Yes — dogs absolutely have belly buttons. PetMD confirms that nearly all mammals have belly buttons, including humans, dogs, and cats. Dogster’s vet-verified content confirms that dogs do have belly buttons, though vets usually call them the umbilicus, and they don’t look the same as a human’s. Vet Help Direct explains the broader biology: alongside all other mammals, dogs have belly buttons — medically referred to as the umbilicus — and the only mammals that do not have them are marsupials such as the kangaroo and monotremes such as the duck-billed platypus.
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If you’ve never noticed your dog’s belly button, you’re in good company. Most dog owners haven’t — and there’s a very good anatomical reason for that. But they are there, they serve an important purpose during development, and knowing what’s normal versus what isn’t in that area of your dog’s abdomen can help you catch a potential health issue early.
What Is a Belly Button and Why Do Dogs Have One?
A belly button — or umbilicus, to use the medical term — is the scar left behind after the umbilical cord is cut or naturally separated at birth. PetMD describes the umbilical cord as the lifeline connecting the developing foetus to its mother, providing essential nutrients and oxygen during gestation.
During pregnancy, each puppy develops inside the uterus enclosed in an amniotic sac and connected to the mother’s placenta via the umbilical cord. Through this cord, the mother supplies oxygen and nutrients to the developing puppy and removes waste products. Vet Help Direct explains the physiology clearly: the placenta was the most vital of organs to the pup, supplying nutrients and oxygen whilst removing waste products, while the pup’s own organs were still developing.
At birth, one of two things happens to sever this connection:
In a natural whelping: the mother chews through the umbilical cord herself, typically within minutes of each puppy’s birth. This is entirely instinctive — the mother does not need guidance.
In an assisted whelping: a veterinarian or experienced breeder cuts and ties the cord, leaving a short stump attached to the puppy that dries out and falls off naturally within a few days.
Either way, once the cord is gone, the small opening in the abdominal wall where it was attached closes, and the remaining scar becomes the dog’s belly button. Dr. Sarah Cortright DVM, Chief Medical Director of the Underdog Community Project, describes it simply: the remaining stump dries up and falls off, leaving behind a scar — this becomes the belly button.
Once formed, the belly button serves no ongoing function. Like human belly buttons, PetMD confirms that a dog’s belly button doesn’t serve a specific function after birth — it is simply the scar where the umbilical cord was attached.
Why Are Dogs’ Belly Buttons So Hard to Find?
This is the question most dog owners arrive at after they learn dogs have belly buttons: why have I never noticed it on my own dog?
The answer is that a dog’s belly button looks nothing like a human’s. Dr. Emily Gamm DVM, an associate veterinarian at South Sioux Animal Hospital, explains via PetMD: unless your dog’s belly is shaved for some reason, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice their belly button. Several factors make them distinctly less visible than human navels:
Size and shape — human belly buttons are prominent, often indented or slightly protruding, and visible through clothing. Dog belly buttons are small, flat scars — usually a subtle oval or circular depression, or a faint vertical line. Dr. Carol Osborne DVM of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center describes it as likely looking like a faint wrinkle, a small hairless spot, or a subtle scar.
Fur coverage — in most dogs, fur grows directly over the belly button area and conceals it entirely. Vet Help Direct notes that the fur will often grow over the umbilicus, or occasionally the scar may remain bald, or the hair will fan out from it in a rosette-type pattern. The rosette pattern — where fur radiates outward from a central point — is actually one of the easiest visual clues to locate the belly button in dogs with shorter coats.
Flat healing — a dog’s belly button heals very flat against the body. This evolutionary trait may minimise the site’s vulnerability to infection and injury, as a protruding navel would be more exposed to environmental hazards.
Skin colour — the scar is typically the same colour as the surrounding skin, providing no visual contrast to identify it.
How to Find Your Dog’s Belly Button
If you want to find your dog’s belly button — whether out of curiosity or to check that everything looks normal — here’s how:
1. Position your dog comfortably on their back. Most dogs who are relaxed with handling will tolerate this. Have someone help if needed, or wait until your dog is already lying relaxed and in a cooperative mood.
2. Locate the general area. The belly button is on the underside of the abdomen, just below the ribcage and above the genitals — roughly in the midline of the belly. VCA Animal Hospitals confirms the location: the umbilicus in dogs is located on their underside, just below the rib cage.
3. Feel rather than look. Dr. Cortright advises gently feeling the area while your dog is lying on their back. You may notice a small, flat scar or a subtle bump — but it can be hard to detect, especially in furry breeds. Run your fingertips gently along the midline of the belly in the general area below the ribcage.
4. Part the fur if needed. For longer-coated dogs, PetMD suggests using a slicker brush for long-haired dogs and a fine-toothed comb for short-haired dogs to separate fur in the general area before looking.
