Dog Pregnancy Calculator

Guide

Signs your dog is pregnant

The first weeks of dog pregnancy are easy to miss. Here is what changes and when, which signs are unreliable, and how to confirm.

Updated October 2026 · Information only, not veterinary advice

Signs by stage

WhenWhat you may notice
Weeks 1–2Usually nothing. Behavior and appetite are normal.
Weeks 3–4Slightly smaller appetite or mild nausea; larger, pinker nipples; clear thin discharge; she may be clingy or sleepy.
Weeks 5–6Appetite returns and rises; weight gain begins; belly starts to fill out.
Weeks 7–9Obvious belly, you may see or feel puppies move; milk can appear; nesting begins close to labor.

Signs that are not reliable

  • Mood changes alone. Heat and false pregnancy cause the same changes.
  • Vomiting. It can be pregnancy but also many illnesses.
  • A bigger belly in the early weeks. Early growth is not visible.

How a vet confirms pregnancy

  • Ultrasound from about day 25 to 30 shows fetal heartbeats. It is not reliable for counting puppies.
  • Relaxin blood test detects a hormone produced in pregnancy and can be used from about day 25 to 30.
  • X-ray after about day 45 to 50 shows skeletons and gives a puppy count.

See ultrasound vs X-ray for how to choose, and use the calculator to plan the dates.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What are the first signs of pregnancy in a dog?

Often none for the first three weeks. Around weeks three to four you may see a mildly smaller appetite, larger and pinker nipples and a clear, thin mucus discharge. Behavior can also change: some dogs become clingy, others withdraw.

How soon can a vet confirm pregnancy?

Ultrasound can detect pregnancy from about day 25 to 30. A blood test that measures the hormone relaxin can also detect it from about this stage.

Can a dog be pregnant without showing signs?

Yes, especially early on or with small litters. Weight gain and a larger belly appear later, from about week six.

Could it be a false pregnancy?

Possibly. Dogs can show nesting, swollen mammary glands and even milk after a heat without being pregnant. Only a vet scan can tell the difference.

Keep reading

Related tools and guides

Dog pregnancy week by week

What happens, what to feed and when to see the vet, weeks 1 to 9.

False pregnancy in dogs

Why it happens, how to tell, and when to call the vet.

Ultrasound vs X-ray

What each scan can and cannot tell you, and when to book.

Sources