Whelping is one of those events that goes smoothly for most dogs and, when it does not, becomes urgent quickly. The best preparation is early and practical: know when to expect it, have the space and supplies ready, have your vet’s numbers to hand and know what would make you pick up the phone. This checklist takes you from the mating date to the day itself, with a timeline, a supply list, a records sheet and the points to discuss with your vet. It is general information, not a substitute for veterinary advice; your vet is the right person to plan the whelping for your dog.
Know the dates
The central figure for dog gestation is about 63 days, with a normal window of 58 to 68 days when counted from mating. The window exists because it is hard to know exactly when ovulation and conception happened relative to the mating. The Dog Pregnancy Calculator turns a mating date into the expected date and window, and the Dog Pregnancy Week Calculator tells you what week she is in. Our guides on how long dogs are pregnant and dog pregnancy week by week explain the counting.
A worked example: a mating on 1 October. Day 58 is 28 November, day 63 is 3 December and day 68 is 8 December. Prepare to be ready from 28 November, expect 3 December as the centre and call your vet if there is no labour by 8 December, or sooner if anything worries you. If there were two matings, work out the window from both and expect birth in the combined range; your vet can refine it with an ultrasound.
A timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After mating | Note the dates; book a vet visit for confirmation |
| About day 25 onward | Pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound or a blood test, as your vet advises |
| Weeks 4 to 6 | Ask the vet about food and exercise; plan the space |
| Week 7 | Set up the whelping space; introduce the dog to it |
| About a week before day 58 | Gather supplies; save numbers; arrange who will be on hand |
| Day 58 onward | Be ready; watch for signs; keep your phone close |
| Day 63 | Expected date; no need to panic if nothing happens yet |
| Day 68 | Call your vet if no labour has begun |
The weeks are a general pattern; your vet will fine-tune them. Ask when your dog should have a pre-whelping check and whether an X-ray late in pregnancy is planned to count puppies.
The whelping space
Choose a space that is quiet, warm, clean, away from other pets and visitors, and easy for you to reach and observe. A whelping box is common: it has sides to keep puppies close and a low front for the mother to step out. A normal crate is usually too small; see what size crate a dog needs for how to think about size, and ask your vet for advice on the box. Let your dog get used to the space well before the due date so that she chooses it herself.
Points to check:
- Draught-free and at a comfortable temperature; ask your vet about warmth for newborns.
- A non-slip floor.
- Washable bedding, with spares.
- A place for you to sit and watch quietly.
- Easy access to outside for toilet breaks.
- No hazards, such as gaps behind furniture where a puppy could get stuck.
Supplies to gather
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Clean towels and spare bedding | Drying, cleaning, changing |
| A kitchen scale (grams) | Weighing newborn puppies |
| A notebook or sheet | Times, weights, notes |
| A thermometer for the room | Keeping the space comfortable |
| Rubbish bags and cleaning supplies | Clean-up |
| Gloves and hand wash | Hygiene |
| A warm, safe place for puppies | If you need to move them briefly |
| Your vet’s number and out-of-hours number | Emergencies |
| A way to transport the dog and puppies | A carrier or box and a lift |
| Water and food for the mother | She will need them |
Ask your vet what else they recommend for your dog. Do not give medicines or supplements without advice.
Records to keep
Records protect the puppies and help the vet.
| Item | What to write |
|---|---|
| Dates | Mating, scan, expected window, birth |
| Labour | Times of first signs, each puppy, placenta if seen |
| Puppies | Number, sex, markings, birth time, weight |
| Mother | Appetite, behaviour, discharge, temperature if your vet asks |
| Feeding | Whether each puppy nurses, weights daily |
A table makes it easy.
| Puppy | Marking | Birth time | Weight at birth (g) | Weight day 1 (g) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 |
A puppy that is not gaining weight is a reason to call the vet.
Signs that labour is near
Signs vary by dog, and your vet can tell you what to expect. Commonly described signs include restlessness, nesting, reduced appetite, panting and, in the last day or so, a drop in body temperature if you are taking it as your vet advised. Do not rely on any one sign. If you are unsure, call the practice.
When to call the vet
Ask your vet in advance for a list of triggers, and keep it by the phone. Typical reasons to call include:
- Labour that does not progress, or long gaps with strong straining and no puppy.
- A puppy visibly stuck.
- Green or bloody discharge without a puppy following, or heavy bleeding.
- The mother appears very unwell, weak, collapses or has seizures.
- The due window has passed with no signs of labour.
- A puppy is not breathing or not nursing.
- Anything that worries you.
If in doubt, call. Whelping problems can become urgent quickly, and your vet would rather hear from you early.
After the birth
Check that each puppy is warm, nursing and gaining weight. Keep the space clean and quiet. Offer the mother food and water, and ask your vet about her diet while nursing. Weigh puppies daily at first, and record the weights. Our Puppy & Kitten Age Calculator will track their ages in days and weeks, and we have guides on feeding puppies from weaning, starting with the puppy feeding chart. Arrange a post-birth check for mother and puppies with your vet.
Helpers and household
Decide who will be on hand and who will cover if you are at work. A quiet household with few visitors helps. Keep children and other pets away from the whelping area, and explain why. Plan for the time off, since whelping can take many hours and the first days with newborns are demanding.
