How long are dogs pregnant?
Dogs are pregnant for about 63 days from ovulation, roughly nine weeks. Counting from the breeding date, the due date is less certain, because sperm can survive in the female for up to a week and the eggs need two or three days to mature after ovulation. As a result, puppies are usually born 58 to 68 days after breeding. If your vet tested progesterone to time ovulation, the estimate is much more precise: 63 days from ovulation, give or take a day.
How to use this dog pregnancy calculator
Enter the date your dog was bred. If she was bred on several days, use the first one. If your vet did hormone tests, choose the ovulation or LH surge date instead for a narrower window. The calculator shows the most likely due date, the window in which whelping is normal, how far along she is today, and a week-by-week calendar under "Show the math".
Worked example: a dog bred on March 1 has an estimated due date of May 3 (63 days later). Puppies could normally arrive any time between April 28 and May 8.
Dog pregnancy week by week
| Week | What's happening |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Eggs are fertilized and the embryos travel to the uterus. There are no outward signs. |
| 3 | Embryos implant in the uterus around days 18–21. Some dogs have a few days of mild morning sickness. |
| 4 | A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound from about day 25, or by a relaxin blood test from about day 28. |
| 5–6 | The puppies grow quickly. Your dog gains weight, her belly rounds and her nipples darken and enlarge. Start increasing her food gradually. |
| 7 | You may feel the puppies move. Introduce a whelping box in a quiet, warm place so she can get used to it. |
| 8 | The puppies' skeletons are visible on X-ray from about day 55, so a vet can count them. Knowing the number tells you when she has finished. |
| 9 | She may nest, stop eating and become restless. Her temperature drops shortly before labor begins. |
Signs your dog is pregnant
Early pregnancy is hard to spot. The first visible signs usually appear from about the fourth or fifth week: weight gain, a bigger appetite, enlarged and darker nipples, a rounder belly and sometimes a clear vaginal discharge. Some dogs are quieter or more affectionate. Dogs can also have a false pregnancy with many of the same signs, so the only reliable confirmation is a vet's ultrasound, blood test or X-ray.
Feeding a pregnant dog
During the first five weeks, a pregnant dog needs about the same amount of food as usual. From week six, increase her food gradually, by about 10% a week, so that by whelping she eats about 25–50% more than normal. Many vets recommend switching to a high-quality puppy (growth) food in the last trimester and while she's nursing. Don't give calcium supplements unless your vet prescribes them; extra calcium during pregnancy can increase the risk of dangerous low calcium (eclampsia) after birth.
Signs labor is near
From about day 56 after breeding, take her rectal temperature twice a day. A normal temperature is 100–102.5 °F (37.8–39.2 °C). When it drops below about 99 °F (37.2 °C), labor usually starts within 24 hours. Other signs include nesting, shivering, panting, refusing food and restlessness.
When to call the vet
- She strains hard for 30 to 60 minutes without producing a puppy.
- More than 2 to 4 hours pass between puppies and you know more are coming.
- There's green or black discharge before the first puppy, or heavy bleeding.
- Her temperature dropped more than 24 hours ago and labor hasn't started.
- She is past the end of the normal whelping window.
- She seems very weak, is trembling, or is in severe pain.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is a dog pregnant?
About 63 days from ovulation. Counted from the breeding date, puppies are usually born 58 to 68 days later.
How can I tell if my dog is pregnant without a vet?
There's no reliable home test for dogs. Signs such as weight gain, enlarged nipples and a rounder belly usually appear only from week 4 or 5, and a false pregnancy can look the same. A vet can confirm it with an ultrasound from about day 25.
How many puppies will my dog have?
It depends mostly on breed and size: small breeds often have 1 to 4 puppies, and large breeds 6 to 10 or more. An X-ray from about day 55 gives an accurate count.
Can a dog be pregnant for 70 days?
Rarely. Counted from a single breeding date, 68 days is the usual upper limit. If your dog is past the window and there are no signs of labor, or her temperature dropped more than a day ago, call your vet.
When should I take my pregnant dog to the vet?
Ideally before breeding for a health check, around day 25 to 30 to confirm the pregnancy, and around day 55 for an X-ray to count the puppies and plan the birth. Call at once if you see any of the warning signs listed above.
Due dates are estimates. Breeding and whelping carry real risks; work with your veterinarian throughout the pregnancy.