Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons?

You’re rubbing your pooch’s belly and notice a telltale spot in the middle of their tummy.

Is that… a belly button? Assuming you’re looking at the correct spot, yes—dogs do have belly buttons.

Nearly all mammals have belly buttons (navels), which form after the umbilical cord detaches after birth. 

What Is a Belly Button?

While belly buttons might seem uniquely human, we share this feature with our canine companions (and many other animals).

A belly button is a small scar that’s left behind after the umbilical cord is removed at birth.

As the lifeline connecting the developing fetus to its mother, the umbilical cord provides essential nutrients and oxygen. Once a mammal is born, the cord is either cut or naturally chewed off, leaving a belly button behind.

Nearly all mammals have belly buttons, including humans, dogs, and cats. More specifically, all placental mammals share this feature because they’re born with an umbilical cord.

Exceptions include marsupials such as kangaroos, koalas, and opossums. While still part of the mammal family, these animals don’t have belly buttons because their umbilical cords fall off while they’re still in their mother's pouch, so a scar doesn’t form after birth.

Are Dog Belly Buttons Like Ours?

While the function of a dog’s belly button is the same as ours, dog belly buttons don’t look or feel like human belly buttons. They’re small, flat, and usually hidden beneath their fur.

“When a puppy [or kitten] is born and the placenta detaches, the small umbilical opening should close within a short time,” explains Dr. Emily Gamm, an associate veterinarian at South Sioux Animal Hospital in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

In fact, Gamm says that unless your dog's belly is shaved for some reason, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice their belly button.

Where Is a Dog’s Belly Button?

Your dog’s belly button is located on their abdomen, just below their ribcage. Belly buttons on dogs can be tricky to spot, especially if your dog has thick fur or loose skin.

They’re usually small, flat scars—not as pronounced as the ones humans have—though their appearance may vary slightly between different dog breeds and sizes. Most only cause a slight indentation in the skin.

What Do Dog Belly Buttons Look Like?

A dog’s belly button doesn’t look like the typical “innie” or “outie” belly buttons that humans have. Instead, most are barely noticeable.

In some cases, a puppy’s umbilical opening doesn’t immediately close.

This delayed closure can create a closed umbilical hernia, which Gamm says looks like an “outie” belly button.

This happens when a small amount of fat protrudes through the opening, which eventually closes. The fat is then trapped outside the body wall as a little bulge under the skin—a “dog outie,” of sorts.

While a closed umbilical hernia isn’t a health concern, Gamm says that some people may ask their veterinarian to repair it due to the way it looks and feels.

What Is the Function of a Dog Belly Button?

Like human belly buttons, your dog’s belly button doesn’t serve a specific function after birth. It’s simply the scar where the umbilical cord was attached.

However, the umbilical cord itself plays a vital role during a dog’s development in the womb. Once it’s removed, the belly button forms where it was once connected.

Health Issues With Dog Belly Buttons

While belly buttons themselves don’t cause health problems, it’s possible for health issues to arise with the umbilical cord and the place where it was attached.

“Infection can develop if the cord is not properly removed or tied off. It’s also important to not pull the umbilicus off or tie it too close to the body,” says Dr. Rochelle Hartson, DVM, a veterinarian at IGH Animal Hospital in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

Umbilical hernias, which occur when the umbilical opening does not close, can be a health concern that requires veterinary attention.

While small umbilical hernias are usually not problematic and can be fixed by your vet when your pet is spayed or neutered, larger umbilical hernias—while rare—can be a much more serious problem.

“Larger hernias can allow the small intestine to slip through. A serious emergency can develop if the intestine becomes entrapped in the opening,” says Gamm.

Your vet should check your new puppy's belly button at their first visit to see if it has closed appropriately. They’ll let you know if your pet’s belly button requires additional follow-up care.

On rare occasions, the area around a newborn puppy’s belly button can become infected if it’s not properly cared for after birth.

Pet parents of very young puppies should check their dog’s belly button area for signs of swelling, redness, or discharge and call their vet if they notice anything out of the ordinary.

While it may not be as prominent as a human belly button, your dog’s belly button is a natural part of their anatomy.

If you notice anything unusual about the area around your dog’s abdomen, reach out to your vet for guidance.

They can help you determine if the spot is just a faint reminder of the umbilical cord that once nourished your dog to birth, or something that requires more attention.