within 14 days. Dura-Whelp is not responsible for delays caused by carriers.

+ Do we ship internationally?

We ship to the United States and Canada. If Shipping to Canada, shipping price quotes do not include Customs Duty, Taxes and Broker Fees charged by UPS. The carrier (UPS) will contact you for payment towards Customs Duties, Taxes and Broker Fees before releasing your product to you. To avoid UPS broker fees, please read this article (click here) about self-clearing your border duties. Due to the size of our boxes, we are unable to ship to Canada via USPS International.

+ What does our 3-year guarantee cover?

We guarantee the Dura-Whelp® box and Weaning Pen to be usable for a period of 3 years from the original date of purchase. We will replace or repair free-of-charge any of our guaranteed items which is unusable due to manufacturing defects. Warranty does not apply to repairs needed because of chewing, accident, or negligence.

+ What is our return policy?

We strive to provide quality product to all our customers. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you may return it. The returned item(s) must be in their original condition, unused, and resalable. Used product is non-refundable. Any product that has come into physical contact with an animal or its living space is considered used. This is veterinary grade equipment and as such, cross contamination can pose severe health risks. Rest assured we will never sell used product.

We have a 30-day grace period for return or correction. No refunds will be offered after 30 days. Upon receiving your order, please ensure all items are accounted for and undamaged. If an item is damaged, we reserve the right to replace, repair, or refund its price.

To return your product, contact us first for your return authorization number. You can contact us via email at info@durawhelp.com or by phone at 208-747-3605. Items shipped to us without authorization will not be refunded.

We do not refund or cover any shipping charges. If you decide to return your order, you are responsible for shipping the product to us. We recommend using a shipping service that offers a tracking number and shipping insurance. If the carrier damages the product on its way back to us, we may not be able to offer a refund. Refused packages or return to sender shipping fees will be deducted from your refund.

Once your order has been received and inspected, we will notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund within two weeks. Refunds will be credited to the original payment method. A restocking fee of up to 20% may be deducted from your return to cover expenses.

If you have chosen at checkout for a signature to be required upon delivery and then your package is returned due to the carrier being unable to obtain a signature, additional shipping charges may be applied to resend the package to you.

+ What times are we open?

We are open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM MST Monday - Friday. If you need to reach us outside of those times, either call and leave a message or send us an email and we will respond as soon as possible on the next business day.