Dog pregnancy week by week: what happens and what to do
Updated October 31, 2026 · 2 min read · by the PupCurve editorial team
A dog's pregnancy runs about nine weeks, and for the first few of them there is very little to see. This is a guide to what's going on, what to do at each stage, and when to stop reading and phone the vet.
First, the dates
Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center gives an average of 63 days from ovulation. From the first breeding date it's much looser: 63 days plus or minus 7. The Merck Veterinary Manual says 58 to 72 days from the first time the female accepted the male, and 64 to 66 days from the LH surge or first progesterone rise. Treat any date from a breeding as a window. The dog pregnancy calculator works it out for any of the three starting dates.
Weeks 1 to 3: nothing to see
Fertilised eggs travel to the uterus and implant around the end of week three. Keep her routine and food the same. Check with your vet before giving any new medicine, flea product or vaccine. Some bitches have a clear discharge or a day or two of reduced appetite around week three or four.
Week 4: confirm
A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound from about day 25 to 30. A blood test for relaxin is another route. Book it, since knowing early lets you plan food, space and costs.
Weeks 5 to 6: the puppies grow fast
Her waist begins to thicken and her nipples may darken and enlarge. Fetuses grow quickly from here, and by the end of week six the energy demands rise. Many vets suggest moving to a higher-energy puppy diet in the last third of pregnancy and feeding smaller meals more often as her belly leaves less room. Ask yours what suits her.
Week 7: count the puppies
An X-ray from around day 45 shows the puppies' skeletons, which gives a count. That number matters in labour: you know when she's finished, and when to worry that a puppy is stuck.
Week 8: make a nest
- Set up the whelping box in a quiet, warm, draught-free room. Let her sleep in it for a week or two beforehand.
- Gather supplies: a digital scale that reads in grams, clean towels, a heat source, a rectal thermometer, collars or coloured ties to mark the puppies, a notebook, and your vet's emergency number.
- Check the opening hours and route to the nearest 24-hour clinic.
Week 9: take her temperature
From around day 58 many breeders take her temperature twice a day. A drop to about 99 F (37.2 C) or lower often comes within a day of labour. She may stop eating, pant, and shred the bedding. Cornell says those nesting signs usually come 6 to 12 hours before birth but can last 24 to 36.
Labour: when to call
Cornell's guidance: each puppy usually takes 0 to 30 minutes to be born, and up to two hours between puppies can be normal. Contact your vet if more than two hours pass between puppies, or if you think she's in trouble. Also call for green discharge with no puppy, strong straining with nothing arriving, or a female who is weak, feverish or in obvious distress.
After the birth
Weigh each puppy at birth and then daily for the first two weeks. The newborn puppy weight gain guide explains what normal looks like and when a dip needs a call.
Questions people ask
How can I tell my dog is pregnant?
Early signs are subtle. A vet can confirm with ultrasound from about day 25 to 30. Weight gain, enlarged nipples and a thicker waist show up from around week five.
How long is a dog pregnant?
About 63 days from ovulation. From the first breeding the window is 58 to 72 days.
What should I feed a pregnant dog?
Keep her normal food for the first two thirds. Many vets suggest a higher-energy puppy diet in the last third. Ask your vet to set the amounts.
When should I call the vet during labour?
If more than two hours pass between puppies, if she strains hard with no puppy, or if she looks unwell. Know the number of a 24-hour clinic in advance.
Sources
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about a puppy, call your vet. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency clinic.