Common mistakes
- Not planning the space until labour begins.
- Counting from the wrong date.
- Not having the vet’s numbers ready.
- Giving medicines or supplements without advice.
- Interfering too much, or not at all.
- Ignoring a puppy that is not feeding.
- Not keeping records.
Questions to ask your vet
- What is my dog’s expected due window?
- Should we scan or X-ray before the birth?
- What should I have ready?
- When should I call you?
- How do I reach you out of hours?
The whelping kit in a box
Pack everything into one box so you can find it in the middle of the night.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Clean towels (6 or more) | For drying and bedding |
| Disposable bed pads | Absorbent liners |
| Kitchen scale (grams) | For weighing puppies |
| Notebook and pen | Times, weights |
| Hand wash and gloves | Hygiene |
| Torch | In case of power cuts or a dark room |
| Rubbish bags | Clean-up |
| Vet’s number and out-of-hours number | Written down, not only in your phone |
| Carrier or box | Transport |
| Water and snacks for you | A long night |
Keep other items, such as medicines or equipment, for use only as your vet instructs. Ask your vet whether there is anything specific they want you to have.
Roles on the night
If you have a family or helpers, decide in advance who does what. One person stays calm with the mother, another keeps the notes and a third looks after other pets and children. Having a driver who can take you to the vet at short notice is wise. Make sure everyone knows the vet’s number and what makes you call. Keep the room quiet and dim.
After the last puppy
When you think labour is over, talk to your vet about when to bring mother and puppies in for a check. They may want to confirm that all puppies and placentas are out. Offer the mother a light meal and water, and let her rest. Keep an eye on her temperature, discharge and appetite as your vet advises. Record the number of puppies, their sexes and weights. Then settle down with the family and enjoy the quiet; the next weeks will be busy.
Questions for the pre-whelping appointment
Take this list to your vet.
- What is the expected due window, and how sure are we?
- Do you recommend an X-ray or ultrasound to count the puppies?
- What should my dog eat now and after the birth?
- What are the signs that labour has started?
- How long can she strain or rest between puppies before I call?
- What do I do about the placentas and the umbilical cords?
- How do I reach you out of hours?
- When should the puppies and mother be checked after the birth?
- When should the puppies start vaccinations and worming?
- What do you advise about neutering and future litters?
Write the answers on your whelping sheet.
Looking after yourself
Whelping can take hours and involves long waits. Have food, drinks and a chair. Arrange for someone to take over if you need rest. Keep your phone charged and the vet’s number saved. Stay calm: your dog takes cues from you. After the birth, expect disturbed sleep for several days, and share the tasks if you can.
Quick summary
- Expect birth about 63 days from mating, with a window of 58 to 68.
- Set up a quiet, warm, clean whelping space well before the earliest date.
- Gather supplies, vet and out-of-hours numbers and a records sheet.
- Weigh and record each puppy; watch that all are warm and nursing.
- Call the vet early for labour that stalls, distress, discharge without a puppy or the window passing.
- Use the Dog Pregnancy Calculator for the dates.
Frequently asked questions
When will my dog give birth?
About 63 days from mating, with a normal window of 58 to 68 days. A vet can refine the date with scans.
What do I need for whelping?
A quiet, warm, clean whelping space, bedding that can be changed, towels, a scale, a record sheet, your vet's numbers and a plan for emergencies.
When should I prepare the whelping area?
A couple of weeks before the earliest due date, so your dog has time to get used to it.
Should I stay with her?
Be nearby and calm. Ask your vet how much to intervene and when to call.
When should I call the vet during whelping?
If labour does not progress, if she seems distressed or unwell or if anything worries you. Ask your vet for signs in advance.
Do I need to weigh the puppies?
Weighing newborns daily at first helps spot puppies that are not thriving. Ask your vet what to record.
What if the due window passes?
Call your vet. Day 68 or later with no signs of labour needs a check.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Management of Reproduction in Dogs and Cats
- Concannon P.W. (2011) Reproductive cycles of the domestic bitch. Animal Reproduction Science 124:200-210
Related calculators
- Dog Pregnancy Due Date CalculatorEstimate your dog's due date and the normal whelping window.
- Dog Pregnancy Week CalculatorSee which day and week of pregnancy your dog is in, counted from the mating date, and how many days remain.
- Puppy & Kitten Age CalculatorFind your puppy's or kitten's exact age in weeks, months and days from its birth date.
Keep reading
- How Long Are Dogs Pregnant? Due Date GuideDog pregnancy lasts about 63 days from ovulation and 58 to 68 days from mating. Learn how to count, what is normal and when to call the vet.
- Dog Pregnancy Week by WeekDog pregnancy week by week from the mating date: day ranges for each week, a worked calendar, tasks and vet questions for each stage, and when to call the vet.
- How to Tell if Your Dog Is PregnantHow to tell if a dog is pregnant: early signs, why they are unreliable, ultrasound from about 25 days, the relaxin blood test, phantom pregnancy and what to do next.
- Dog Heat vs Phantom Pregnancy: What Is Going On?How to tell a dog in heat from a phantom pregnancy: the timeline after a heat, signs of false pregnancy, why only a vet can tell it from real pregnancy.