Pregnancy Guide
Dog Pregnancy
Week by Week
From fertilisation to the first breath — a complete breeder's guide to all 9 weeks of canine pregnancy.
~63 days
Average gestation
9 stages
Covered in detail
Day 28
Earliest confirmation
Jump to week
Understanding canine gestation
Dog pregnancy lasts approximately 63 days from ovulation — but most breeders count from the mating date, which creates variability. Whelping anywhere between Day 58 and Day 68 is considered normal.
The 9-week journey from fertilisation to birth is surprisingly fast. In the first 3 weeks, there are no outward signs at all. By Week 5, growth accelerates dramatically. By Week 7, the puppies are fully formed — just growing larger and preparing to breathe air.
Use the Whelping Date Calculator to get your exact predicted due date, and the Gestation Calculator to track where you are in the timeline right now.
Fertilisation & Cell Division
The Dam
No visible signs. The dam acts completely normal. Fertilisation occurs within the first 24–48 hours after mating. Eggs travel toward the uterine horns while beginning to divide.
Puppy Development
Sperm meets egg and a zygote forms. Cells begin dividing rapidly — from 2 to 4 to 8 cells. By day 7, the embryos are tiny blastocysts floating freely in the uterine fluid, not yet implanted.
What to do this week
- Record the exact mating date(s) — this anchors your entire timeline
- Keep the dam calm and avoid high-impact exercise
- Do not start any medications or supplements without vet guidance
- Ensure she is on a complete, high-quality diet
Implantation Begins
The Dam
Still no outward signs. Some dams experience a very subtle appetite change or become slightly clingy, but this is not universal.
Puppy Development
The blastocysts travel down the uterine horns and begin implanting into the uterine wall around day 12–14. Each embryo nestles into its own implantation site. The placenta begins to form.
What to do this week
- Continue normal feeding — no caloric increases yet
- Avoid unnecessary stress, boarding, or travel
- Do not give flea/tick products unless already prescribed and confirmed safe during pregnancy
- Note any subtle behaviour changes
Embryos Develop Rapidly
The Dam
Some dams experience mild 'morning sickness' — reduced appetite, occasional vomiting, or lethargy. This is progesterone-driven and usually passes by Week 4.
Puppy Development
Major organ development begins. The embryos grow to about 1 cm. The nervous system, spinal cord, and basic body structures start forming. The heartbeat may be detectable by ultrasound toward the end of this week.
What to do this week
- If your dam is off food, offer small, frequent meals
- Schedule a vet appointment for Week 4 ultrasound confirmation
- Begin researching whelping supplies if you haven't already
- Start tracking her weight weekly
Digital Whelping Thermometer
Accurate rectal thermometer for monitoring the dam's temperature drop before labour — the most reliable sign whelping is within 24 hours.
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Pregnancy Confirmed by Ultrasound
The Dam
The abdomen may feel slightly firmer. Nipples begin to enlarge and become more pink ('pinking up'). Appetite usually returns after the Week 3 dip.
Puppy Development
Embryos are now approximately 1.5–2 cm. Facial features begin forming — eyes, nose, and limb buds are visible. Organ systems continue developing rapidly. Heartbeats are detectable by ultrasound.
What to do this week
- Schedule and attend your Week 4 ultrasound — confirms pregnancy and estimates litter size
- Begin a gradual calorie increase (about 10% more than baseline)
- Switch to a high-quality puppy or all-life-stages food if not already
- Note pup count from ultrasound (not perfectly accurate, but a useful estimate)
Royal Canin Mother & Babydog Food
Formulated for pregnant and nursing dogs — supports fetal development, milk production, and dam recovery throughout the whelping period.
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Rapid Growth Phase
The Dam
Noticeable weight gain begins. Abdomen becomes visibly rounder. Nipples are clearly enlarged. Appetite increases significantly. The dam may become more tired.
Puppy Development
The embryos are now called fetuses. Toes, claws, and whisker pads form. The puppies' sex organs develop this week. By end of Week 5, each pup is about 2.5–3 cm. Skeletal structure begins mineralising.
What to do this week
- Increase food by 25–30% over baseline — divide into 3 meals per day
- Ensure fresh water is always available
- Reduce strenuous exercise — gentle walks are ideal
- Begin setting up the whelping area so the dam can become familiar with it
Puppies Become Recognisable
The Dam
Significant abdominal enlargement — you may feel puppy movement if you place your hand gently on her belly. She may begin nesting behaviour. Colostrum can sometimes be expressed from nipples.
Puppy Development
Puppies now look like miniature dogs. Pigmentation begins in the skin. Eyes are formed but fused shut. The skeleton continues hardening and can now be detected on X-ray (though 45+ days is more reliable for counting).
What to do this week
- Consider a mid-pregnancy vet check to confirm all is progressing normally
- Worm the dam with a vet-recommended wormer safe for pregnancy (e.g. fenbendazole/Panacur)
- Begin assembling your whelping kit — this is urgent now
- Limit rough play with other dogs
Complete Whelping Kit
All-in-one kit with clamps, bulb syringe, thermometer, scale, and essentials for managing delivery day. Better than sourcing individually at the last minute.
