Dog pregnancy week by week
A dog is pregnant for about 63 days, normally 57 to 65. A vet can confirm puppies from weeks 3 to 4, her food stays the same until about week 6, and an X-ray around week 7 counts the puppies.
Week by week, from the day she was bred
Days 1–20 · week 1–3
Keep her food and her routine as usual: food stays the same for the first two-thirds of pregnancy.
Days 21–27 · week 3–4
An ultrasound may show puppies from about 3 weeks, and a vet may feel them at 3 to 4 weeks — but results this early vary.
Days 28–41 · week 4–6
From day 28 an ultrasound is reliable. A blood test (relaxin) can miss a pregnancy when done too early or with only 1 or 2 puppies.
Days 42–48 · week 6–7
After about 6 weeks, start to give her more food, a little at a time — up to 1.5 times her normal amount in the last 3 weeks.
Days 49–56 · week 7–8
Around week 7, an X-ray is the most accurate way to count the puppies — so you know how many to expect.
Days 57–65 · week 9–10
Her window. Take her temperature: below 99 °F (37.2 °C) usually means puppies within 24 hours.
Call your vet when
•
Day 65 after breeding passes with no puppies. From a breeding early in her heat she may carry longer — your vet can tell.
•
Strong straining goes on for more than 30 minutes with no puppy.
Her due date
Questions
How early can a vet tell if a dog is pregnant?
An ultrasound can show puppies as early as 3 weeks, and scans after day 28 are reliable.
When should a pregnant dog eat more?
After about 6 weeks. Increase her food gradually, up to 1.5 times the normal amount in the last 3 weeks.
How do you know how many puppies she will have?
An X-ray around week 7 is the most accurate way to count them.
How long is a dog pregnant?
About 63 days, normally 57 to 65.
Sources
Last checked September 30, 2026. A common guide — your vet’s plan wins.
More answers
Remembers every animal’s due date and reminds you before each job — the pregnancy check, the pen, the watch. Coming to the App Store this winter.