From the mating date
Due date = mating date + 63 daysBecause sperm can survive for several days and ovulation timing varies, puppies usually arrive between day 58 and day 68 after mating.
Due date, week-by-week timeline and calendar reminders
Dog Pregnancy Calculator
This dog pregnancy calculator gives you your dog’s due date, the normal whelping window and a week-by-week timeline of vet checks and care, from the mating or ovulation date. It works for cats too.
Dog due date calculator
Pregnancy timeline
Key dates for vet checks, care and whelping preparation.
How it works
How a Dog’s Due Date Is Calculated
Dogs are pregnant for about 63 days, roughly nine weeks. The exact length depends on when the eggs were fertilised, which is why vets prefer ovulation timing over mating dates.
From the ovulation date
Due date = ovulation + 63 daysWhen ovulation is pinpointed with progesterone blood tests, most dogs whelp within a day or two of day 63, so the window narrows to days 61 to 65.
For cats
Due date = mating date + 65 daysCat pregnancies average about 65 days. Most queens give birth between day 61 and day 70 after mating.
Week by week
Dog Pregnancy Week by Week
What happens during each week of a dog’s pregnancy and how to care for her. Days are counted from the mating date.
| Week | Days | What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Days 1 to 7 | Fertilisation takes place. No visible changes. | Keep food and exercise normal. |
| Week 2 | Days 8 to 14 | Fertilised eggs travel to the uterus. | Avoid medicines unless your vet approves them. |
| Week 3 | Days 15 to 21 | Embryos implant at about day 18 to 20. Some dogs seem tired or off their food. | Offer small, frequent meals if appetite dips. |
| Week 4 | Days 22 to 28 | Ultrasound and relaxin tests can confirm pregnancy from about day 25. | Book a vet check. Avoid rough play and strenuous exercise. |
| Week 5 | Days 29 to 35 | Puppies grow quickly and organs form. Weight gain begins. | Start increasing food gradually. |
| Week 6 | Days 36 to 42 | Belly and nipples enlarge. Some dogs develop a clear vaginal discharge. | Switch to a high-quality puppy food. |
| Week 7 | Days 43 to 49 | Puppy skeletons harden. Belly hair may thin. | Ask about an x-ray after day 45 to count puppies. |
| Week 8 | Days 50 to 56 | Puppies can be seen and felt moving. | Set up the whelping box and gather supplies. |
| Week 9 | Days 57 to 63 and beyond | Nesting, restlessness and a temperature drop signal labour is close. | Check her temperature twice daily and stay nearby. |
Whelping
Signs of Labour and When to Call the Vet
Start taking your dog’s rectal temperature twice a day from about day 56. A drop below 99°F (37.2°C) usually means labour will start within 24 hours. Restlessness, nesting, panting, shivering and refusing food are other common signs.
- Strong straining for 30 minutes or more without a puppy being born.
- More than 2 hours between puppies when you know more are still to come.
- Green or black discharge before the first puppy is born.
- No labour by day 68 after mating, or within 24 hours of the temperature drop.
- Heavy bleeding, collapse or extreme distress at any point. Call your vet straight away.
Why ours
Why This Dog Pregnancy Calculator Is Better
Most pregnancy calculators show a single date. Breeders and owners need a plan.
Due date and full window
See the most likely date plus the earliest and latest normal days, so you are ready from the start of the window.
Ovulation timing
Enter a progesterone-confirmed ovulation date for a tighter, more accurate prediction than the mating date alone.
Live timeline
Every milestone, from ultrasound to temperature checks, is dated and marked done, current or upcoming.
Calendar reminders
Download every milestone as a calendar file for Google, Apple or Outlook calendars in one tap.
Multiple matings
Add the last mating date and the window widens automatically to cover both possible conception dates.
Share with your vet
Send a link to your vet, co-owner or puppy buyers that opens the same dates and timeline.
Guide
How to Use the Dog Pregnancy Calculator
You only need one date. Everything updates instantly.
- Choose dog or cat
Pick your pet so the right pregnancy length and milestones are used.
- Pick the date you know
Choose mating date, or ovulation date if your vet confirmed it with progesterone testing.
- Add a second mating if needed
If she was mated more than once, turn on the switch and enter the last mating date.
- Check the timeline
See which vet checks and care steps are coming up and what to expect this week.
- Save the dates
Tap Add to calendar to save every milestone, or share the link with your vet.
Benefits
Benefits of Tracking Your Dog’s Pregnancy
Knowing the dates helps you protect the mother and her puppies at every stage.
Book vet checks on time
Ultrasound, palpation and x-ray work best in specific windows. The timeline tells you exactly when to book.
Feed her correctly
Nutrition needs rise sharply in the last third of pregnancy. Knowing the week helps you increase food at the right time.
Be ready for whelping
Set up the whelping box, supplies and temperature checks before the window opens, not on the night puppies arrive.
Plan for the puppies
Schedule time off, line up homes and even pick names with the random name picker. Track ages later with the dog age calculator.
FAQ
Dog Pregnancy FAQ
How long are dogs pregnant?
Dogs are pregnant for about 63 days, or nine weeks, counted from ovulation. Counted from the mating date, puppies are usually born between day 58 and day 68 because the exact day of fertilisation varies.
How do you calculate a dog’s due date?
Add 63 days to the mating date for an estimate, or add 63 days to the ovulation date confirmed by progesterone blood tests for a more precise date. If she was mated more than once, the window covers both dates.
How accurate is a dog pregnancy due date?
A due date from the mating date is usually accurate to within about five days, because sperm can survive in the female for several days. A due date from a progesterone-timed ovulation date is usually accurate to within one or two days.
How can I tell if my dog is pregnant?
A vet can confirm pregnancy with an ultrasound or a relaxin blood test from about day 25, by feeling the belly around day 28 to 35, or by x-ray after about day 45. Enlarged nipples, weight gain and a growing belly usually appear from about week five.
What are the signs of labour in dogs?
The most reliable sign is a drop in rectal temperature below 99°F (37.2°C), which usually means labour will start within 24 hours. Restlessness, nesting, panting, shivering and refusing food are also common signs.
How many puppies will my dog have?
The average litter is about five to six puppies, but size depends heavily on breed. Small breeds often have one to four puppies and large breeds can have seven or more. An x-ray after about day 45 gives the most accurate count.
When should I call the vet during whelping?
Call your vet if she strains strongly for 30 minutes without a puppy, if more than two hours pass between puppies when more are expected, if you see green or black discharge before the first puppy, if labour has not started by day 68, or if there is heavy bleeding.
What should I feed a pregnant dog?
Keep her normal diet for the first five weeks, then increase food gradually, by about 10% a week, using a high-quality puppy food. By whelping she may eat 25% to 50% more than usual. Do not add calcium supplements unless your vet advises it.
How long are cats pregnant?
Cats are usually pregnant for 63 to 67 days, with an average of about 65 days. Most give birth between day 61 and day 70 after mating. Pink, swollen nipples, known as pinking up, often appear around day 15 to 18.
Plan Every Step Until the Puppies Arrive
Use the dog pregnancy calculator to set your dates, then keep track of everything else with our free pet and date tools.
Find the due dateThis calculator gives estimates for planning only and is not veterinary advice. Always confirm pregnancy and care plans with your vet.