How long are dogs pregnant?
About 63 days, or 9 weeks, but the window you plan around depends on which date you know. Enter it below for the due dates and a calendar of the checks along the way.
The short answer: about 63 days
VCA gives a normal dog pregnancy as 57 to 65 days, with an average of 63, which is about 9 weeks. The catch is the starting point. A mating date isn't the day the puppies were conceived: the Merck Veterinary Manual notes that sperm can stay alive in the female for a week or more, so conception can happen days after the mating. That's why the window depends on which date you have.
| If your date is… | Puppies are due | How you'd know the date |
|---|---|---|
| The first day she allowed mating | 58–72 days later | Your own records |
| The LH surge, or the first rise in progesterone | 64–66 days later | Blood tests your vet runs during her heat |
| The first day of diestrus | 56–58 days later | Vaginal smears your vet reads |
From the Merck Veterinary Manual. If there were two matings, VCA suggests noting both dates.
Merck also notes that breed, how many litters she has had and the size of the litter can change the length a little. For most owners the mating date is all there is, and the honest answer is a two-week window. If your dog's breeding is planned with your vet, ovulation timing narrows it to a few days, which matters most if a cesarean may be needed.
A dog pregnancy calendar
The calculator above adds these milestones to the date you enter. Merck counts them in days of pregnancy, so from a mating date they're approximate.
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| About 18 | The embryos attach to the uterus. |
| About 21 | Small swellings along the uterus; a vet may be able to feel them. |
| From 22–27 | A relaxin blood test can detect the pregnancy. |
| 25–35 | Best time for an ultrasound, which also shows the puppies are alive. |
| 42–45 | The skeletons start to show on X-rays. |
| After 55 | The best time for an X-ray to count the puppies. |
| 58–72 from mating | Due dates; her temperature drops 8–24 hours before. |
Days from the Merck Veterinary Manual (pregnancy determination and whelping).
Feeding a pregnant dog
VCA's advice is to keep her food the same for the first two-thirds of the pregnancy, about six weeks after mating, then increase it gradually. In the last three weeks she may need up to one and a half times her usual amount, as smaller, more frequent meals, because the growing puppies press on her stomach. VCA recommends a food labeled for gestation and lactation or all life stages, and checking any supplements with your vet. The food calculator is for routine feeding only: for a pregnant or nursing dog, your vet should set the amounts.
Signs labor is near
Most dogs' rectal temperature drops to 98.1–100°F (36.7–37.8°C) 8–24 hours before whelping. Merck describes three stages of labor:
- Stage 1, 12–24 hours. The cervix opens. She may be restless, hide, make a nest, refuse food, vomit, pant or tremble. There's no visible straining yet.
- Stage 2, the puppies. Visible straining. Puppies usually come 30–60 minutes apart, and the whole delivery ideally takes about 7–9 hours, though it can be longer.
- Stage 3, the afterbirth. The placentas come out, and she moves back and forth between stages 2 and 3 until she's done.
When to call the vet
Before the due date, ask your vet whether she should have an X-ray to count the puppies. Knowing the number tells you when she's finished.
Cats are different
Cats are pregnant for a similar 60–67 days, but they ovulate in response to mating, so a mating date is more useful. See how long cats are pregnant.
Questions owners ask
How long are dogs pregnant in weeks?
About 9 weeks. VCA gives a normal range of 57 to 65 days, averaging 63. Counted from the first day the female allowed mating, the Merck Veterinary Manual gives a wider 58 to 72 days, because mating and conception can be days apart.
Can a dog be pregnant for 70 days?
Counted from the first mating, yes: Merck's range from the first day she permitted breeding runs to 72 days, because sperm can survive in the female for a week or more before the eggs are ready. Counted from the LH surge, the range is only 64–66 days. If labor hasn't started by the end of the window, call your vet.
How soon can you tell if a dog is pregnant?
Merck says a relaxin blood test can detect pregnancy after about 22–27 days, and ultrasound works best at 25–35 days. A vet may feel small swellings in the uterus at about 21 days, but VCA notes that the results of feeling the belly vary.
How can I tell how many puppies she will have?
An X-ray late in pregnancy is the most reliable count. Merck says the skeletons show from about day 42–45 and that an X-ray after day 55 is best for counting. Knowing the number tells you when she has finished delivering.
What are the signs labor is close?
Most dogs' rectal temperature drops to 98.1–100°F (36.7–37.8°C) 8–24 hours before whelping. In the first stage of labor she may be restless, nest, hide, refuse food, pant or tremble; Merck says this stage normally lasts 12–24 hours.