Do All Mammals Have Belly Buttons?
If human babies could have been downloaded using a computer program, everything could have been much simpler; however, that is not possible. We all know that humans are born out of the womb.
Before a baby enters the world, how does it sustain itself? The answer is simple. All mammals have belly buttons, also called the navel, where the umbilical cord attached to the baby is also attached to the baby’s mother. This serves the purpose of survival, as food is provided to the baby via the umbilical cord.
However, there is an interesting proposition even though most mammals give birth and do not lay eggs. There are still a few mammals that do not have belly buttons. Kangaroos and koalas, for example, are two mammals that do not have belly buttons as they spend most of their early development in their mother’s pouch. And even the very few egg-laying mammals, such as the platypus and echidna, do not need umbilical cords, so they do not need a belly button.
Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons?
Now that we know that all mammals, or at least most mammals, have belly buttons, the question is whether or not dogs and other animals like people also have belly buttons. The answer is “yes” There is a belly button in canine anatomy. Dogs are mammals, but they do not produce eggs. Thus, the answer is yes, and they grow a belly button. This is because a puppy receives its nutrients via the umbilical cord before being born into the world.
What Are Dog Belly Buttons Like?
As cute as a question sounds, you will be surprised to read that dogs have normal human-like-looking belly buttons! They do not even have innies or outies like humans do. It is just a small button on the belly that is more prominent when the pup is much younger.
However, it dries up and becomes almost like a flat scar as the pup grows older into a bigger and stronger dog. A lot of times, people have this concern about whether their pet dog has a belly button or not because it is not quite visible on certain breeds because of their heavy fur. So, if you must examine, search your pet’s fur to spot it.
It Is Okay If You Can Not Spot It
It is fine if you cannot detect your dog’s belly button. If you cannot see it on your dog’s body, there is no reason for you to freak out. As you have mentioned earlier that with time, as dogs grow older, their belly buttons do start to disappear. So, it is completely normal if you cannot see it.
However, if you have a major concern and want to monitor your dog’s health, you can look for it at home by searching through the fur on its belly. If you cannot search through the fur because you own a big furry breed, you can contact a professional and ask them to spot one in case of serious health indications.
Can A Dog’s Belly Button Tell About Its Health?
If you start to see your puppy’s or adult dog’s belly button, particularly if it is enlarged and much more obvious than it normally would be, you need to have it looked out as quickly as possible. The presence of this particular and case-specific protrusion of the belly button points to the presence of a hernia, which has to be checked right away.
An inevitable swelling occurs when a puppy is born since the umbilical cord is still linked to the body for part of the birthing process. That is not a concern; nonetheless, you must get your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible if the problem does not disappear. It may be a sign of a medical problem, and if you don’t address it right away, your pet might end up suffering.
Can Hernia Occur in Any Breed?
A hernia is not a breed-specific condition. It would be best if you watched out for any breed of your dog in case it gets a hernia. A few breeds, such as Pekingese, Basenjis, and Terriers, must be appropriately examined as these breeds are more prone to getting a hernia.
Examine Your Pup’s Belly Button
If you have a newborn puppy at home, or if you adopted one that is newborn, make sure to examine and keep a close eye on the belly button in the first few months. This is where you can keep a close eye and watch out for any alarming hernia development.
If everything remains normal and the scar starts to dry off with time, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. It is normal for the belly button to be visible in the first few months, and it disappears as the pub grows older.
No Extra Care Needed
No, your dog’s belly button does not need to require any special care and attention. If you do not find anything unusual, you do not have to worry and let your dog be.
Don’t Worry Yourself Without Reason
Rather than overthinking your dog’s health and worrying about yourself without reason, you can monitor its other physically visible traits if you are concerned. Monitor your dog’s sleep, eating habits, moods, and general friendliness and affection towards you. If your dog is as active and friendly as usual, there is no need for you to worry mindlessly.
Our Final Thoughts
We hope that this article was helpful and that you were able to learn about your dog and the sort of attention it requires from you to live a healthy and proper life.
