How long are dogs pregnant?

Dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days (9 weeks) from ovulation. The normal range is 57 to 65 days. The variation depends on whether you count from the first mating, the LH surge, or confirmed ovulation. Regardless of breed size, gestation length is remarkably consistent at 63 days from ovulation.

How can I tell if my dog is pregnant?

Early signs include decreased appetite around weeks 3-4, slight behavioural changes, and nipple enlargement. A vet can confirm pregnancy by palpation at days 28-30, ultrasound from day 25, or a blood test for relaxin hormone after day 30. X-rays after day 45 can determine litter size.

When should I take my pregnant dog to the vet?

Schedule a vet visit to confirm pregnancy at 25-30 days after mating. A second visit around day 45 for X-rays to count puppies is recommended. Contact your vet immediately if you notice green or black vaginal discharge, if labour hasn't started by day 66, or if she strains for more than 30 minutes without producing a puppy.

63-day gestation

Dog Pregnancy Calculator

Enter your dog's mating date to calculate her estimated due date, track pregnancy progress week by week, and see exactly what's happening at each stage. Based on the standard 63-day canine gestation period used by veterinarians.

Date of mating ?

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Estimated Due Date

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Mating Week 0 of 9 Whelping

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Week-by-Week Timeline

Understanding Dog Pregnancy

Dog pregnancy (gestation) lasts approximately 63 days from ovulation, regardless of breed or size. That's about 9 weeks. The normal range is 57 to 65 days, though most dogs whelp within a day or two of day 63.

The variation in reported gestation length (58-72 days) comes from the difficulty of pinpointing the exact moment of fertilisation. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 7 days, and eggs remain viable for about 48 hours after ovulation. This means a dog bred on day 1 might not actually conceive until day 5 or later.

Why the Mating Date Matters

The most accurate due date comes from knowing the ovulation date via progesterone blood testing. If you have this from your veterinarian, select "Confirmed ovulation" in the calculator above for the tightest prediction window.

If you only know the mating date, our calculator accounts for the biological window: using the first mating date gives you the earliest possible due date, while the last mating date gives you the latest.

When to See Your Vet

Day 25-30: Ultrasound can confirm pregnancy and detect heartbeats
Day 28-30: Vet can feel puppies by abdominal palpation
Day 30+: Relaxin blood test can confirm pregnancy
Day 45+: X-ray can count the number of puppies (skeletal mineralisation is visible)
Day 58+: Prepare your whelping area and have your vet's emergency number ready

Whelping Preparation Checklist

Start preparing around week 7 (day 49). Here's what you'll need:

Whelping box — large enough for mum to stretch out, with sides low enough for her to step over but high enough to contain puppies
Clean towels and blankets — for drying puppies and keeping the area clean. Have plenty of spares.
Heat source — a heat lamp or heating pad for one corner of the box. Newborn puppies cannot regulate their body temperature.
Thermometer — a rectal thermometer to monitor mum's temperature. A drop below 37.8°C (100°F) usually signals labour within 24 hours.
Dental floss and scissors — sterilised, in case you need to tie and cut umbilical cords
Vet's emergency number — know who to call for after-hours emergencies before labour starts
Puppy-safe scales — for weighing each puppy daily to track growth

Frequently Asked Questions

Dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days (9 weeks) from ovulation. The normal range is 57 to 65 days. This is remarkably consistent across all breeds, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. The variation in commonly reported ranges (58-72 days) comes from counting from mating date rather than ovulation.

Early signs include decreased appetite around weeks 3-4, slight behavioural changes, and nipple enlargement. A vet can confirm pregnancy by abdominal palpation at days 28-30, ultrasound from day 25, or a relaxin blood test after day 30. X-rays after day 45 can count the number of puppies.

For the first 5 weeks, maintain her normal high-quality adult food. From week 5-6 onward, gradually transition to a puppy food formula (higher in calories, protein, and calcium). By week 8-9, she may need 25-50% more calories than normal. Feed smaller, more frequent meals as the growing puppies take up abdominal space.

Contact your vet immediately if: labour hasn't started by day 66; she strains actively for more than 30 minutes without producing a puppy; more than 2 hours pass between puppies; you see green or black vaginal discharge before the first puppy; she seems in extreme distress; or a puppy appears stuck in the birth canal.

Sources & References

1
Concannon et al. — Canine Pregnancy and Parturition
Biology of Reproduction • Gestation length, hormonal patterns, and whelping physiology
2
VCA Animal Hospitals — Breeding for Pet Owners: Pregnancy in Dogs
VCA • Week-by-week development milestones and veterinary care schedule
3
American Kennel Club — Dog Gestation Period: How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
AKC • Breeding timeline, signs of pregnancy, and whelping preparation
4
Root Kustritz — Clinical Canine and Feline Reproduction
Wiley-Blackwell • Progesterone timing, ovulation confirmation, and gestation calculation