Signs of Pregnant Beagles

A beagle's pregnancy is similar to a human's pregnancy in several ways, but it can be difficult to determine whether your dog is pregnant, especially if you have not been breeding her. The gestational period for beagles and other dogs is approximately 63 days. Physical signs of pregnancy may not be noticeable for more than a month. If you suspect that your beagle is pregnant, then it's important to have her examined by a veterinarian to confirm the pregnancy.

  1. Lethargy

    • A beagles who is pregnant may suddenly seem lethargic and may be much less active than usual. She may stop exercising, playing and running around, and she may seem more tired than usual.

    Abdomen

    • The abdomen of a pregnant beagle will grow quite rapidly, indicating pregnancy. The abdomen will also appear swollen or distended. Weight gain will accompany the growing abdomen.

    Nipples

    • When a beagle is pregnant, her nipples will become more prominent in preparation for feeding her puppies. A beagle may have inverted nipples, and in this case her nipples will begin to protrude.

    Grooming

    • A pregnant beagle may suddenly take an extra interest in grooming herself and keeping herself clean. She will probably begin to take more time than usual cleaning and grooming herself as the pregnancy progresses.

    Nesting

    • As your beagle moves into a later phase of pregnancy, she may begin to nest by gathering blankets, newspapers or other soft fabrics to create a nest for her puppies. She may also "practice" her mothering skills by acting as a mother to household items such as toys and shoes.