Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons?

Far from being a secret, most dogs LOVE belly rubs! But when you give your cherished canine companion the tummy pats that he craves, have you ever wondered whether or not there’s a belly button hidden beneath his thin layer of fur?

Although they may be difficult to detect, dogs, like all mammals, including humans, do indeed have belly buttons. And as with other mammals, puppies in their mothers’ wombs receive oxygen and nutrients from their mothers by means of umbilical cords.  

According to veterinarians, after giving birth, either the puppy’s mother chews off the umbilical cord or it’s cut by a person who’s assisting in the process. The remaining stump subsequently dries up, falls off and leaves behind a scar, which becomes the belly button. By the time a puppy is old enough to leave his or her mother, the scar has usually healed and goes ever so easily unnoticed.  

Compared with our belly buttons, which might protrude slightly or form an indentation, there’s little variation in the shape and appearance of healthy dogs’ belly buttons. Instead, they may look like small, hairless spots, subtle circular or vertical scars or faint wrinkles on their skin. In fact, if you look at your own dog’s belly, you’re unlikely to notice his belly button immediately because it’s typically the same color as the rest of his skin.    

Therefore, to discover the location of your dog’s navel, you’ll have to do some searching ... hint, hint … a dog’s belly button can be found on the underside of the abdomen, just below the ribcage and above the genitals. At first, you’re more likely to feel the belly button rather than see it because it’s usually covered by your dog’s fur.  

And so, the solution is to gently feel that area while your dog is lying on his back and peer closely at the area as you do. Hopefully, you’ll notice a small, flat scar or a subtle bump, although it can be more difficult to detect in more furry breeds. However, should you actually feel the scar or bump, you can then part your dog’s fur to reveal his belly button! If, on the other hand, you can’t find it, ask your veterinarian for assistance.  

A healthy dog’s belly button should be smooth and flat and so, if it happens to sink inward or protrude outward, it could potentially indicate a medical problem. The most common problem is an umbilical hernia. This occurs when abdominal contents such as a dog’s intestines or fat protrude through an opening in the abdominal wall at the site of the belly button. Umbilical hernias are usually resolved, though, when a dog is either neutered or spayed.  

Note as well that any redness, swelling or warmth around a dog’s belly button can be signs of an infection -- especially common in those who may have been strays. If your dog was once a stray or if he loses his appetite, becomes lethargic or starts to vomit, schedule an immediate appointment with your vet.