How do I calculate my dog's due date?

Add about 63 days to the breeding date to estimate the whelping (due) date. Because the fertile window spans several days, expect delivery anywhere from 58 to 68 days after mating.

What are signs a dog is close to giving birth?

A drop in body temperature below about 99°F (37.2°C), nesting behavior, restlessness, loss of appetite, and panting often appear within 24 hours of labor.

Dog Pregnancy Calculator

Q: How long are dogs pregnant?

Dog pregnancy (gestation) lasts about 63 days from ovulation, with a normal range of roughly 58 to 68 days from the breeding date.

Enter the breeding date to estimate your dog's due date and see a week-by-week whelping timeline.

Breeding (mating) date

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How long are dogs pregnant?

Canine gestation averages 63 days (about nine weeks) from ovulation. Because mating can happen a few days before or after ovulation, the practical range is 58 to 68 days from the breeding date. This calculator adds 63 days to your breeding date and shows that window.

Week-by-week pregnancy timeline

Stage	What's happening
Weeks 1–3	Fertilization and implantation. Few outward signs; avoid stress and unnecessary medication.
Week 4	A vet may confirm pregnancy by ultrasound. Mild appetite changes possible.
Weeks 5–6	Belly enlarges, appetite increases. Gradually increase food (see notes below).
Week 7	X-ray can count puppies. Prepare the whelping box.
Weeks 8–9	Nesting begins. Monitor temperature; labor is near when it drops below ~99°F.

Feeding a pregnant dog

Nutritional needs rise sharply in the last third of pregnancy. Many vets recommend switching to a high-quality puppy/growth formula by week 5–6 and increasing total intake by roughly 25–50% by the final week, split into smaller, frequent meals. See our dog food calculator for baseline portions.

⚠️ This is an estimate. Confirm pregnancy and due dates with your veterinarian, who can use ultrasound and X-ray for accurate dating and litter counts. Seek immediate veterinary help if labor stalls or your dog seems distressed.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is the due date?

Dating from the breeding date is approximate because of the fertile window. Dating from ovulation (via progesterone testing) is far more precise — ask your vet.

What's a normal litter size?

It varies widely by breed — small breeds may have 1–4 puppies, large breeds 6–10 or more. An X-ray around week 7 gives an accurate count.

When should I worry during labor?

Call your vet if more than 2 hours pass between puppies, if your dog strains for 30+ minutes without producing a puppy, or if you see green discharge before the first puppy.