Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons?

Have you ever wondered whether dogs have belly buttons? It may be hard to believe, but dogs have belly buttons. 

Puppies are born enclosed in a fluid-filled sac. The mother dog must rip open the sac to clean them. She must also chew off the umbilical cord, leaving only a tiny piece behind that will eventually dry up and fall away. When that piece falls off, it leaves a scar behind. The scar is a dog's belly button.

So why are dogs' belly buttons difficult to see if truly they exist? First, the fur on a dog's tummy can conceal belly button markings. Second, compared to a human, a dog's belly button is smaller and flatter because a puppy's umbilical cord is significantly smaller than a human baby's.

Look in the middle of the abdomen, just below the ribs, to locate your dog's belly button. A small vertical scar or wrinkle should be visible on the skin. Alternatively, you might notice a whorl of fur in that area. If you can't see anything, try lightly pressing; you should feel a solid area where the scar tissue is located.

A protruding belly button could signify your puppy's abdominal muscles didn't close properly and can cause an umbilical hernia – a disease in which tissues such as fat or organs push through the opening in the abdominal wall. Consult your veterinarian if your dog's belly button is swollen.