unusual beahviour for mother in whelping box

my bitch is shredding up paper in her whelping box...i new tthis was normal before the birth but they are now one day old...what could this mean???

not really unusual, but can be alarming when you first see it!

Shredding is often attributed to pain, although some bitches are still sorting out their 'nest', so it can also be attributed to housekeeping

It is thought that bitches experience the same 'aftershocks' (as the uterus returns to normal) that women do after giving birth, and if this is one way a bitch might cope with such discomfort.

I let my bitches get on with it, but just keep a close eye to ensure there isnt any danger to the pups, and that there isnt something more serious brewing with the bitch.

hth

thandi