Dog pregnancy guide
How long is a dog pregnant?
A dog is pregnant for about 63 days (about 9 weeks). The normal range is 58 to 68 days, so most puppies arrive within that window rather than on the exact average day. Breed shifts the date by a few days, which is why the calculator asks for it.
Quick rule: Count 9 weeks forward from the mating date. The whelping window runs from day 58 to day 68.
How to use the dog pregnancy calculator
1. Enter the mating date. Use the first mating date if she mated more than once. Tap Use today if it was today.
2. Pick the date type. If your vet tested for the LH surge or ovulation, choose that. It narrows the window.
3. Pick the breed. The whole window moves with the breed average.
Then follow the schedule. Each task gets a real date, the next one is highlighted, the status shows whether your dog is on track, and the week by week cards above show where things stand. Use Copy schedule or Add to Google Calendar to keep it.
Gestation formulas
- Estimated whelping date = mating date + 63 days
- Earliest normal whelping = mating date + 58 days
- Latest normal whelping = mating date + 68 days
- Breed adjustment = breed average minus 63 days, applied to the whole window
- LH surge date: due date = that date + 65 days
- Ovulation date: due date = that date + 63 days
- Call your vet if nothing has happened by day 68
Care schedule for a pregnant dog
| When | Task | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Day 28 | Confirm pregnancy | Vet ultrasound from about day 25, or a relaxin blood test from day 28. |
| Day 35 | Start increasing food | Raise food gradually from week 5 and switch to puppy food by week 6. |
| Day 45 | Count puppies by X-ray | From day 45 the skeletons show, so you know how many to expect. |
| Day 50 | Set up the whelping box | Quiet, warm room. Let her sleep in it before labour. |
| Day 56 | Start temperature checks | Twice a day. A drop below 37.2 C, which is 99 F, usually means labour within 24 hours. |
Signs of whelping and when to call the vet
Labour is close if she has
- ✓Temperature drops below 37.2 C (99 F)
- ✓Nesting, digging and refusing food
- ✓Panting, shivering and restlessness
- ✓Clear discharge and visible contractions
Call your vet immediately if
- !Strong straining for 30 minutes with no puppie born
- !A baby is visible but stuck, or comes backwards with no progress
- !Heavy bleeding or foul-smelling discharge
- !She is weak, collapsed, off her food or in obvious pain
- !No whelping by day 68
Dog gestation by breed
| Breed or type | Average | Normal window from the start date |
|---|---|---|
| Medium breed | 63 days | 58 to 68 days |
| Small or toy breed | 62 days | 57 to 67 days |
| Large or giant breed | 64 days | 59 to 69 days |
Frequently asked questions
How long is a dog pregnant?
A dog is pregnant for about 63 days (about 9 weeks). Most puppies arrive between day 58 and day 68. Breed matters: Medium breed about 63 days, Small or toy breed about 62 days, Large or giant breed about 64 days.
How accurate is this calculator?
It uses the average length and the normal range published in veterinary references, adjusted for the breed you pick. Individual animals vary, so treat the date as the middle of a window, not a promise.
When can I confirm the pregnancy?
Confirm pregnancy around day 28. Vet ultrasound from about day 25, or a relaxin blood test from day 28.
What if she goes past the due date?
Going a few days past the average is normal. The calculator marks day 68 as the end of the usual window and day 68 as the point to call your vet even if she seems well.
What are the signs that whelping is close?
Temperature drops below 37.2 C (99 F). Nesting, digging and refusing food. Panting, shivering and restlessness.
Is my data saved?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.
Disclaimer: This calculator gives estimates for planning only. It is not veterinary advice and cannot replace an examination by your vet. If you are worried at any stage, especially around birth, contact your vet promptly.
