Pet Gestation Chart
Household pets have short pregnancies. A dog is pregnant for about 63 days, a cat for about 64 days and a rabbit for about 31 days. Because the whole pregnancy lasts weeks rather than months, a few days of uncertainty matters, so confirm the mating date and prepare the nesting area early.
| Species | Average days | Range | Months | Young |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | 31 | 28–33 | 1.0 months | 4-12 kits |
| Dog | 63 | 58–68 | 2.1 months | 1-12 puppies |
| Cat | 64 | 61–67 | 2.1 months | 3-5 kittens |
What these animals have in common
Pet species give birth to litters of small, helpless young that are born blind, deaf and unable to regulate their own temperature. That pattern is the reverse of livestock: development is finished in the nest rather than in the uterus, so gestation is short and the demanding period is nursing rather than pregnancy. Owners usually know a mating date only approximately, which is the single largest source of error in a pet due date. Progesterone testing in dogs narrows the window from about a week to roughly two days, and an ultrasound from around day 25 confirms the pregnancy and rough numbers. Litter size matters too: a large litter typically arrives a day or two early, while a single puppy or kitten may run late and sometimes needs veterinary help. Prepare a quiet whelping or queening box a full week before the earliest date, keep the routine unchanged, and know the signs that labour is not progressing.
Species pages in this group
Frequently asked questions
Figures are averages from published data. Individual animals vary, and results are for planning rather than veterinary advice.