Gestation periods of pets and farm animals
Gestation is the time from mating to birth. Small animals with short lives have short pregnancies: a Syrian hamster gives birth after about 16 days, while a horse carries a foal for about 11 months.
| Animal | Average | Normal range | Young are called |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamster (Syrian) | 16 days | 15-18 days | pups |
| Hamster (dwarf) | 20 days | 18-22 days | pups |
| Mouse | 20 days | 19-21 days | pups |
| Rat | 22 days | 21-23 days | pups (kittens) |
| Gerbil | 25 days | 23-26 days | pups |
| Rabbit | 31 days | 28-33 days | kits |
| Hedgehog (African pygmy) | 35 days | 34-37 days | hoglets |
| Ferret | 42 days | 41-43 days | kits |
| Dog | 63 days | 58-68 days | puppies |
| Cat | 65 days | 63-67 days | kittens |
| Guinea pig | 65 days | 59-72 days | pups |
| Chinchilla | 111 days | 105-118 days | kits |
| Pig | 114 days | 112-116 days | piglets |
| Sheep | 147 days | 142-152 days | lambs |
| Goat | 150 days | 145-155 days | kids |
| Cow | 283 days | 279-292 days | calves |
| Horse | 340 days | 320-370 days | foals |
Tips for small pets
- Rabbits build a nest and pull fur from their chest a few days before giving birth. Rabbits can get pregnant again within hours of giving birth, so separate the buck.
- Guinea pigs should have their first litter before about 6 to 7 months of age: after that the pelvis can fuse and birth becomes dangerous. Ask your vet before breeding a female for the first time.
- Hamsters, rats and mice should be left alone for the first days after birth. Disturbing the nest can make the mother abandon or harm the babies.
- Ferrets that are not bred should be spayed or brought out of heat by a vet: staying in heat can cause life-threatening anemia.
Worked example
A rabbit bred on June 1 is due around July 2 (31 days), with a normal range of June 29 to July 4. Put the nest box in around day 27 or 28.
For dogs, the dog pregnancy calculator adds a week by week timeline. Want to know how old your small pet is in human years? Try the pet age calculator.
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual reproductive and exotic pet chapters; standard veterinary reference ranges for gestation length.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a rabbit pregnant?
About 31 days, usually between 28 and 33 days. If a rabbit has not given birth by day 32, call a vet.
How long is a guinea pig pregnant?
About 65 days, with a range of 59 to 72 days. Larger litters tend to come a little sooner.
How long is a hamster pregnant?
Syrian hamsters give birth after about 16 days (15 to 18), and dwarf hamsters after about 18 to 22 days.
How long is a goat pregnant?
About 150 days, or 5 months, usually between 145 and 155 days.
How long is a cat pregnant?
About 65 days, usually 63 to 67 days, or about 9 weeks.
How long is a horse pregnant?
About 340 days, or 11 months, but 320 to 370 days is normal.
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Last updated October 2026.