Welcome to the ultimate resource for expectant dog owners! We understand the excitement and concerns that come with a canine pregnancy. That's why we've created the best Canine Pregnancy Calculator to help you track your dog's pregnancy progress every step of the way.
Our easy-to-use calculator provides an estimated due date for your mated bitch by simply entering the date of the first mating. You'll also find a detailed calendar of what to expect week-by-week, giving you all the information you need to ensure a healthy and successful pregnancy for your furry friend.
If you have a pregnant dog or plan to breed your dog, you might be curious about how to calculate her due date and monitor her development. With our canine pregnancy calculator and calendar, you can easily find out when your furry friend will deliver her litter and what changes to expect in her body and behavior.
Just enter the date of the first mating and get an approximate date based on the average canine gestation period of 63 days. You can also use our canine pregnancy calendar to see the milestones and tips for each week of your dog's pregnancy. Whether you need to confirm your dog's pregnancy, prepare for the whelping process, or care for the newborn puppies, we have all the information and tools you need on this website. Just browse our page and find what you need.
See here for more information on caring for your dog during pregnancy.
How to calculate dog pregnancy?
If you are a proud owner of a pregnant pooch, you might be wondering how to calculate her due date and monitor her progress. With our canine pregnancy calculator, you can easily estimate when your furry friend will deliver her puppies by entering the date of the first mating. This will give you an approximate date based on the average canine gestation period of about 63 days. However, this can vary depending on the breed and individual factors, so it is always advisable to consult your vet for a more accurate diagnosis.
One of the ways to confirm and track your dog’s pregnancy is by using a canine pregnancy test kit. This is a simple and non-invasive method that measures the level of relaxin, a hormone that is only produced during pregnancy. You can perform this test at home by collecting a blood sample from your dog and sending it to a lab for analysis. The results are usually available within 24 hours. However, this test is not very reliable in the early stages of pregnancy, so you might want to wait until the third or fourth week after mating to use it.
Another way to check your dog’s pregnancy status and health is by using a canine ultrasound. This is a more accurate and detailed method that uses sound waves to create an image of your dog’s uterus and puppies. You can do this at a vet clinic or find a mobile service that can come to your home. An ultrasound can be done as early as 21 days after mating, but it is more effective after 28 days. An ultrasound can help you determine the number of puppies, their size, heartbeat, and position. It can also help you detect any abnormalities or complications that might affect your dog or her litter.
Once you have confirmed your dog’s pregnancy, you can use a canine pregnancy calendar to keep track of her development and milestones. A pregnancy calendar is a handy tool that shows you the changes that occur in your dog and her puppies week by week or day by day. You can use our printable dog pregnancy calendar to mark important dates and events, such as vet visits, ultrasounds, tests, supplements, etc. A pregnancy calendar can also help you prepare for the whelping process, which is the term used for giving birth in dogs.
Whelping can be a stressful and challenging time for both you and your dog, so it is essential to be ready and well-informed. You can use our canine whelping calculator to estimate when your dog will go into labor by entering her breed and the date of ovulation or conception. This will give you a more precise date than the pregnancy calculator, as different breeds have different gestation periods. You can also use our dog whelping kit checklist to make sure you have all the necessary supplies and equipment for safe and smooth delivery.
However, sometimes things don’t go as planned and your dog might experience a false pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. This is a condition where your dog shows signs of being pregnant, such as enlarged mammary glands, milk production, nesting behavior, weight gain, etc., but she is not actually carrying any puppies. This can happen due to hormonal imbalances or psychological factors. You can use our canine false pregnancy calculator to determine if your dog is having a false pregnancy by entering her breed and the date of her last heat cycle. This will tell you how likely it is that she is experiencing this condition and how long it will last.
As you can see, there are many aspects and factors involved in canine pregnancy, gestation, whelping, and beyond. That’s why we created this website to provide you with all the tools and information you need to take care of your pregnant dog and her puppies. Whether you need a canine pregnancy calculator, a dog gestation calculator, a dog due date calculator, a canine pregnancy test kit, a canine ultrasound service, a canine pregnancy calendar, a canine whelping calculator, a dog whelping kit checklist, or a canine false pregnancy calculator, we have it all here for you. Just browse our website and find what you need.
If you suspect that your dog may be pregnant, it’s important to check the signs of dog pregnancy. For most females, breeding is recommended between the tenth and fourteenth day of estrus, although ovulation can occur earlier or later. It’s typical to schedule two matings, 24 to 48 hours apart.
Using our dog pregnancy calculator, we can estimate that gestation typically lasts around 63 days, but can vary between 58 to 68 days.
If you know the mating date, your vet can confirm the pregnancy 28 days later through a palpation test.
If the mating date is unknown, a simple and painless ultrasound can estimate the gestational age and due date.
Additionally, X-rays can be taken later in the pregnancy to see the puppies’ development, and your vet may check the level of relaxin hormone to confirm pregnancy.
Dog due date, labor, and pregnancy
Dogs can get pregnant between the ages of 2 to 6 years, with their highest fertility occurring during their second or third heat, which occurs every 5 to 11 months. During pregnancy, the dog will consume more food and gain weight. Lab tests may show anemia and elevated white blood cell count, but it’s important to note that false pregnancies are common in dogs.
