Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons?

If you’re reading this, you have either an innie or an outie. In fact, you most likely have an innie, as approximately 90% of humans are reported to be “innies.”

But how about your pets? Have you ever wondered “Do dogs have belly buttons?” We asked some of our puppy-parent friends, and the majority think their dogs don’t have belly buttons.

What do you think? Are they right or are they wrong?

First, let’s talk about what a navel – more commonly referred to as a belly button – actually is. A navel is a scar on the abdomen at the site where the umbilical cord was once attached. The umbilical cord is what brings food and oxygen from the mother to the baby while in the womb. All placental mammals were once attached to their mothers by an umbilical cord, and therefore have a belly button, though not all navels look the same.

When a mammal is born, the umbilical cord either falls off, or is cut, which is then what forms a scar on the baby. In humans, that scar is quite obvious, but in most other mammals, it’s barely noticeable, if at all.

But back to the big question: Do dogs have belly buttons?

Yes, they do!

Being placental mammals, all dogs are attached to their mother by an umbilical cord. At birth, their mother removes the cord, and the puppies develop a small scar on their abdomen, which may blend in over time. Very occasionally, a dog’s navel can show more outwardly, but most dogs’ navels become flush with their skin, and are often covered with hair, making them difficult to find.

If you’re searching for your four-legged friend’s belly button, try looking where the abdomen meets the bottom of the rib cage – it’s likely you’ll see a very faint indentation there. Or, maybe you’ll find nothing at all!

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