Dog Pregnancy Calculator: Due Date and Gestation Timeline

Use the Dog Pregnancy Calculator

Enter mating date(s) or a confirmed ovulation date to see a due date, a realistic window, and a gestation timeline you can copy to your calendar.

How to Use Dog Pregnancy Calculator: Due Date and Gestation Timeline

1. Step 1: Select Mode

   Choose Mating date(s) for a practical due window or Ovulation for the most precise estimate.

2. Step 2: Enter Date(s)

   Pick one or more mating dates, or enter the confirmed ovulation date from a progesterone/LH test.

3. Step 3: Set Breed Size

   Optionally select your dog’s breed size to slightly widen or narrow the due window.

4. Step 4: Review Results

   See the estimated due date, due window, current gestation day/week, trimester, and care milestones.

5. Step 5: Save Timeline

   Tap Copy timeline to paste key dates into your calendar or notes.

Key Features

• Accurate due date estimator
• Detailed gestation timeline
• Stage-specific care reminders
• Ultrasound/X-ray timing guidance
• Copy-and-save timeline

Understanding Results

Formula

When you provide an ovulation date (from progesterone or LH testing), the estimated due date (EDD) is calculated as: EDD = Ovulation Date + 63 days. Most dogs whelp on day 63 ± 1 from ovulation. If you provide mating date(s), the calculator shows a practical due window based on common clinical guidance: Earliest ≈ Breeding + 58 days and Latest ≈ Breeding + 68 days (using the earliest and latest dates if multiple matings were recorded). A midpoint gives a single‑date estimate you can plan around.

Reference Ranges & Interpretation

The 63‑day convention is widely referenced in veterinary texts for timing from ovulation, with real‑world variation of roughly a day on either side. Counting from breeding introduces uncertainty, because ovulation and fertilization can occur before or after mating. That’s why our dog pregnancy calculator presents both a specific EDD and a realistic window. If your dog passes the late edge of the calculated window without labor — or shows unusual discharge, distress, or illness — contact your veterinarian promptly. Ultrasound is typically useful around days 28–32, while X‑rays (day 55+) can help estimate litter size before whelping.

For background, see mainstream veterinary references (e.g., Merck Veterinary Manual) which discuss canine gestation timing, ultrasound and radiography windows, and decision points late in pregnancy.Merck Veterinary Manual.

Assumptions & Limitations

This tool is an educational planner, not a diagnostic device. It assumes a healthy singleton or multi‑pup pregnancy with no fertility interventions beyond normal breeding and progesterone timing. Breed size can shift timing by a day or two; litter size, maternal age, and individual variability also play roles. If your dog is outside the projected window, appears uncomfortable, or stops progressing during labor, call your veterinarian. We do not store dates or results — everything runs in your browser.

Complete Guide: Dog Pregnancy Calculator: Due Date and Gestation Timeline

Use our dog pregnancy calculator to predict a due date and see a stage‑by‑stage gestation timeline. Plan care with ultrasound/X‑ray timing, reminders, and tips.

At a glance: planning with the window

• Ovulation known: expect whelping near day 63 (±1) — tighter planning.
• Breeding dates only: use the 58–68 day window and prepare a week early.
• Milestones: ultrasound ~day 28–32; X‑ray ~day 55; gather whelping supplies early.

What the timeline means day‑to‑day

The due date is a headline; the window is your planning space. Use the dog pregnancy calculator: due date and gestation timeline to time scans, gather supplies, and begin daily readiness checks as the early edge approaches.

How accurate is the dog pregnancy calculator?

Our dog pregnancy calculator estimates a due date and whelping window based on either breeding (mating) dates or a confirmed ovulation date. When you know the exact day of ovulation — usually determined by a progesterone blood test or LH surge testing — the estimate is tight: most dogs whelp about 63 days after ovulation (often between days 62 and 64). When you use breeding dates instead, timing is a bit less precise because ovulation may have occurred earlier or later than mating. For that reason, we show a practical window from 58 to 68 days after the recorded mating, which aligns with common clinical guidance.