Several factors can affect the number of puppies, including the dog’s breed (large dogs typically give birth to 8-12 puppies while small dogs have 1-4), amount of the male’s sperm, breeding time, the health of the female, and the dog’s uterus condition from previous pregnancies.
By using our dog gestation period calculator, you can track the development of your dog’s pregnancy and estimate when labor will begin. During labor, your dog’s temperature will decrease by 33.8°F. You may notice an increase in thirst and rapid breathing. As time nears, your dog may become restless and start to gather her toys in a safe and quiet place.
Some care tips for pregnancy and childbirth
When the due date approaches, it’s crucial to prepare beforehand. Keep sterile gloves and sterilized scissors on hand, and have a bottle with prepared formula ready.
Once you have determined the due date for your new litter of puppies using the pregnancy calculator, it is important to follow these guidelines for their well-being:
- Avoid giving your pregnant dog certain medications, such as antibiotics or antifungal treatments. Inform your vet about the pregnancy as soon as possible. Pregnancy complications in dogs can range from minor issues to serious health risks, making it important to seek veterinary care throughout the gestation period.
- Ensure that your dog is eating enough food, especially during the second month of gestation, when she should consume 20-25% more than usual. By the end of pregnancy, the amount should increase to 50%, and during lactation, she should eat twice as much as usual.
- Puppies will begin to open their eyes after 8-10 days, but they won’t be able to see shapes until day 18. If they have difficulty with nursing, help guide them to their mother’s nipples.
- It’s important to keep puppies away from chocolate and other sweet treats, as they can be toxic. For additional information on potential hazards, please refer to our post regarding the toxicity of chocolate to dogs.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your new puppies have a healthy start to life. We hope our puppy’s due date calculator has been helpful in preparing you for their arrival!
How to care for your pregnant dog and her puppies
Pregnancy is a special and delicate time for both you and your dog. It is important to provide your dog with proper nutrition, exercise, grooming, and veterinary care throughout her pregnancy. Here are some general tips on how to care for your pregnant dog and her puppies:
Feed your dog a high-quality, balanced diet that meets her increased nutritional needs. You may need to increase her food intake gradually as her pregnancy progresses, especially in the last few weeks. Avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your dog, as both can cause health problems for her and her puppies.
Provide your dog with fresh water at all times: Make sure she has access to clean water in a bowl that is easy to reach and drink from. Avoid giving your dog milk, coffee, tea, alcohol, or any other beverages that are not water.
Exercise your dog regularly but moderately: Avoid strenuous or vigorous activities that could harm your dog or her puppies, such as jumping, running, or playing fetch. Instead, opt for gentle walks or play sessions that keep your dog active but not exhausted. Avoid exposing your dog to extreme temperatures or weather conditions that could stress her out.
Groom your dog carefully and gently: Brush your dog’s coat regularly to keep it clean and free of mats and tangles. Trim your dog’s nails if they are too long or sharp. Check your dog’s ears, eyes, teeth, and skin for any signs of infection or irritation. Bathe your dog only when necessary with mild shampoo and warm water.
Visit your vet regularly for check-ups and tests: Your vet can monitor your dog’s health and pregnancy status, perform ultrasounds or x-rays to confirm the number and size of the puppies, detect any complications or abnormalities, and advise you on how to prepare for the whelping process. Follow your vet’s recommendations on vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick prevention, and any other medications or treatments for your dog.
Prepare a whelping box or area for your dog: A whelping box or area is a safe and comfortable place where your dog can give birth and nurse her puppies. It should be large enough for your dog and her litter, but not too big that the puppies can wander off. It should be clean, dry, warm, and well-ventilated. It should be lined with soft bedding that can be easily changed or washed. It should be located in a quiet and secluded part of your home, away from other pets, children, or distractions. You should also have some supplies ready for the whelping process, such as towels, scissors, gloves, a thermometer, a scale, disinfectant, and emergency phone numbers.
Watch for signs of labor and delivery: Your dog will usually go into labor within 24 hours of her temperature dropping below 99°F (37.2°C). Some signs of labor and delivery include restlessness, panting, shivering, digging, nesting, licking her vulva, loss of appetite, vomiting, or discharge from her vulva. The delivery process can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the number and size of the puppies. Each puppy will be born in a sac that your dog will break and clean. The puppies will be attached to the placenta by an umbilical cord that your dog will bite off. You should intervene only if your dog is having trouble or complications, such as prolonged labor, excessive bleeding, weak or stillborn puppies, or retained placenta. If you notice any of these problems, contact your vet immediately.
Care for newborn puppies: The newborn puppies will need your dog’s milk and warmth for the first few weeks of their life. Make sure they are nursing well and gaining weight. Check them for any signs of illness or injury, such as diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, limping, or crying. Keep them away from other pets, children, or strangers until they are vaccinated and socialized. Follow your vet’s advice on when to deworm, vaccinate, microchip, spay or neuter, and wean the puppies.
We hope you find our canine pregnancy calculator and calendar useful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us or comment below. We would love to hear from you.