Hi guys my girl is due in a week ,not sure if i should have a heat lamp or a heat mat ,our last litter we used a heat lamp ,but was thinking of getting a mat this time have any one tried them and were they any good

dawn
xx

I prefer a Mat as for me it would be too much hassle to set up a lamp and the bitches get very hot.  I put the mat in the middle of the whelping box so that the bitch does not have to lie on it, but the pups are most likely to.

Heat mat for me, so much easier and hides away xx

I use a heat pad too. Bought a lamp when i last had pups and never used it. Much easier with a pad as all the pups tend to lie on it and mom can find a cooler spot if it gets too warm.
mel.

thanks you guys heat mat it is then

dawn

xx

Yep, heat pads here too, found the lamp made the whole room too hot, so mum couldn't get away from it.

I think in the past more litters were bred out in kennels so that a heat lamp provided more heat and also some light.  They are of course used in agriculture and poultry raising so woudl then ahve been used for the dogs too.

Now the majority of litters are bred in the house that has background heat and a heat pad just provides that bit extra.

I have tried both. Heat pad for me. Just didn't like the lamp at all.

I also found that Sharon.  I keep hearing people say the mother stays away from the lamp but I find the near impossible myself. 

I just use a roofed den with adjustable curtain surrounds in a warm room.

Which heat pad does everyone like the best then ??????

Never used external heat source before as havent needed to, but would like to have one just in case....

Bought a lamp but never used it... last 3 litters have been summer ones and weather was actually very hot at the time....