This tool is built for planning and education. It cannot diagnose pregnancy, guarantee litter size, or replace veterinary care. Use it to set reminders, prepare supplies, and know when ultrasounds or X‑rays are typically most informative. If your dog passes the late edge of the calculated window without signs of labor — or shows anything concerning at any stage — contact your veterinarian promptly.

How long are dogs pregnant?

Canine gestation is short compared with humans. From ovulation, pregnancy lasts about 63 days on average. If you count from a mating date, most bitches will whelp between 58 and 68 days later. The difference comes from biology: eggs are not ready to be fertilized immediately after ovulation, and sperm can survive for several days inside the reproductive tract. That means conception may happen a day or two after mating, which shifts the clock.

Litter size, breed size, and individual variation can nudge timing a day or so in either direction. Our calculator includes a simple breed‑size selector so you can account for this small variability. If you need help timing breedings in the future, our Dog Heat Cycle Calculator can be useful for understanding fertile windows and managing expectations before progesterone testing.

Two reliable ways to estimate the due date

You can estimate a due date using one of two inputs. Choose the method that matches your records and how your veterinarian confirmed the pregnancy.

1) Ovulation date (most accurate): If you have a progesterone test (or LH surge) that identified ovulation, add 63 days to that date. Most dogs deliver on day 63 ± 1. Our tool automatically shows a narrow window across days 62–64 and generates key care milestones (ultrasound, X‑ray, whelping prep) based on that anchor.

2) Mating date(s) (practical window): If you recorded one or more breeding dates but you don’t know the day of ovulation, use our multi‑date input. We compute a due‑date window from the earliest breeding to the latest, spanning roughly days 58–68. The midpoint gives a single estimated due date, while the full window reflects realistic early and late whelpings. If you bred across two or three days, include all of them — your window will be more informative than a single date.

Gestation week‑by‑week: what to expect

The following is a friendly, plain‑English guide to typical development and care throughout a normal canine pregnancy. Individual dogs vary. Use these notes to frame conversations with your veterinarian and to guide everyday prep so you and your dog feel ready.

Weeks 1–3 (days 1–21): After ovulation, eggs mature and become ready for fertilization. Early embryos travel to the uterus, implant around day 16–18, and begin to form placentas. Most bitches do not look different. Energy needs remain normal. Keep activity gentle and enjoyable. No new vaccinations during this time unless your vet specifically instructs you. If you plan ahead for nutrition changes, our Dog Food Calculator can help you estimate sustainable calories by body weight and life stage.

Week 4 (days 22–28): Many owners notice subtle appetite shifts or mild lethargy. This is when an ultrasound can usually confirm pregnancy and fetal heartbeats (day 28–32 is typical). Avoid heavy lifting and rough play. If your bitch seems off food briefly, offer smaller, more frequent meals. Our Dog Weight Calculator is handy for monitoring healthy weight trends across pregnancy and nursing.

Weeks 5–6 (days 29–42): Puppies grow quickly. Many bitches start to show a little abdominal rounding. Appetite usually increases. Now is a good time to review your whelping plan and gather supplies: whelping box, clean towels, digital thermometer, scale, hemostats, bulb syringe, and contact details for your vet and after‑hours emergency care.

Planning milestones between scans

Weeks 7–8 (days 43–56): Fetal skeletons mineralize and become visible on X‑ray around day 55. Your vet can often count skulls and spines to estimate litter size. Begin gentle acclimation to the whelping area so your dog associates it with comfort.

Week 9 (days 57–63+): Nesting behaviors increase. Milk may be present. Start twice‑daily temperature checks at consistent times. A drop of about 1°F (≈0.5°C) often precedes labor within 12–24 hours, but not in every dog. Keep your vet’s number visible. If your dog is past the late edge of the window with no labor, or appears distressed, get help immediately.

