Quick answer: This dog pregnancy week by week guide covers all nine weeks. The embryos settle into the uterus in weeks 1 to 3, a vet can confirm the pregnancy in weeks 4 and 5, her belly grows in weeks 5 to 7, and the puppies are born in week 9 or soon after.
All weeks below are counted from the day of mating, and each one lists the dog pregnancy signs you may see that week. Because conception can happen a few days later, treat each week as a guide, not a deadline.
Dog pregnancy week by week: weeks 1 to 3
Week 1 (days 0–7)
Mating happens, and the eggs are fertilized in the tubes leading to the uterus. Nothing shows on the outside. Keep her normal routine and do not start any new medicines without asking your vet.
Week 2 (days 8–14)
The tiny embryos reach the uterus about 10 to 11 days after fertilization. For the next week they float freely before they attach. She still looks and acts normal.
Week 3 (days 15–21)
The embryos implant in the wall of the uterus around days 16 to 18. By about day 21, each one makes a small swelling that a vet may be able to feel. A few dogs eat less or seem tired at this point.
Weeks 4 to 6: confirming and growing
Week 4 (days 22–28)
This is the week to book a vet check. A relaxin blood test works from about days 22 to 27, and an ultrasound becomes reliable from about day 25. The scan shows each puppy’s heartbeat. Her nipples may start to look larger and pinker.
Week 5 (days 29–35)
Ultrasound is still at its best. The swellings in the uterus double in size about every week. Her belly may begin to round out, and her appetite often picks up.
Week 6 (days 36–42)
Her belly is now easy to see in most dogs. The swellings blend together, so a vet can no longer feel them one by one. Ask your vet whether and when to switch her to a growth or puppy food.
Weeks 7 to 9: the final stretch
Week 7 (days 43–49)
Puppy skeletons start to show on X-rays from about days 42 to 45, and clearly by days 47 to 48. Keep her away from unfamiliar dogs for the last three weeks to lower the risk of infection. Set up the whelping box so she can get used to it.
Week 8 (days 50–56)
You may see the puppies moving under her skin. After day 55, an X-ray gives the best count of how many to expect. From about day 56, take her rectal temperature twice a day and write each reading down.
Week 9 (days 57–63 and beyond)
The puppies’ lungs mature in these last days. When her temperature drops to about 98.1–100°F, labor usually starts within 8 to 24 hours. She may stop eating, pant and dig at her bedding. Births from day 58 to day 72 after mating are normal, so do not worry if day 63 passes quietly. Check the dates for your dog with the dog pregnancy calculator.
Dog pregnancy timeline at a glance
Print this table and keep it near her bed as a simple whelping chart.
| Week | Inside her | What you may see | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fertilization | Nothing | Note the mating dates |
| 2 | Embryos reach the uterus | Nothing | Keep her routine |
| 3 | Implantation, days 16–18 | Maybe a smaller appetite | No new medicines |
| 4 | Heartbeats on ultrasound | Pinker, larger nipples | Vet check |
| 5 | Rapid growth | Belly starts to round | Ask about diet |
| 6 | Swellings merge | Clear belly, bigger appetite | Weigh her weekly |
| 7 | Bones begin to harden | Steady weight gain | Whelping box ready |
| 8 | Puppies near full size | Movement, maybe milk | X-ray count, temperature checks |
| 9 | Lungs mature | Nesting, temperature drop | Vet number ready |
How to care for her through each stage
- Food: keep her usual diet early on. Most dogs need more food in the last third of pregnancy, so ask your vet how and when to increase it.
- Exercise: normal walks are good. Cut out rough play and jumping in the last few weeks.
- Medicines: check every flea, worm or other treatment with your vet first.
- Space: give her a warm, quiet whelping area at least a week or two before her window opens.
The vet tests mentioned above are explained in more detail in this guide to pregnancy checks in dogs. If you are still unsure she is pregnant, start with how to tell if your dog is pregnant.
Frequently asked questions
Which week does a pregnant dog start to show?
Most dogs start to look pregnant around weeks 5 and 6. Dogs carrying small litters, and large or deep-chested dogs, may not show until week 7 or later.
When can you see puppies moving?
Usually in week 8, when the puppies are almost full size. You may see ripples along her sides when she is lying down and relaxed.
Why are the weeks counted from mating?
Mating is the date most owners know. Conception can happen a few days later, so every stage on this page may arrive a little later than the calendar suggests. See how long dogs are pregnant for the full explanation.
When should I set up the whelping box?
By week 7, or at least one to two weeks before day 58. That gives her time to sleep in it and accept it as her nest.
Is it normal for a pregnant dog to stop eating?
A short dip in weeks 3 and 4, and again in the last day before labor, is common. If she refuses food for more than a day at other times, or vomits repeatedly, call your vet.
Do all dogs follow this exact timeline?
No. Each dog and litter is a little different, and the start date is never exact. The order of events stays the same, but each can come a few days earlier or later.