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Puppies Are Fully Formed
The Dam
Obvious, heavy abdomen. The dam will move more slowly and tire easily. Nesting behaviour intensifies. She may refuse food 24 hours before labour. You may see and feel individual puppy movements clearly.
Puppy Development
All major organ systems are complete. The puppies are just growing larger and their lungs are maturing for air-breathing. Hair coat develops. Brain activity is present. Each pup has a detectable heartbeat and distinct paw pads.
What to do this week
- Schedule a Day 45–50 X-ray for an accurate pup count — crucial to know when whelping is complete
- Confirm whelping area is clean, warm (85–90°F for newborns), and private
- Have your emergency vet number saved — know what a C-section threshold looks like for your breed
- Begin taking daily rectal temperature readings
Breeder's Edge Colostrum Supplement
Colostrum supplement to support newborn immune function — particularly useful for large litters where not all pups get adequate first milk.
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Pre-Whelp Preparation
The Dam
The dam enters pre-whelp mode. She may isolate herself, pant frequently, dig, shred bedding, or refuse food. Her abdomen may appear to 'drop' slightly as puppies shift into position. Milk may come in.
Puppy Development
Puppies are large and fully developed. Their lungs are maturing and they are turning into birthing position. Average gestation is 63 days — but births between Day 58 and Day 68 are considered normal in most breeds.
What to do this week
- Take rectal temp twice daily — a sustained drop below 99°F (37.2°C) signals labour within 12–24 hours
- Set up a monitoring station near the whelping box
- Prepare puppy supplies: heating pad, clean towels, iodine, weight scale, milk replacer on standby
- Alert your vet that birth is approaching
Breeder's Edge Foster Care Milk Replacer
Have this stocked before the first puppy arrives. If a pup isn't nursing or the dam is overwhelmed, this is the milk replacer most breeders trust over Esbilac.
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Whelping Day
The Dam
Active labour begins with visible contractions. Each puppy is typically born 20–60 minutes apart. The dam will tear the sac, sever the cord, and stimulate each pup by licking. Placentas are delivered with each pup or shortly after.
Puppy Development
Puppies arrive! Newborns weigh anywhere from 100g (small breeds) to 500g+ (large breeds). They cannot regulate their own temperature and rely entirely on the dam and environment. Eyes and ears are sealed shut.
What to do this week
- Keep a written log: time born, birth order, weight, any complications, placenta passed (yes/no)
- If the dam misses a sac, tear it yourself from the nose first within 30–60 seconds
- Weigh each puppy at birth and again at 12 and 24 hours
- If a pup isn't nursing within 2 hours, assist or tube-feed
- Contact your vet immediately if: active straining for >30 min with no pup, or >4 hours between pups
Puppy Tube Feeding Kit (5Fr)
Essential for any pup that isn't nursing. A 5Fr feeding tube and syringe gives you the ability to supplement weak or small-birth-weight puppies safely.
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After whelping — essential supplies
The first 72 hours are critical. These are the products experienced breeders keep on hand before the first puppy arrives.
Nemex-2 Liquid Dewormer
Pyrantel pamoate — the standard for deworming pups at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Nearly universal among responsible breeders.
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Breeder's Edge Foster Care Milk
Top-rated puppy milk replacer. Have it stocked before whelping — if a pup isn't nursing or the dam is overwhelmed, you'll be glad you have it.
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Tools for this pregnancy
Plan every stage with free calculators
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Frequently asked questions
How long is a dog pregnant?
The average gestation period is 63 days from ovulation, but normal whelping can occur anywhere from Day 58 to Day 68. The variability is partly because the exact moment of ovulation is rarely known precisely.
When can pregnancy be confirmed?
Ultrasound can confirm pregnancy and detect heartbeats from around Day 25–28. Blood relaxin testing can confirm pregnancy from Day 21–25. X-rays are not recommended before Day 45 as the skeleton isn't yet mineralised.
What are the first signs of dog pregnancy?
Early signs are subtle: nipple enlargement beginning around Week 3–4, mild appetite changes, and slightly increased clinginess. By Week 5–6, visible abdominal swelling becomes apparent. The most reliable confirmation is a vet ultrasound at Day 28.
How much should I feed a pregnant dog?
For the first 4 weeks, maintain normal feeding. From Week 5, gradually increase intake by 25–50% over the final third of pregnancy. Switch to a high-quality puppy or all-life-stages formula. Divide meals into 2–3 feedings daily.
What exercises are safe during dog pregnancy?
Gentle daily walks are ideal throughout pregnancy. Avoid high-impact activities, jumping, rough play, and prolonged exertion from Week 5 onwards. In the final two weeks, short, calm walks are preferable.
When should I set up the whelping box?
The whelping box should be introduced by Week 6–7 at the latest. The dam needs time to become comfortable with it as her safe space before labour begins.
What is the temperature drop before whelping?
Normal canine rectal temperature is 101–102.5°F (38.3–39.2°C). In the 12–24 hours before active labour, it typically drops below 99°F (37.2°C). Taking twice-daily temperature readings from Day 57 onwards allows you to catch this drop reliably.