Gestation lengths at a glance
| Animal | Average | Normal range |
|---|---|---|
| Cow | 283 days | 279 to 292 by breed |
| Horse | 340 days | 320 to 370 |
| Goat | 150 days | 145 to 155 |
| Sheep | 147 days | 142 to 152 |
| Dog | 63 days | 58 to 68 |
| Cat | 64 days | 61 to 67 |
| Rabbit | 31 days | 28 to 35 |
Ranges are guides. Your vet's exam is the reliable way to confirm pregnancy and plan for the birth.
Gestation at a glance
Average days from breeding or mating to birth, with the usual range. Individual animals vary, and breed and litter size move the date.
| Animal | Average | Usual range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | 283 days | 279 to 292 days | Cow calculator |
| Horse | 340 days | 320 to 370 days | Horse calculator |
| Goat | 150 days | 145 to 155 days | Goat calculator |
| Sheep | 147 days | 142 to 152 days | Sheep calculator |
| Dog | 63 days | 58 to 68 days | Dog calculator |
| Cat | 64 days | 61 to 67 days | Cat calculator |
| Rabbit | 31 days | 28 to 35 days | Rabbit calculator |
For more species, see the animal gestation periods chart.
How to use a calculator
- Pick the animal and, for cows, the breed.
- Enter the breeding date, or the date of a single mating if you have it.
- Read the expected date and the window around it, and mark both on a calendar.
- Start the checks and preparations the page lists, such as dry-off, nest box or whelping area, ahead of the earliest date.
Dates are estimates, not a vet's advice
A calculator gives an average. A due date can come early or late, and signs of trouble, such as long labor with no progress, bleeding or a very sick animal, need a vet at once and not a calendar. Pages about pets and livestock health link to their sources and say when to call a vet.
Who runs this site
GestationPeriod is published by Hassan Nawaz. The formulas are shown on each page and sources are listed where a page relies on them. How pages are checked is described in the editorial policy. If a number looks wrong, use the contact page and say which page and what you expected.