Planning the due window vs. a single date

Treat the midpoint due date as a headline and the early/late edges as practical guardrails. Book scans and supplies with the midpoint in mind, but start daily readiness checks as the early edge approaches. The dog pregnancy calculator shows all three so you can stay prepared without stress.

Veterinary care & scan timeline

A well‑timed scan schedule helps confirm pregnancy, estimate litter size, and anticipate delivery. Every clinic has its own approach, but many follow a similar cadence:

• Ultrasound (day 28–32): Confirms pregnancy and heartbeats; can’t reliably count pups.
• X‑ray (day 55+): Counts skulls/spines and helps you anticipate whelping logistics.
• Wellness checks: Your vet may recommend deworming protocols and gentle flea/tick management appropriate for pregnancy and your region.

If you are planning breedings in the future, pre‑breeding wellness, timing, and cycle tracking are just as important as pregnancy care. For cycle tracking, see our Dog Heat Cycle Calculator to understand estrus phases and expected return to heat.

Nutrition, weight, and exercise during pregnancy

Most bitches do not need extra calories in the first half of pregnancy. From about week five, calorie needs can climb by 20–40% depending on litter size and body condition. Always introduce changes gradually and prioritize a complete, balanced diet designed for pregnancy and lactation. Use our Dog Food Calculator to sanity‑check portions by weight and activity level, and our Dog Weight Calculator to monitor trends. Avoid overfeeding to the point of obesity — excess weight makes whelping harder and increases health risks.

Keep exercise light to moderate: easy walks, short play sessions, and gentle engagement. Skip intense jumping or scrambling on slick floors. If your dog struggles to maintain a healthy physique even outside of pregnancy, our Dog Size Calculator and Dog Age Calculator can help you contextualize expectations by breed and life stage.

Whelping prep and signs of labor

Prepare a quiet, draft‑free whelping area at least a week before the earliest due date in your window. Many owners use a low‑sided whelping box lined with layers of washable bedding and puppy pads. Keep clean towels, a scale sensitive to grams/ounces, a bulb syringe, hemostats, dental floss for tying umbilical cords if needed, and sterile scissors on hand. Tape your veterinarian’s phone number (and emergency clinic) on the wall.

Normal pre‑labor signs include nesting, restlessness, panting, loss of appetite, and a temperature drop of roughly 1°F (≈0.5°C). Stage I labor, which can last 6–12 hours, is not when puppies are delivered; it is the cervix dilating and the uterus preparing. Stage II involves active pushing and delivery of puppies. Most pups arrive 30–60 minutes apart; longer gaps can still be normal, but stay observant and keep your vet updated.

When to call the vet

Call your veterinarian right away for green/black discharge before a puppy appears, strong contractions for more than 30 minutes without a puppy, 2+ hours between puppies with no progress, a stuck puppy, or severe distress at any point. If your bitch reaches the late edge of the calculated due window with no signs of labor, ask your vet for guidance — some clinics recommend an exam or repeat X‑ray to assess.

After whelping: the first two weeks

The first days are busy but rewarding. Keep the environment warm (generally 85–90°F for neonates at first and then taper), weigh puppies daily at the same time, and track nursing. Mild vaginal discharge is normal in the dam for several weeks, but foul odor, fever, listlessness, or poor appetite warrant immediate veterinary care. For puppies, low weight gain, persistent crying, or cooling require prompt support.

As pups grow and you transition to weaning, use the Puppy Growth Calculator to set healthy expectations by breed size and age. Also, keep harmful human foods out of reach; if you suspect a dog ingested chocolate, our Dog Chocolate Toxicity Calculator helps estimate risk and actions to take next.

This guide and the calculator are for education and planning. They are not a substitute for veterinary advice or care. When in doubt, especially if your dog looks uncomfortable or deviates from expected timelines, call your veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions