Length of Gestation for a Dog

The gestation period of an animal usually varies in length based on its size and complexity. An elephant has a gestation period of two years, a horse has a gestation period of roughly a year and a cat has a gestation period of only two months. The dog is unusual, however, in that no matter how large or how small the animal, its gestation period remains the same.

  1. Gestation Period

    • Dogs typically have a 63-day long pregnancy. This period is often described as being 63 days, plus or minus three to five days, due to the length of time during which the female dog is fertile. The 63 days represent the average canine gestation period. If a female dog is successfully bred early during the time of standing heat -- the period in which she is fertile and is willing to be bred -- then the pregnancy might seem longer than 63 days. If she is successfully bred well into the period of fertility, then her pregnancy might seem shorter.

    Beginning of Gestation

    • A dog's pregnancy is considered to have started when she is mated for the first time during her standing heat. Few signs confirm early pregnancy in a dog. There might be some change in the female's appetite, although it may increase or decrease depending on the dog. In addition, her nipples might become more pronounced and her vulva may remain more swollen than is normal for the dog when she is not in heat. However, it may be possible for the veterinarian to palpate the female dog's abdomen after the end of the third week of pregnancy to determine if developing embryos are present. In the fifth week of gestation, the puppies' spines and skulls will appear in an X-ray or sonogram and in the seventh week of pregnancy the puppies' movement will be visible.

    End of Gestation

    • The end of gestation is characterized by the female dog going into labor. At some time during her eighth week of pregnancy or early into the ninth week, the female dog will start seeking out a place to have her puppies. Several days before giving birth, her abdomen will appear to sag, as her body makes the changes necessary to give birth. Gestation concludes when labor pains begin.

    Taking Care of a Pregnant Dog

    • The pregnant dog needs just a small amount of special care to make her comfortable. Make certain your dog eats all that she needs to maintain a healthy weight, but avoid feeding her so much that she becomes overweight. The average healthy female dog should not need supplements. Use them only under the guidance of an experienced reproductive veterinarian. It is also important to provide her with some mild exercise to maintain her muscle tone.