5. What you’re looking for. A normal dog belly button should be smooth and flat — a barely visible indentation, slight scar tissue, or small hairless patch. If you find it, you’ll likely feel it before you see it. If you can’t locate it, your vet can show you at the next routine check-up.
What Should a Normal Belly Button Look Like?
Dr. Cortright provides the clearest benchmark: a dog’s belly button should be smooth and flat. If it protrudes outward or sinks inward, it could indicate a problem.
A normal belly button:
- Flat or very slightly indented
- Small — typically no larger than a thumbnail
- Smooth to the touch
- The same colour as surrounding skin
- No discharge, redness, or swelling
- No pain when gently touched
Any deviation from this — particularly any soft bulge, protrusion, discharge, redness, or warmth — warrants a veterinary examination.
Umbilical Hernias — The Most Common Health Concern
This is the health issue most commonly associated with the belly button area in dogs, and it’s worth understanding clearly.
An umbilical hernia occurs when the umbilical ring — the small opening in the abdominal muscle wall through which the umbilical blood vessels passed before birth — fails to close completely after birth. VCA Animal Hospitals explains the result: abdominal lining, abdominal fat, or a portion of abdominal organ(s) can protrude through this opening, creating a soft swelling beneath the skin that often becomes more obvious when the puppy is standing, barking, crying, or straining.
Types and Severity
Small umbilical hernias (under ¼ inch/1 cm) — VCA Animal Hospitals confirms that small hernias may close spontaneously without treatment by age 3 to 4 months. These typically contain only a small amount of abdominal fat, cause no pain or discomfort, and resolve as the puppy grows and the abdominal wall strengthens.
Larger umbilical hernias — require veterinary assessment and typically surgical correction. When a hernia is large enough for loops of small intestine to pass through, the risk increases significantly. VCA Animal Hospitals notes the most serious complication: in rare cases, a portion of the intestines or other tissues can get trapped and become strangulated — blood flow is cut off to the tissue — causing its death. This situation is an emergency and requires immediate surgery. Dr. Emily Gamm DVM via PetMD is explicit: larger hernias can allow the small intestine to slip through, and a serious emergency can develop if the intestine becomes entrapped in the opening.
Reducible vs non-reducible hernias — a hernia is reducible if a vet can gently push the protruding contents back into the abdomen. Non-reducible hernias, where the contents have become stuck, require more urgent attention.
Surgical Treatment
For hernias that do not resolve spontaneously by 3 to 4 months, or that are too large to be left safely, surgical repair is the standard treatment. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that if the hernia has not closed by the time of spaying or neutering, surgical repair of the hernia is recommended and can be performed at the same time — avoiding the need for a separate anaesthetic event. The surgery involves pushing the fat or other tissues back into the abdominal cavity and using strong sutures to close the umbilical ring. The prognosis is excellent following surgical correction.
Breeds More Prone to Umbilical Hernias
Certain breeds have a higher genetic predisposition to umbilical hernias. Breeds commonly cited include Airedale Terriers, Beagles, Basenjis, and Pekingese — though umbilical hernias can occur in any breed. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that certain family lines have a higher incidence, suggesting at least a partial genetic predisposition.
Other Conditions That Can Affect the Belly Button Area
Infection of the Umbilicus
Dr. Rochelle Hartson DVM, veterinarian at IGH Animal Hospital, explains via PetMD: infection can develop if the cord is not properly removed or tied off, and it’s important not to pull the umbilicus off or tie it too close to the body. Signs of umbilical infection in very young puppies include swelling, redness, discharge, and warmth at the belly button site. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these signs in a puppy — infection in a newborn progresses rapidly.
Dogster’s vet-verified content notes that puppies may also lick each other’s umbilicus or suckle at it, which can introduce bacteria and cause infection or abscess. If the mother licks excessively at a puppy’s umbilical stump, this too can cause problems.
Abscesses
In the early period when the umbilical cord stump is drying out and falling off, bacteria can enter through the remnant tissue. Dr. Brandi Whittemore DVM of Hancock Veterinary Services notes that abscesses are not uncommon during this period and require veterinary attention — thorough drainage, cleaning, and sometimes antibiotic treatment.
Tumours
In older dogs, lumps near the belly button are more likely to represent tumours — either benign (lipomas are common) or malignant (mast cell tumours can occur anywhere on the body). Dr. Whittemore notes that any unusual growth near the belly button in an adult or senior dog warrants veterinary assessment. A fine needle aspirate can identify the cell type and guide treatment decisions.
What to Do If You Find Something Unusual
PetMD is clear on this: call your veterinarian if you see swelling, redness, discharge, or a firm bulge at your puppy’s belly button. Your vet should check your new puppy’s belly button at their first visit to see if it has closed appropriately.
