Dog Pregnancy Calculator
Enter the breeding or ovulation date. You get the day-63 due date, the realistic early and late window, and every milestone dated so you know which week you are in.
ovulation timing narrows the window to about ±2 days
Expected due date (day 63)
Mon, November 16, 2026
Earliest likely
Wed, November 11, 2026
Latest likely
Sat, November 21, 2026
Today is day 0 of the pregnancy.
| Day | Date | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Mon, September 21, 2026 | Fertilised eggs travel to the uterus |
| 16 | Wed, September 30, 2026 | Embryos implant in the uterine wall |
| 22 | Tue, October 6, 2026 | Fetal heartbeats detectable on ultrasound (day 22-28) |
| 28 | Mon, October 12, 2026 | Vet can palpate the pregnancy; relaxin blood test reliable |
| 35 | Mon, October 19, 2026 | Weight gain and belly begin to show |
| 45 | Thu, October 29, 2026 | Skeletons visible on X-ray -- puppy count possible |
| 56 | Mon, November 9, 2026 | Prepare the whelping box; nesting behaviour starts |
| 62 | Sun, November 15, 2026 | Temperature drop below 100°F (37.8°C) signals labour within 24 h |
| 63 | Mon, November 16, 2026 | Average due date |
The nine weeks, in order
| Week | What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Fertilisation; embryos travel to the uterus and implant around day 16-18. | Nothing changes: normal food, normal exercise. Avoid new medications and vaccines. |
| 3-4 | Embryos develop; heartbeats visible on ultrasound from day 22-28. Some dogs have a week of nausea and go off food. | Book the ultrasound or relaxin test for day 25-30. |
| 5-6 | Rapid fetal growth begins; the belly starts to show and nipples enlarge. | Start increasing food gradually. Switch to puppy food if you plan to. Assemble the whelping box. |
| 7 | Puppies' skeletons calcify -- X-ray from day 45 gives a count. | Book the X-ray around day 50-55. Introduce the dog to the whelping box daily. |
| 8 | Milk may appear; the dog slows down, nests, may lose appetite. | Small frequent meals. Start taking temperature twice daily from day 56. Have the vet's emergency number written down. |
| 9 | Temperature drops below 100°F within 24 hours of labour; nesting intensifies. | Quiet, warm room. Count puppies against the X-ray. Know the emergency signs on this page. |
Why the date is a range
Gestation is remarkably constant at 63 days from ovulation -- but ovulation is what breeders rarely know exactly. A dog can be bred several days before she ovulates and the sperm will wait; she can also be bred after. Counting from the first tie therefore gives a due date that is right on average and off by a few days either way in any one pregnancy. Progesterone testing during heat pins ovulation to within a day and is how serious breeders schedule a vet-attended whelping or a caesarean.
Litter size expectations
Average litters run about 3 puppies for toy breeds, 5-6 for medium breeds, and 7-9 for large and giant breeds, with first litters and older dams smaller. The day-45 X-ray is the only reliable count; ultrasound routinely undercounts. Knowing the number matters on whelping night -- it tells you when the dog is finished and when she is stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a dog pregnant?
About 63 days (9 weeks) from ovulation. Counted from the breeding date the practical range is 58-68 days, because sperm can survive up to a week in the reproductive tract and ovulation may have happened before or after the tie. If ovulation was timed with progesterone tests, the window narrows to 61-65 days.
When can a vet confirm the pregnancy?
Ultrasound from about day 22-28 shows heartbeats; a relaxin blood test is reliable from day 28-30; a vet can often palpate embryos around day 28-35; an X-ray from day 45 shows skeletons and gives a reasonably accurate puppy count for whelping night.
What are the signs labour is starting?
A rectal temperature drop below 100°F (37.8°C) -- take it twice daily from day 56 -- usually means puppies within 24 hours. Then nesting, restlessness, refusing food, panting, and finally contractions. First puppy normally arrives within 1-2 hours of hard straining.
When is it an emergency?
More than 30 minutes of hard straining with no puppy; more than 2-4 hours between puppies with more expected; green or black discharge before the first puppy; the temperature dropped more than 24 hours ago with no labour; or the pregnancy passes day 70 from breeding. Any of these is a call to the vet, not a wait.
How should I feed a pregnant dog?
Normal amounts for the first 5-6 weeks -- most weight gain is in the last third. From week 6, increase gradually to about 25-50% more by whelping, ideally with a puppy or all-life-stages food, fed in small frequent meals as the uterus takes up space. Skip calcium supplements unless the vet prescribes them; they can cause eclampsia after birth.
These calculators use published veterinary formulas and are for general guidance. They are not a diagnosis and do not replace your veterinarian, who knows your animal's breed, history, and body condition.