Enter the litter’s birth date to get dated milestones: eyes opening, deworming, weaning, first vaccines and the earliest go-home day.
Disclaimer: General schedule only. Your vet will set the exact deworming and vaccine plan for your litter.
| Age | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Birth – day 4 | Room 85–90°F. Weigh daily. |
| 1 week | Birth weight about doubled. Room about 80°F by days 7–10. |
| 1–2 weeks | Eyes open (see your vet if not by day 14). |
| 2 weeks | First deworming, then every 2 weeks. |
| 3–4 weeks | Weaning starts with a soft gruel. |
| 4–6 weeks | Eating food with little or no added water. Room about 72°F. |
| 6–8 weeks | First vaccines and vet check. |
| 8 weeks | Earliest recommended go-home age. |
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals; deworming schedule from the Companion Animal Parasite Council, as quoted by VCA.
Most vets recommend puppies stay with their mother and littermates until at least 8 weeks old. Many US states also require puppies to be at least 8 weeks old before they are sold.
At about 3–4 weeks old, starting with a soft gruel of puppy food.
At about 6–8 weeks old. Your vet may start earlier if the puppies didn't nurse well in their first days.
Every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks old, as your vet advises.
Due date, pregnancy week and a dated timeline from the mating date.
Open calculator →Predict her next heats and the typical fertile days.
Open calculator →Best breeding days from the first day of her heat.
Open calculator →Turn your vet's progesterone results into breeding dates.
Open calculator →Countdown to labor, prep checklist and a puppy delivery log.
Open calculator →The right box size for your dog, with a layout diagram.
Open calculator →Check each newborn puppy is gaining weight normally.
Open calculator →How many puppies to expect for her size.
Open calculator →Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals – Raising Puppies. This page is general information, not veterinary advice. Read our veterinary disclaimer.