Quick answer: A dog pregnancy lasts about 63 days, or nine weeks, from mating. A vet can confirm it from about day 25. Her belly grows from week 5 or 6, she needs more food in the last three weeks, and her temperature drops below 99°F about a day before the puppies arrive.
How does dog pregnancy work, start to finish?
Dog pregnancy runs about 63 days from mating, though anything from 58 to 72 days can be normal. The timing is hard to pin down because sperm can live in her for days before she ovulates. Our guide to how long dogs are pregnant explains the full range.
The pregnancy splits into three rough phases. Little shows in the first month. The second month brings a growing belly and appetite. The last week or two is about nesting and getting ready for birth.
How do you know she is expecting?
Early signs are easy to miss. Look for a change in appetite and nipples that turn pinker and larger. By week 5 or 6 her belly and weight usually start to rise. See how to tell if a dog is pregnant for the full list of signs.
To know for sure, ask your vet for a test. A relaxin blood test works from about day 22 to 27, ultrasound from about day 25, and X-ray from about day 45. The dog pregnancy test guide has a planner that turns her mating date into test dates.
Some unspayed dogs show all the signs without carrying puppies. If a test is negative, but she acts pregnant, read about false pregnancy in dogs.
How do you work out her due date?
Count about 63 days from the mating date. If she mated more than once, count from the first and the last mating to get a window. The dog pregnancy calculator does this for you and lists the dates for her tests, food change and whelping prep.
What changes as the weeks go by?
In weeks 1 to 3 the embryos travel to the uterus and attach. In weeks 4 and 5 the puppies’ organs form and a vet can see them. In weeks 6 and 7 they grow fast and their bones harden. In weeks 8 and 9 she gets ready to give birth.
| Weeks | What happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Embryos settle in the uterus | Keep her routine normal, avoid new medicines |
| 4 to 5 | Puppies’ organs form | Book a vet check to confirm |
| 6 to 7 | Fast growth, bones harden | Start raising her food slowly |
| 8 to 9 | Milk comes in, nesting starts | Set up the whelping box, take her temperature |
For a detailed look at each week, with what her body and the puppies go through, see the dog pregnancy week by week guide.
How do you care for a pregnant dog?
Keep her food the same for the first six weeks, then raise it slowly. By the last three weeks she may eat up to 1.5 times her usual amount. Split it into smaller meals as the puppies crowd her stomach. Many vets switch her to a puppy or growth food late in pregnancy.
- Exercise: keep up gentle daily walks, but let her set the pace and skip rough play and jumping late on.
- Medicines: ask your vet before giving any flea, worm or other treatment, even ones she has had before.
- Supplements: don’t add calcium or other supplements unless your vet says to. Too much calcium can cause problems around birth.
- Vet visits: plan one to confirm the pregnancy and one near the end, ideally with an X-ray to count puppies.
The VCA guide to pregnancy in dogs covers feeding and vet checks in more depth.
How do you get ready for the puppies?
Set up a whelping box in a quiet, warm room a week or two before the due date, so she gets used to it. Line it with washable bedding. From about day 57, take her rectal temperature twice a day. A drop below 99°F means puppies within about 24 hours.
Our dog labor signs guide covers each stage of birth and exactly when to call your vet. To know how many puppies to expect, read how many puppies a dog can have.
When can a dog get pregnant?
A dog can only get pregnant during her heat, which comes about every six months in most breeds. She bleeds for about the first 9 days, and her fertile days usually come after that. Our dog heat cycle guide explains each stage, and the dog heat cycle calculator predicts her next one.
All dog pregnancy guides
| Guide | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Dog pregnancy calculator | Find her due date and key dates |
| How long are dogs pregnant | Understand the normal range |
| How to tell if a dog is pregnant | Spot the signs at home |
| Dog pregnancy test | Choose and time a vet test |
| Week by week | Follow each of the nine weeks |
| How many puppies | Know the likely litter size |
| Dog labor signs | Know when birth is starting |
| False pregnancy | Tell a phantom pregnancy from a real one |
| Dog heat cycle | Learn when she is fertile |
| Dog heat cycle calculator | Predict her next heat |
Frequently asked questions
Can a pregnant dog have flea or worm treatment?
Only products your vet approves for pregnancy. Some are safe and some are not. Never guess, even with a product she has used before.
Should a pregnant dog get vaccines?
Ideally she is up to date before mating. Most vets avoid giving vaccines during pregnancy unless there is a strong reason. Ask your vet before any shot.
Can I bathe my pregnant dog?
Yes, gently. Use a mild dog shampoo, support her belly and keep her warm afterward. Avoid medicated shampoos unless your vet says they are safe.
Should I switch my pregnant dog to puppy food?
Many vets suggest it for the last few weeks, because puppy food packs more energy and nutrients. Change over slowly across a week to avoid an upset stomach.
How much weight should a pregnant dog gain?
It depends on her size and litter. Most of the gain comes in the last three weeks. Your vet can weigh her at checkups and tell you if she is on track.
Can a dog get pregnant again right after having puppies?
Not right away. She needs to come back into heat first, which usually takes months. Many vets advise giving her body time to recover before another litter.