How long are dogs and cats pregnant?
Dogs: about 63 days from ovulation. Because ovulation and breeding don't always line up, Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center gives 63 days plus or minus 7 from the first breeding, so anywhere from about day 56 to day 70 can be normal. Progesterone testing to pin down ovulation narrows that to about 1 to 2 days.
Cats: about 63 to 65 days, roughly nine weeks, though some run into the tenth week.
Signs labor is close
In dogs, rectal temperature (normally 100 to 102.5°F) often drops below 99°F within 24 hours of birth, Cornell notes, though the drop can be missed. Nesting, restlessness and panting usually start 6 to 12 hours before the first puppy. Cats start nesting about two weeks before birth; give her a box with low sides and soft bedding in a quiet spot.
When to call the vet
Dogs: if more than two hours pass between puppies, if she strains hard without producing a puppy, or if there's foul-smelling discharge. Cats: if she strains for 60 minutes without a kitten, cries out in pain, or goes past the tenth week without labor. For either, call any time something seems wrong. Plan a vet check early in the pregnancy too.
Questions
How long is a dog pregnant?
About 63 days from ovulation, or 63 days plus or minus a week from the first breeding date.
How long is a cat pregnant?
About 63 to 65 days, roughly nine weeks. Some pregnancies run into the tenth week.
When can a vet confirm a cat pregnancy?
Ultrasound can usually confirm it from about day 25. X-rays to count kittens aren't done before about day 42 and are often taken nearer day 55.
- Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, Normal whelping process
- WebMD Pets (vet reviewed), Cat pregnancy and gestation
Last reviewed October 20, 2026. Estimates for healthy pets only, not veterinary advice.