For puppies: any soft bulge in the belly button area, even without other symptoms, should be mentioned at the puppy’s first veterinary check — this is standard practice at a first puppy health check.
For adult dogs: any new lump, bulge, swelling, redness, or discharge in the belly button area should be assessed by a vet promptly. Do not assume it is an uncomplicated hernia without a professional examination — other conditions including tumours require different management.
Emergency signs: straining, crying, vomiting, visible pain, or a belly button area that suddenly becomes hard or very swollen warrant immediate veterinary attention. These can indicate strangulation of herniated tissue — a life-threatening emergency.
The Elephant in the Room — Marsupials
Vet Help Direct makes a point worth sharing because it is one of the more interesting mammalian biology facts: the only mammals that do not have belly buttons are marsupials (kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas) and monotremes (the duck-billed platypus and echidnas).
Marsupials give birth to extremely undeveloped young that continue development externally — typically in a pouch — rather than relying on an extended placental gestation. Because the young do not receive prolonged nutrition through an umbilical cord in the same way, they do not develop a comparable umbilical scar. Monotremes lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young, bypassing placental gestation entirely.
Your dog, being a placental mammal, gets a belly button. The kangaroo does not. This is the kind of fact that makes long car journeys with children considerably more interesting.
The Bottom Line
Dogs have belly buttons — confirmed by PetMD, VCA Animal Hospitals, Dogster, and Vet Help Direct. Every dog’s belly button is there, it just takes a bit of looking (and usually feeling) to find it. It is a small, flat scar in the midline of the belly below the ribcage, often covered by fur, doing absolutely nothing in particular since the day the umbilical cord was cut.
The belly button itself is not a health concern. The surrounding area can be — particularly in puppies where umbilical hernias are the most common issue. Knowing what normal looks and feels like, and recognising the signs of a hernia or infection, is the practical value of understanding your dog’s belly button anatomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs have belly buttons? Yes — all placental mammals have belly buttons, including dogs. Veterinarians call it the umbilicus. It is a small, flat scar in the midline of the belly just below the ribcage.
Where is my dog’s belly button? On the underside of the abdomen, just below the ribcage and above the genitals, in the midline. It is usually covered by fur and easier to feel than to see — a small, flat scar or slight indentation.
Why can’t I see my dog’s belly button? Dog belly buttons heal very flat and are usually covered by fur, making them much less visible than human belly buttons. Use your fingertips to feel the midline of the belly in the ribcage-to-genitals area.
What does a dog’s belly button look like? A small, flat, smooth scar — usually a faint oval, circle, or vertical line. Sometimes a small hairless patch or a rosette pattern of fur radiating outward marks the spot.
What is an umbilical hernia in dogs? A soft bulge near the belly button caused by the umbilical ring (the opening in the abdominal wall) not closing completely after birth. Small hernias often resolve by 3 to 4 months. Larger ones require surgical repair, typically performed at the time of spaying or neutering.
Do marsupials have belly buttons? No — marsupials like kangaroos and monotremes like the duck-billed platypus do not have belly buttons. Only placental mammals, which include dogs, cats, and humans, have them.
Sources:
- PetMD — nearly all mammals have belly buttons; a dog’s belly button doesn’t serve a specific function after birth; it’s simply the scar where the umbilical cord was attached; infection can develop if the cord is not properly removed; call your vet if you see swelling, redness, discharge, or a firm bulge; Dr. Emily Gamm DVM and Dr. Rochelle Hartson DVM cited (petmd.com): https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/do-dogs-have-belly-buttons
- VCA Animal Hospitals — umbilical hernia in dogs: the umbilicus is located on their underside just below the rib cage; small hernias under 1cm may close spontaneously by 3 to 4 months; strangulation is a rare but life-threatening emergency; surgical repair recommended at time of spay or neuter if not closed; prognosis is excellent following surgical correction (vcahospitals.com): https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hernia-umbilical-in-dogs
- Vet Help Direct — dogs do have belly buttons (umbilicus); the only mammals without umbilici are marsupials and monotremes; umbilici are usually flat and small, often covered by fur or with hair growing in a rosette pattern; distinction between true umbilical hernia and delayed closure explained (vethelpdirect.com): https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2021/02/26/do-dogs-have-belly-buttons/
- Dogster (vet-verified, October 2025) — dogs do have belly buttons but vets call them the umbilicus and they don’t look the same as a human’s; puppies may develop abscesses as the umbilical cord dries and falls off; umbilical hernias may be congenital due to incomplete closure of the umbilical ring; hernias can be a painful and life-threatening condition if they entrap the intestines (dogster.com): https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/do-dogs-have-belly-buttons
For more dog health and anatomy guides, browse our Blog section. Keeping your dog healthy starts with knowing their body — and regular veterinary check-ups where the umbilicus is assessed are part of any thorough puppy health examination.