Expecting a new litter? Here's how long dogs typically spend pregnant, plus how to tell.
Is your dog pregnant and you’re left wondering when your home might be overrun by a litter of puppies? Taking care of a pregnant dog might put you on edge every day, but learning about the gestation period can help you plan and stay prepared for any hurdles.
Knowing how long dogs are pregnant can also help you arrange for the adoption of the newborn pups if you’re planning not to keep them. According to the American Kennel Club, a normal size litter for dogs can be between one to 12, with five to six pups being the average litter size among all breeds.
How long are dogs pregnant?
According to PetMD, dogs are pregnant for about 63 days or a little over two months from the time of ovulation. If the ovulation timing is unknown or cannot be determined, the due date may range from 58-68 days from the day of breeding.
It’s advisable to get your dog checked by a vet to determine the ovulation timing and overall health to see if it’s fit for pregnancy before going further.
Provide proper nutrition: Which foods are safe (and dangerous) for your pup
How to tell if your dog is pregnant
It has become easy for humans to check if they’re pregnant, but that’s not the case for dogs. To check if your dog is pregnant, the assistance of a veterinarian is needed. It's also important for dog owners to note the exact date and time of breeding, or at least an estimate to give to the vet before the dog is tested for pregnancy. This is because all the methods for pregnancy testing in dogs are time sensitive.
Hormone tests, palpation, ultrasound and X-ray are the procedures to determine if your dog is pregnant. The best procedure for your dog can be determined by your vet, depending on the canine's stage of pregnancy.
Do dogs live long?: Dog life expectancy based on breed and size
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How old is Google?" to "How much food should I feed my dog?" to "How many Pokemon are there?", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dog gestation period: Here's how long dogs are pregnant, how to tell
