Dog Pregnancy Calculator

Dog Pregnancy Calculator

If you have just confirmed that your dog is pregnant  or believe that she is one of the first things you would like to know is, When will the puppies be born? This is when a dog pregnancy calculator comes to your aid.

Dogs have incredibly predictable gestation periods unlike human pregnancies. The typical canine pregnancy lasts six weeks or 63 days since the time of ovulation . By knowing this figure and the date of mating, you can make all sorts of plans from prenatal care, to setting up a whelping box, adjusting your doggy’s diet and preparing for signs of going into labor.

How Does a Dog Pregnancy Calculator Work?

A dog pregnancy calculator is quite simple; all you do is input the date of mating (or date of ovulation if your vet determined it), and get your estimated due date by adding six weeks (or 63 days).

FORMULA

Estimated Due Date = Date of Mating + 63 Days (±3-4 Days)

In case you have information regarding ovulation date, the figure will be more accurate.

The calculation is done in this way because canine pregnancy from ovulation period is highly consistent and lasts 63 days (±1 days). However, since most breeders base on the first mating day, the typical range can fall between 58 and 68 days from first mating.

Don’t be alarmed if your pregnant dog gives birth one or two days after the prediction in the calculator; this range falls within the average variation, which is absolutely fine.

To get a more accurate calculation, you can request a progesterone test or vaginal cytology (smear) from your vet to determine ovulation date.

Three Phases of Pregnancy in Dogs

The pregnancy period in dogs can be separated into three main trimesters, each one lasting approximately three weeks.

WEEK 1-3
First Trimester
Fertilization and attachment. Embryos migrate to uterine horns. Not much noticeable on your dog’s side.

WEEK 4-6
Second Trimester
Development of puppies rapidly takes place. Organs, limbs, and body parts form. Noticeable roundness of your dog’s abdomen.

WEEK 7-9
Third Trimester
Puppies almost ready for birth. Lactation process begins. Nesting instinct activates. Birth coming soon.

WEEK-BY-WEEK DETAILED PHASES

Weeks 1-2

Development stage where the eggs undergo fertilization and begin traveling towards uterus. No changes observed in your dog, and special nutrition does not apply yet. Make sure you are minimizing any possible stressful situations.

Week 3

Stage when embryos attach to the uterus’ wall. Some dogs experience morning sickness-like symptoms such as vomiting or decreased appetite. They go away very soon.

Week 4

Development of fetuses starts here. It is important to check if your dog is pregnant through ultrasonic examination that can detect signs starting from day 25-28. Eyes, faces, and spinal cords are being formed now. Increase calorie intake.

Week 5

Stage where sexual differentiation begins, meaning puppies become recognizable as tiny dogs now. Abdomen starts getting bigger and hardening.

Week 6

Skin pigmentations and claws are developing now. Mammary glands get bigger too. This is the right moment to feed pregnant dog with a special puppy-formulated diet.

Week 7

Almost all puppies have completely formed now, and fur has covered their bodies. It is time to prepare a whelping box for them. You will notice your dog trying to search for secluded places for nesting.

Week 8

Stage where the development is finished and puppies start getting bigger and heavier every day. At this point, you might start feeling movement inside your dog’s uterus or even observe it. Number of puppies can be seen using X-ray examination at this stage.

Week 9

Labor approaches. Milk should start dripping from the dog’s nipples. Temperature drops to under 37.8 °C (100°F). Take temperatures of your dog daily during this phase.

Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs to Watch For

Increased appetite especially from week 4 onward as her nutritional demands rise.

• Weight gain and belly enlargement  gradual at first, then noticeable from week 5.
• Enlarged, darkened nipples one of the earliest visible signs, often noticeable from week 3.
• Behavioral changes  some dogs become more affectionate; others more withdrawn and protective.
• Nesting behavior  scratching at bedding, seeking quiet spots, dragging blankets around.
• Clear vaginal discharge  a small amount of odorless, clear discharge is normal in mid-pregnancy.
• Lethargy  especially in early weeks, your dog may tire more quickly than usual.

CALL THE VET

I you see any green, yellow, or foul-smelling discharge, significant weight loss, persistent vomiting, or signs of distress warrant an immediate vet visit at any stage of pregnancy.

Confirmation of Pregnancy

Dog pregnancy calculator provides you with the estimated due date but the confirmation of the pregnancy requires a visit to a veterinarian. 

Palpation (day 21-35): An expert veterinary practitioner can palpate the swellings of the embryo within the uterus. The period for such palpation is very limited and it becomes difficult to identify the swellings after the fifth week.

Ultrasound (day 25+): Ultrasound is considered as the most reliable technique to confirm the pregnancy. The ultrasound not only confirms the presence of the heartbeats but also gives an estimation regarding the number of puppies. It is less accurate than a radiograph method.

Relaxin blood test (day 25-30): Relaxin is a special hormone which is secreted during pregnancy. Blood tests can confirm pregnancy through day 25+.

Radiograph/X-ray (day 45+): After the skeleton development within the fetus, the radiograph can give you an exact count of puppies.

Care for Your Pregnant Dog

After using a dog pregnancy calculator and confirming pregnancy. Here are some guidelines for proper care during each of the nine weeks.

Diet: For the initial five weeks, stick to the regular diet of your dog. Weeks 5–6 should involve feeding your dog with good quality puppy food. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, small frequent meals are best as the puppies reduce the space available for feeding.

Exercising: Regularly exercise your puppy for the first six weeks, but not too intensely. After the sixth week, do not engage in any exercises that involve running or jumping.

Consultation: The vet will examine the health status of your dog and ensure everything is okay. A follow-up should be done at week 4–5 while the final consultation is done at weeks 7-8. In addition, this is also an excellent time for a litter count.

Whelping box: It is advisable to install the whelping box two weeks before birth. The box should be big enough to provide ample space to your pregnant dog. The whelping box must have low sides that can easily be stepped over and high enough to contain the puppies.

Vaccination and medication: It is recommended that you consult the vet to confirm the status of the vaccines of your dog before mating. Also, avoid administering non-prescribed medications such as dewormers, which might harm your dog or the puppies.

Symptoms of Labor

Temperature: Rectal temperature should be below 37.8°C (100°F), normally 38.3–39.2°C indicates that your dog will start whelping within 12–24 hours. Temperatures should be taken twice daily especially during the final week.

Restlessness: Restless behavior such as pacing, refusing food, pawing the bedding and discomfort marks the “nesting and pre-labor” phase. It takes 6–12 hours.

Visible contractions: The onset of visible contractions marks the onset of labor. Puppies usually come out 30–60 minutes apart. However, a gap of about 2 hours between each puppy is not abnormal.

EMERGENCY SIGNS

Puppies not coming for more than 2 hours, active straining without delivery  more than 30 minutes of hard straining without a puppy, green discharge prior to delivery, pain.

Reviewed by a Veterinary Expert
Canine Reproduction & Neonatal Care