Dog Whelping Due Date Calculator

The LH surge is the hormonal signal that triggers ovulation, occurring about 2 days before ovulation itself. From LH surge, whelping is about 57 days; from ovulation, about 63 days. Mating date is the least precise reference because sperm can survive several days, giving a 58-68 day window.

Your veterinarian performs a blood test to measure serum progesterone levels, typically starting around day 5-7 of the heat cycle. Rising progesterone indicates approaching ovulation. Serial testing every 1-2 days narrows the ovulation date to within 24-48 hours, giving much tighter whelping date predictions.

Begin twice-daily rectal temperature checks at day 58 from the mating date (or earlier if using LH/ovulation timing). Normal canine rectal temperature is 100.5-102.5°F (38-39.2°C). A sustained drop below 99°F (37.2°C) for more than 8 hours typically means labor will begin within 12-24 hours.

Call your veterinarian immediately if: strong contractions last more than 30-60 minutes with no pup delivered; more than 4 hours pass between pups when you know more are inside; green discharge appears before the first pup; a pup is visible but not delivered within 10 minutes; or the dam is in extreme distress or appears to collapse.