Pet Calculus

Dog pregnancy calculator

Pick the date your dog was first mated. You’ll get her likely due date, the normal whelping window and a dated checklist for the weeks ahead.

— likely due date

    How long are dogs pregnant?

    A dog pregnancy lasts about 63 days, or nine weeks. That figure is counted from ovulation, though, and most owners only know the mating date. Sperm can survive in the female for several days, and eggs need a couple of days to mature after ovulation. So when you count from mating, the Merck Veterinary Manual puts normal whelping anywhere from day 58 to day 72 after the first day she accepted the male. Most dogs give birth close to day 63.

    That’s why the calculator gives you a window as well as a single date. Plan for the whole window, and don’t worry if she goes a few days either side of day 63.

    If your vet tracked her progesterone levels to pin down ovulation, their due date will be more precise than ours. Go with theirs.

    Dog pregnancy week by week

    StageWhat’s happening
    Weeks 1–3Fertilized eggs travel to the uterus and implant around day 18 to 21. You won’t see any changes yet, though some dogs get a little quieter or go off their food for a few days.
    Weeks 4–5An ultrasound can usually confirm pregnancy from about day 25. Her nipples may turn pinker and slightly bigger. Some dogs have a short spell of morning sickness.
    Weeks 6–7Her belly starts to show. This is when appetite climbs, so increase food gradually, often by switching to a puppy formula. Around day 45 an X-ray can show the puppies’ skeletons, and your vet can count them.
    Week 8Puppies may be seen or felt moving when she lies down. Have the whelping box in a quiet, warm spot and let her get used to it.
    Week 9She may start nesting, shredding bedding or hiding. A drop in rectal temperature to about 99°F (37.2°C) or lower usually means labor will start within 8 to 24 hours.

    Signs your dog is pregnant

    For the first few weeks there’s usually nothing obvious. When signs do come, they tend to look like this:

    • A drop in appetite around week three, then a much bigger appetite later
    • Larger, darker or pinker nipples
    • A firm, rounder belly from about week five or six
    • Being more tired, clingy or less keen on rough play
    • Nesting behavior in the final week

    Some unspayed dogs go through a false pregnancy after a heat, with many of the same signs and no puppies. An ultrasound or X-ray is the only way to know for sure.

    Vet visits worth booking

    A good plan covers three visits. The first is an ultrasound around day 25 to 35 to confirm the pregnancy and check the puppies’ heartbeats. The second is an X-ray after day 45 to count the litter. That number matters on the day, because it tells you when she’s finished. The third is a quick chat in the last week about what normal labor looks like and when to call.

    An example: Bella was first mated on March 1. Her most likely due date is May 3, and the normal window runs from April 28 to May 12. An X-ray around April 15 would show how many puppies to expect, and temperature checks start around April 27.

    When to call the vet during labor

    Most dogs whelp without help. Still, call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if:

    • She has strong straining for 30 minutes or more with no puppy
    • More than two to four hours pass between puppies and you know more are coming
    • There’s green or bloody discharge before the first puppy is born
    • She reaches day 72 after the first mating with no sign of labor
    • She seems very weak, is shaking, or collapses

    Common questions

    How accurate is a dog pregnancy calculator?

    It gives the right window for most dogs, but it can’t know when she ovulated. Most dogs whelp within a few days of the date shown, and anything from day 58 to day 72 can be normal.

    Can I use this if she was mated twice?

    Yes. Use the first date. The calculator’s window is wide enough to cover a second mating a day or two later.

    Can a home pregnancy test work on a dog?

    No. Human tests look for a hormone dogs don’t make. Vets use a blood test for relaxin, an ultrasound or an X-ray instead.

    How many puppies will she have?

    It depends on breed and size. Small breeds often have one to four puppies. Large breeds often have six to ten or more. An X-ray after day 45 gives you the real count.

    When should I change her food?

    Many vets suggest moving to a puppy food from around week five or six and feeding smaller meals more often as her belly fills up. Ask your vet what suits your dog. Our dog food calculator can help with portions before pregnancy and after weaning.

    Sources

    Last reviewed .