Dog Pregnancy Calculator
Enter the breeding date to see when puppies are due. Dogs are pregnant for about 63 days, but the real window is wider.
How the calculation works
Gestation in dogs averages 63 days from breeding, with most litters born between day 58 and day 68. The range is wide because sperm can live in the female for several days, so conception may happen well after the mating date. A due date measured from the LH hormone surge or ovulation, which your vet can test for, is more precise: 65 days from the LH peak, or 63 days from ovulation.
Pregnancy timeline
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0 | Breeding |
| 21 to 25 | A vet can feel or see embryos by ultrasound from about day 25 |
| 28 to 35 | Relaxin blood test can confirm pregnancy |
| 35 to 40 | Belly and nipples visibly enlarge; increase food gradually |
| 45 to 55 | X-ray can count puppies (skeletons visible) |
| 55 to 58 | Set up the whelping box; take rectal temperature twice a day |
| 58 to 68 | Whelping; temperature drops below about 99°F (37.2°C) about 24 hours before labor |
Frequently asked questions
When should I call the vet during labor?
Call if your dog strains hard for 30 minutes without a puppy, rests more than 2 hours between puppies with more still inside, passes green or bloody discharge before the first puppy, or hasn't started labor by day 70.
How much should a pregnant dog eat?
Keep normal portions for the first five weeks. From week six, increase gradually to about 1.5 times normal by the end, using a puppy or all-life-stages food. Use our dog food calculator for the baseline.