Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons
Do dogs have belly buttons?
Yes — dogs do have belly buttons, though they’re not quite the same as ours. Every mammal that gives birth to live young has a belly button, and that includes your lovely four-legged friend. It marks the place where the umbilical cord once connected your puppy to their mum in the womb. It’s a natural little reminder of where life began, even if it’s hidden beneath fluff and fur.
Where is a dog’s belly button?
A dog’s belly button is located on their underside, roughly where the ribcage ends and the tummy begins — around the centre of their abdomen. It’s not a protruding "outie" like some human belly buttons, but more of a small, flat scar. In most dogs, it looks like a faint line, wrinkle or tiny dip in the skin, and it’s often hard to spot unless you’re gently parting the fur and looking closely.
Why are dog belly buttons hard to find?
There are two main reasons: fur and shape. A dog's belly button heals differently from a human’s and is typically small and flat. It doesn’t form a deep hollow or a raised bump, which means it blends into the rest of the skin quite neatly. Add a layer of fluff, and you’ve got a perfectly hidden little mark that often goes unnoticed unless you’re really looking for it.
Do all dogs have belly buttons?
Yes, all dogs born from their mothers (which is all dogs!) have belly buttons. The only mammals that don’t have them are those born from eggs — such as birds, reptiles and monotremes (like the platypus). So from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, every dog you meet has a belly button — it’s just shy and well-disguised.
Can a dog’s belly button ever cause problems?
In rare cases, a dog’s belly button area might develop an issue called an umbilical hernia. This happens when the muscles around the belly button don’t fully close after birth, causing a soft bulge or lump. Some hernias close on their own, especially in puppies, while others may need surgery to fix. If you notice anything unusual around your dog’s middle — like swelling, pain or a soft bump — it’s always best to have it checked by your vet.
Should I clean or care for my dog’s belly button?
Usually, no. A healthy belly button doesn’t need any special care. It’s just part of your dog’s skin and should stay clean on its own during regular grooming. If the area seems dirty, irritated or smelly, it might be worth a closer look — but in general, your dog’s belly button is a very low-maintenance little feature.
Why don’t people talk about dog belly buttons more?
It’s one of those sweet little facts that often gets overlooked. Because they’re not prominent, and because dogs don’t really need them after birth, their belly buttons simply fade into the background. But once you know they’re there, it’s hard not to find them a little bit magical — a quiet reminder that every dog was once a tiny, wriggly pup curled up in their mother’s womb.
Do dogs have innies or outies?
Unlike humans, dogs don’t really have innies or outies. Their belly buttons are usually flat and flush with the skin — more like a tiny scar than a button. Because the umbilical cord is usually bitten off by the mother shortly after birth, the scar tends to heal very neatly and doesn’t leave a noticeable bump.
Can you feel a dog’s belly button?
Sometimes, yes — especially in short-haired dogs or puppies. If you gently run your fingers along their tummy, you might feel a tiny wrinkle, dip or slightly raised patch just below the ribs. But it’s often easier to feel than to see, and not all belly buttons are noticeable. It’s perfectly normal if you can’t find it at all.
Why do mammals have belly buttons?
Mammals grow inside their mothers and receive nutrients through the umbilical cord, which attaches to the placenta. Once the puppy is born, the cord is no longer needed and falls away or is nibbled off by mum — leaving a belly button behind. It’s a little souvenir from life in the womb.
Can dog belly buttons change over time?
In healthy dogs, the belly button area stays the same throughout their life. However, if a bump suddenly appears where their belly button should be — especially if it’s soft or seems to change in size — it could be an umbilical hernia or another type of growth. These are often harmless, but it’s always worth asking your vet for a check-up.
Do male and female dogs have belly buttons in different places?
Nope — all dogs have their belly button in the same general spot: near the centre of the abdomen, between the chest and lower tummy. It’s not linked to their sex, and it looks the same whether your pup is a boy or a girl. It's one of those universal little features all dogs share, no matter their size, breed or fluffiness.
Why is it so cute to know dogs have belly buttons?
Because it’s a tiny, sweet connection between us and them. It reminds us that our dogs were once tiny, wriggly newborns who needed warmth, food and love — just like we did. Their belly button might be small and hidden, but it’s a soft little symbol of how life begins, and of the bond between mothers and their babies, whether human or hound.
Summary
Yes, your dog has a belly button — a small, subtle scar from the very start of their life. Hidden in the fur and almost too quiet to notice, it’s a tender little link to their earliest moments. While it may not be as obvious as ours, it’s always there, tucked away like a secret. So next time your dog’s lying on their back, paws in the air, take a peek and smile — their belly button’s been there all along.