When dog pregnancy happens unplanned, the first question that comes to the mind is: How long are dogs pregnant? Before we start with all that theory, you should try this free dog pregnancy calculator. Let’s now move ahead with the theory.
How Many Days Is a Dog Pregnant
A dog is pregnant for approximately 63 days, but this can vary by several days. This question is not that easy to answer because sperm can survive inside the female for several days. The time of mating is not enough to calculate the exact dog gestation period. However, with the help of a vet, you can find out the exact length of the pregnancy.{1}
But, are you sure that your dog is pregnant?
Phantom Pregnancy in Dogs
Also known as ‘false pregnancy’ and ‘pseudo-pregnancy’, phantom pregnancy is the term referring to the motherly behavior combined with the physical signs like real pregnancy (only happens in unspayed female dogs).
These physical signs may begin to show 4 to 9 weeks after the previous heat period. There may be some serious symptoms as well such as mammary gland enlargement, with or without milk. Fatigue, occasional vomiting, and water retention are also not uncommon symptoms.
Phantom pregnancy may make your dog lose appetite, but there won’t be any weight loss due to water retention. These signs of false pregnancy are possible at any age. Severity of these symptoms may differ every time. In some cases, false labour is also possible. So, if this condition matches your dog, there is a possibility that no puppies are arriving soon.{2}
Dog Pregnancy Calendar
Well, now you know that if your dog is pregnant, you might get to see puppies within 2 months, approximately. Here is an explanation of dog pregnancy time duration:
Week 1: This is too early to do anything.
Week 2: Still too early, but if your dog is out of heat, you can start with the regular schedule of walking, feeding, grooming, etc.
Week 3: Now, the embryo must have attached itself to the lining of the uterus; but you may continue doing the regular feeding, walking, etc as usual. However, you must keep a track of her appetite, as it might increase. You may use the food tracker for that.
Week 4: Visit your vet to confirm the pregnancy. Some body parts should be formed by now such as eyes, paws, etc.
Week 5: First stage of gestation is called embryogenesis, which ends at around 35 days. The second stage begins and organs start to form. This is the time when it can be called a fetus.
Week 6: Your dog enters the third stage of gestation at around day 42. This is the final stage, when the fetus starts to look like a puppy.
Week 7: Now hair starts to become visible and bones solidify. At this point, a vet consultation is healthy to ensure that there are no parasites, worms, or anything else that can cause trouble.
Week 8: Your dog may start lactating by now.
Week 9: Puppies may crawl out any time now. Keep a check on your dog; she might get irritated easily during this time. She will look for a quieter place to settle her nest.{3}
Some Advice
Meanwhile, you may use this pregnancy calculator for dogs to find out the expected due date. This calculator will tell you the expected dog due date with the earliest and maximum possible due dates as well. So yes, this calculator can also be called a dog due date calculator. You must consider downloading our dog pregnancy calculator app. This app includes a lot of features in addition to the pet pregnancy calculator.
Download DuePet’s iOS App Now Download DuePet’s Android App Now
DuePet is not just a pet pregnancy app, but a complete pet management app. You may use it as a dog pregnancy app, given it’s so many features. As a dog pregnancy tracker app, DuePet will give you all the required reminders. Make the best use of this app as your dog pregnancy calendar app.
Sources
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/how-long-are-dogs-pregnant/
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/false-pregnancy-or-pseudopregnancy-in-dogs
- https://woofdog.org/stages-of-dog-pregnancy
FAQs
A dog is usually pregnant for less or more than 2 months.
To find out if your dog is pregnant, check if the appetite has increased. In the case of false pregnancy, your dog might show all signs of real pregnancy, except the appetite.
At 4 weeks of dog pregnancy, some body parts are formed such as eyes, first vertebrae, and head.
It is not healthy for a dog to give birth more than 3 times in its lifetime.
