Do dogs have belly buttons? After all, navels or belly buttons are just scars. It’s basically where we were connected to our umbilical while in our mother’s womb, right? Science says that through the umbilical a baby receives food and oxygen. It’s also how a baby rids itself of waste.
How it works is that one end of the cord is attached to the middle of the baby’s stomach. The other end is of course attached to the mother’s placenta. Once the baby is born it doesn’t need the umbilical cord anymore and it’s cut and tied off.
Also read: How long are dogs pregnant?
Do dogs have belly buttons?
But that’s how it is in the world of humans. However, the question is do dogs have belly buttons? Is it the same for dogs too or is this process only unique to us?
Of course, this process is not only unique to humans. Basically, all mammals, which dogs are, share similar processes during development and birth. So the answer is yes, dogs do have belly buttons. A developing fetus needs to get its nutrients while he is in his mother’s pouch, and it gets it with the help of an umbilical cord.
It won’t look the same as ours, as we are left with a significantly bigger scar after birth, however, at the base of your dog’s ribs you will be able to see a patch of darker fur.
A dog’s belly button
Now, the question is where is a dog’s belly button? Also, why can’t we see it, when it’s on humans very visible?
Basically, every puppy in a pregnant dog’s stomach has its own umbilical cord, obviously. When the babies are born, the mother dog then chews through the umbilical cord. This of course leaves a wound where the puppy and cord were connected. So, with humans, the cord is cut, and in the dog world, the mother chews through it.
Also read: How To Tell If Your Dog Is Pregnant?
After the mother has chewed through the umbilical cord there is a tiny wound left on the pup. But don’t worry, it heals quickly into a small, thin line – a scar. Which is, you guessed it, a dog’s belly button. The reason why you can’t see it is first because of your dog’s fur. And secondly, because the scar is too small to be noticed. Also, unlike the human belly button which is either in or out, a dog’s belly button is flat!
Human belly buttons VS Dog belly buttons
Human belly buttons are scars that remained on us during our gestation in our mother’s womb when we were linked to the umbilical cord. Except for marsupials such as kangaroos and monotremes such as the platypus, all mammals feed their infants in the womb via the umbilical cord. Belly buttons are only seen in placental mammals.
Puppies are born in a fluid-filled sac attached to their mother’s placenta via an umbilical cord throughout the childbirth process. The mother dog will bite off the umbilical cords when each puppy is born, and the umbilical cord stump will dry up and fall off the dog’s navel in one to three days. The belly button of your new puppy heals into a small slit in a short time, and a puppy’s stomach will only have a tiny flat scar because the cord only left a little hole in the case of dogs.
What should my dog’s belly button look like?
Now that you know that your dog has in fact a belly button, you might be wondering what it’s going to look like. Your dog’s belly button should ideally blend in with the surrounding tissue, making it difficult to spot even up close. Unless you’re staring at a newborn puppy’s belly while the umbilical stump heals, the skin should be the same color or even a little whiter than the rest of the belly.
However, if you find that your dog’s skin in this area is red, dark brown, or black (i.e. any color that isn’t normal for the rest of his body), this could suggest a variety of issues, including: Inflammation, infection, allergies, and irritation.
That’s why you should examine your dog’s tummy for the earliest signs of dermatitis or skin inflammation. This is due to the fact that the fur on the belly is thinner and the flesh is more visible. Dermatitis frequently begins on the abdomen before spreading to other parts of the body. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if the skin on your dog’s belly appears to be odd.
Why can’t I see my dog’s belly button?
The belly button on a puppy’s belly is usually visible. However, after your dog reaches adulthood, it is unlikely to be apparent. This is due to the small size of the umbilical cord. Because humans are larger than dogs, their umbilical cords are substantially larger. As a result, the cords leave a more visible scar.
When the umbilical scar heals, it will resemble a little slit on a puppy rather than a circular hole. The small incision is usually hidden by fur, so dog owners won’t see it. When it comes to dog belly buttons, there are no innies or outies.
You might be able to find it if you look for little scar tissue that is the belly button. It’ll be in the center of your puppy’s abdomen, just below the rib cage. It may appear on their skin as an oval or circular wrinkle or as a small, flat vertical scar. You may notice that your dog’s hair swirls or that there is a tuft near the belly button when you give him belly massages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, dogs do have belly buttons. Even though you might not be able to see or feel your dog’s belly button, rest assured. Your dog definitely has one. They had the same function as a human’s belly button, however, they just look different. The problem is that it’s basically just a tiny, flat hairless scar that just goes unnoticed.
Check your dog’s belly button every now and then while you give him a tummy rub. See if you notice any redness, skin discoloration, rashes, or even flakiness. These could all be a sign of a problem. It’s not that common for belly buttons to become inflamed, however, it’s still a possibility, especially for younger puppies.