Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons? Where And How To Find It

One question many dog lovers have is, “do dogs have belly buttons?” Like all mammals, dogs also have belly buttons. But unlike us, humans who have noticeable navels, dogs have belly buttons that are usually much less noticeable. 

The Navel Talk In Humans

All placental mammals, including us humans,  have umbilical cords as part of typical gestation. The umbilical cord is connected to the placenta. This is how babies receive the nutrients needed during gestation. Once born, doctors cut a portion of the umbilical cord, leaving our navels as a scar. This is a constant reminder that we spent nine months inside the womb of our mothers. 

Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons?

Since dogs are also placental mammals, the answer to “do dogs have belly buttons?” is yes. Since puppies are born with umbilical cords attached tho their mother’s placenta as well, this is also where they receive food and oxygen while in the womb. 

For other placental mammals, dogs included, the mothers will immediately break and chew off the umbilical cord after birth. Usually three days later, the stump or the remaining umbilical cord attached to the pup’s navel dries up and soon falls off. What remains is a scar which is also the pup’s umbilical cord.

Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons? Where Can I Find It?

Like us, a dog’s belly button is on its stomach. You can find it at the end of a dog’s rib cage and above the start of their abdomen. Sometimes, you can find your dog’s belly button in that region, and it will like a firm tissue beneath the skin.

Why a dog’s navel is hard to find?

We already know that the answer to “do dogs have a belly button” is a yes, but why is it hard to find, especially in adult dogs? The thing is, there are several reasons why a dog’s navel is not apparent. 

For one, a dog’s navel is a scar that is typically a flat and small belly button. Unlike us humans, we have a bigger belly button since we are bigger and need more nutrients than dogs. As a dog’s scar heals, it turns into a small slit instead of a big round hole. Also, in some dog breeds with shorter hair, you can find that their belly buttons have a swirl of hair surrounding it. 

For humans, our belly buttons have a hole with innies and outies. The innies are like little pits while the outies are like tiny humps. Some just have innies and no outies. For dogs, it’s only a small flat vertical scar – no innie and outie. Others have a circular or sometimes oval wrinkle on the skin as its belly button. If you find that your pup’s belly button has an outie, this could mean the muscle closed poorly, or the dog may have a hernia.

Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons That Is Herniated?

After answering the question, “do dogs have belly buttons?” some people would ask if there are dogs who have herniated navels. Some dogs have outies due to a condition called Hernia. A Hernia is an unfortunate condition. 

This happens when a puppy’s organ is not positioned properly. For example, something inside of your dog that is meant to be securely positioned inside their body bulges out. When a dog has an umbilical hernia, the unsecured body part bulges out of the small wound where the belly button should be. Because of this, the belly button does not heal or close properly.

There are two types of umbilical hernia. The first one is an uncomplicated umbilical hernia. An uncomplicated umbilical hernia means the hernia is not a condition that causes complication for your dog or whatsoever. It will usually subside on its own.

As for a complicated umbilical hernia,  your dog has an intestinal problem that causes the belly button to protrude. For example, the small intestine could be the organ that protrudes out of the muscle wall and through the gap. If you find your dog with a protruded belly where the belly button should be, make sure to tell your vet. This a common type of hernia among pups and young dogs. Vets usually repair a complicated umbilical hernia during the same time your dog gets spayed or neutered.

While it’s true that any dog breed can develop an umbilical hernia, some breeds are genetically susceptible to developing this type of hernia. This includes Beagles, Airedale Terriers, Pekingese, and Basenjis. If you own one of these dog breeds, be sure to watch out for signs of umbilical hernia, just to be sure.

What If I Can’t Find My Dog’sUmbilical Cord?

If you stumble upon this article that answers the question, “do dogs have belly buttons?” (or any article in any page, for that matter), you may have the urge to find your dog’s umbilical cord. But what if you can’t find it? Do dogs have belly buttons – all of them? 

If you fail to find your dog’s belly button, don’t worry! It should be there somewhere, hiding behind its furry belly. Maybe you’re just looking for it on the wrong parts of your dog’s abdomen. Or maybe, it just so happens that your dog’s belly button is so small, you may need a lot of belly rubs before finding it. 

Did you know that even though your fur baby doesn’t mind about their belly buttons, they can be curious of yours? Dog owners who have innies can find their dogs fascinated with their navels. Why? The reason is that our belly buttons can get dirty with lint and sweat. If you fail to clean your belly button, it can create a scent that attracts your dog’s sensitive nose.

In conclusion, dogs do have belly buttons. However, due to the size of their umbilical cords during gestation, the scar is a lot smaller and heals differently from us. Hence, the reason why we often think they have no belly buttons. You may have a hard time finding it, but rest assured it’s there. If you find your dog has an umbilical hernia, let your dog’s vet know at the next appointment.