Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons

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We love learning new things about dogs, and recently we received a question that got us thinking for a bit. The question was, “Do dogs have belly buttons?” Our first reaction was - Yes, of course. But then we remembered we rarely give any attention to a dog’s belly button, so we wanted to learn more about this topic.

Why do dogs have belly buttons?

If you noticed a belly button on your dog, you probably wondered why dogs have belly buttons. The answer is rather simple - Dogs have belly buttons because they are placental mammals. All placental mammals start developing in their mother’s womb. All the necessary nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the developing puppy via the umbilical cord.

Umbilical cord

The umbilical cord is basically a tube that connects the unborn puppies with their mom. They receive food and oxygen through it, and it takes the waste back to mom’s body. All mammals, except marsupials (kangaroos), have it. 

Belly button

When mammal babies are born and exit their mother’s womb, the umbilical cord is still attached to their bodies. In humans, the point where the umbilical cord was connected to us is where our belly buttons are. It works the same for dogs. They have a belly button on their tummies, and it is simply a scar where the umbilical cord was cut (or bitten off by their mothers) after birth.

How can I check my dog’s belly button?

The exact placement of a dog’s belly button can be difficult to pinpoint exactly. Many dogs have thick coats, and you will have to part the hairs to see their belly button. In some short-coated breeds, you might notice a little swirl of hair where their belly button is.

What does a dog’s belly button look like?

Human belly buttons come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The final appearance will be determined by the doctor and their practice. Human belly buttons are usually clamped and then cut, but a dog’s belly button is slightly different.

Most dogs only have a small, flat scar that is really hard to spot. If you want to find your dog’s belly button, start a belly scratching session, and pay close attention.

Belly button concern

A standard dog belly button should be no reason for concern. It should barely be visible, and you shouldn’t be able to easily feel it or see it. However, if you notice anything strange with your dog’s belly button, it can be a reason for concern. As a responsible owner, you should take care of your dog’s health and keep a close eye on any changes that might happen. If you notice anything weird, you should call your vet and schedule an appointment. One of the possible reasons for concern is a bulging belly button.

Bulging dog belly button

If you notice your dog’s belly button is bulging, you should call your vet. It is possible your dog developed a hernia. A hernia can be defined as a condition where something that should be securely tucked inside the body is sticking out. It can be caused by improper puppy development, and if left untreated, it can have terrible consequences. The contents of the dog’s abdomen can be stuck in the belly button. If a hernia doesn’t get the needed vet attention, it might have fatal consequences.

How is an umbilical hernia treated?

An umbilical hernia usually happens in puppies. The good news is, this problem can generally be repaired surgically. Vets typically recommend fixing this issue at the same time the dog is spayed or neutered. However, the severity of hernia will determine the best cause of action. If the problem is severe, it might be best not to wait for the spaying or neutering procedure. This issue can happen to any dog breed, but it is most commonly found in Pekingese, Airedale Terriers, Beagles, and Basenjis.

World Dog Finder team