How long are dogs pregnant?
A dog’s pregnancy lasts about 63 days from ovulation. Counted from the mating date, which is easier to know, it ranges from about 58 to 68 days, because sperm can survive in the female for several days and breeders often mate a dog more than once. The calculator gives the expected whelping date, the normal range, and when to schedule the vet visits.
The dates
- Expected whelping date = mating date + 63 days
- Normal range = 58 to 68 days after mating
- Ultrasound from about day 25
- X-ray from about day 45, to count the puppies
Worked example
Your dog was mated on October 4, 2026.
- Expected whelping date: December 6, 2026.
- Normal range: December 1 to December 11.
- Ultrasound from October 29; X-ray from November 18.
- On November 3, she is on day 30 of pregnancy, with 33 days to go.
Stages of pregnancy
| Weeks | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | embryos travel to the uterus and implant; few visible signs |
| 4 | ultrasound can confirm pregnancy; the vet may feel the swellings |
| 5 to 6 | belly and nipples enlarge; appetite increases |
| 7 | puppies’ skeletons are visible on X-ray |
| 8 to 9 | nesting, milk production, and whelping |
Caring for a pregnant dog
Keep her regular diet for the first half of pregnancy, then increase food gradually from week 5 or 6, often switching to a puppy or growth formula; by the end she may need 25 to 50% more. Keep exercise gentle and regular. Ask your vet about deworming and avoid medicines not approved for pregnancy.
Preparing for whelping
Set up a whelping box in a quiet, warm place about two weeks before the due date and let her get used to it. From about day 57, take her rectal temperature twice a day: a drop to around 99 °F (37.5 °C) or below usually means whelping within 24 hours.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if she goes past day 68 after mating, if she strains strongly for 30 to 60 minutes without producing a puppy, if more than 2 to 4 hours pass between puppies, or if there is green or bloody discharge before the first puppy.
A note on medical advice
This calculator gives estimates based on averages. It does not replace advice from your veterinarian, who can confirm the pregnancy and follow it with exams and imaging.