Enter your pet's species and the mating date to instantly calculate the expected due date range and key pregnancy milestones — from first heartbeat to whelping.
🗓️ Enter Mating Details
Use the first confirmed mating date
🐣 Expected Due Date
📅 Pregnancy Milestones
Gestation Periods by Species
Species
Avg. Days
Range
Typical Litter
🐕 Dog
63
58–68 days
1–12 puppies
🐈 Cat
64
60–70 days
2–6 kittens
🐇 Rabbit
31
28–35 days
4–12 kits
🐹 Guinea Pig
68
59–72 days
1–6 pups
🐹 Hamster (Syrian)
16
15–18 days
6–12 pups
🐹 Hamster (Dwarf)
18
16–21 days
4–8 pups
What to Expect During Pregnancy
Whether you are breeding dogs, cats, or small animals, regular veterinary monitoring is essential throughout pregnancy. Key milestones and what to watch for:
🔵Week 1–3 (Dog/Cat): Fertilisation and implantation. No visible signs yet. Maintain normal nutrition.
🔵Week 3–4: Vet can confirm pregnancy via palpation or ultrasound. Foetal heartbeats visible by day 25.
🔵Week 5–6: Abdomen noticeably enlarging. Nipple development and milk production begins. Increase nutrition.
🔵Week 6–7: X-ray can count foetal skeletons. Prepare whelping/kittening box. Begin nesting encouragement.
🟡Final 24–48 hours: Body temperature drops below 37.8°C / 100°F (dogs). Restlessness, nesting, refusal of food.
🔴Whelping day: Active labour. Contact vet if >2 hours between births or mother shows distress.
⚠️ Important: This calculator provides estimates based on typical gestation periods. Actual delivery dates vary. Always work with a licensed veterinarian for pre-natal care, especially for first-time mothers or high-risk breeds.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
The average dog gestation period is 63 days (range 58–68 days) from the date of mating. This is approximately 9 weeks. Signs of impending labour include nesting behaviour, temperature drop below 37.8°C (100°F), and milk production 24–48 hours before delivery.
Cat gestation averages 63–65 days (range 60–70 days). Kittens born before day 58 are considered premature. Signs of labour include vocalization, nesting, and restlessness 24–48 hours before birth.
Schedule a vet exam 3–4 weeks after mating to confirm pregnancy. An ultrasound can detect foetal heartbeats as early as day 25. Around week 6, X-rays can count the number of offspring. Contact your vet immediately if labour lasts more than 2 hours between births.