Blog · Dog pregnancy
Dog Pregnancy Week by Week
A week-by-week guide to dog pregnancy: foetal development, the dog's changing behaviour, feeding, and the vet visits to book at each stage.
Published 2026-10-13 · Try the Dog Pregnancy Calculator
Weeks 1–2: fertilisation and implantation
After mating, fertilised eggs travel to the uterus and implant around day 14–16. There are no outward signs. Keep feeding and exercise exactly as normal — no supplements needed yet.
Week 3: confirmation becomes possible
Around day 21–25 a vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound and the tiny heartbeats may be visible. Some dogs show mild nausea or go off their food for a few days — 'morning sickness' is real in dogs too.
Week 4: the vet can feel them
From about day 28, an experienced vet can feel the puppies by gently palpating the belly. A relaxin blood test (day 25–30) also confirms pregnancy. This is a good time to discuss the feeding plan with your vet.
Week 5: growth speeds up
Organs, claws and whiskers form. The belly starts to fill out and appetite climbs. Begin transitioning to a high-quality puppy or performance food as your vet advises, increasing portions gradually through the second half of pregnancy.
Week 6: she starts to show
The belly is clearly larger, teats enlarge and darken, and nesting behaviour — shredding bedding, seeking quiet corners — can begin. Reduce strenuous exercise but keep gentle daily walks.
Week 7: counting puppies
From day 45 an X-ray can count the puppies, which matters: you will know when labour is finished. Some hair loss around the belly is normal. Start preparing the whelping box now.
Weeks 8–9: nearly there
Milk may appear, the dog becomes restless, pants, and may refuse food. Take her temperature twice daily from day 58 — a drop below about 37.8°C (100°F) usually means labour within 12–24 hours. Read the signs labour is starting so you recognise them.
Try the calculator
Guides explain the rules; the tool does the maths. Dog Pregnancy Calculator gives you an instant, personalised answer.
FAQs
When should I take my pregnant dog to the vet?
As soon as you suspect pregnancy, then typically for an ultrasound around day 21–25 and an X-ray around day 45–55 to count puppies.
Can I walk my pregnant dog?
Yes — gentle daily walks throughout, avoiding strenuous exercise, rough play and slippery stairs in the last 3 weeks.
What should I not give a pregnant dog?
No medication, supplements or vaccinations without your vet's approval, and avoid raw diets and unpasteurised dairy because of infection risk.