Do Cats Have Belly Buttons? Vet-Approved Feline Anatomy Guide 2025 🐱🧬

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Have you ever found yourself petting your cat and wondering, “Do cats have belly buttons like we do?” 🤔 It’s a common curiosity—and as a veterinarian, I can tell you: Yes, they do! But there’s much more to this tiny detail than meets the eye.

In this vet-approved guide for 2025, we’ll dive deep into feline anatomy to explore what a cat’s belly button actually is, how to find it, why it looks different from a human’s, and when it might indicate a health issue. Let's uncover the small but mighty navel story of our feline friends. 🐾

1. Yes, Cats Have Belly Buttons! 🩺🐱

All placental mammals—humans, dogs, cats, and more—have a belly button. That includes your feline friend. This is because, during pregnancy, kittens receive nutrients from their mother via the umbilical cord, which is attached at the midline of the abdomen. After birth, the cord is naturally severed or chewed off by the mother, and what's left behind heals into a tiny scar—the cat’s belly button. 🧬

So while it’s not obvious at first glance, it’s there. You just have to know what you’re looking for! 🕵️‍♀️

2. What Does a Cat Belly Button Look Like? 👀

Unlike the human belly button, which can be an “innie” or “outie,” a cat’s navel is typically:

• ✅ Small and flat (about the size of a freckle)
• ✅ Covered with fur by the time the kitten matures
• ✅ Located along the midline of the abdomen, roughly between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the hind legs

Most owners never notice it unless they’re closely grooming or inspecting their cat's belly while it’s laying on its back. Some short-haired or hairless breeds like the Sphynx may make it more visible. 🔍

3. Where Exactly Is the Belly Button Located? 📍

The feline belly button sits centrally on the underside of your cat’s abdomen. To find it:

1. Gently place your cat on its back or encourage a belly-up position during relaxation.
2. Feel along the centerline of the belly, below the ribcage but before the pelvis.
3. You may notice a tiny bump or shallow indentation, usually no bigger than a lentil.

Pro tip: use this moment as bonding time—offer gentle pets and treats for cooperation. 🧡

4. Why Isn’t It Like a Human’s Belly Button? 🧍‍♂️🐈

There are a few reasons why your cat’s belly button doesn’t resemble yours:

• 👶 Size: Humans are larger at birth, so the umbilical scar is more pronounced.
• 🐾 Fur coverage: Cats grow a full coat over the area, hiding the scar.
• 🐱 Healing: The scar typically flattens completely and blends with the skin.

Think of it as a healed, invisible receipt for being a mammal. 🧾✨

5. When a Cat Belly Button Isn’t “Normal” 🚨

While most cats’ belly buttons are non-eventful, certain issues can arise—especially in kittens. Here are a few concerns:

Umbilical Hernia

This occurs when the abdominal wall doesn’t fully close after birth, allowing fat or internal organs to protrude slightly at the navel. It appears as a soft, sometimes round lump on the belly.

Signs:

• 🔴 Soft, squishy bulge at belly button area
• 🔴 Swelling that increases when crying or straining
• 🔴 Redness, tenderness, or heat (signs of infection or strangulation)

⚠️ Seek veterinary care immediately if: The lump is growing, painful, discolored, or doesn’t reduce when pushed gently. Hernias may require surgical repair.

Infection or Abscess

Very rarely, an unhealed navel scar may become infected, especially in neonates.

Watch for:

• 😿 Redness or swelling around the belly button
• 😿 Discharge or pus
• 😿 Foul odor or your kitten seeming ill

🩺 Your vet may prescribe antibiotics and ensure it’s not something more serious.

6. Caring for Kittens Post-Birth 🍼

If you’re fostering or raising kittens, it’s important to monitor their umbilical site:

• ✔️ The stump should dry and fall off naturally in the first week
• ✔️ Keep the area dry and clean—no need for ointments unless instructed
• ✔️ Watch for swelling or leakage

Call your vet if the area remains swollen or raw after 10 days.

7. Breeds Where Belly Buttons Are Easier to See 👀🐾

Some breeds make it easier to spot their belly buttons due to hairlessness or sparse fur:

• 🐱 Sphynx
• 🐱 Peterbald
• 🐱 Devon Rex
• 🐱 Oriental Shorthair

If your cat has a smooth or sparsely haired belly, use that to your advantage for gentle health checks. 🧼

8. When to See a Vet 👨‍⚕️

Here’s when your cat’s belly button needs professional attention:

• 🔍 A bulge or protrusion is visible at the belly
• 💥 Your cat seems in pain when touched in that area
• 💧 There’s discharge, pus, or a foul smell
• ⏳ A kitten’s umbilical stump doesn’t fall off in 7–10 days

Don’t guess—connect with your vet or book a photo consult via Ask A Vet for fast support.

9. Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz for Umbilical Insights 💬

Through Ask A Vet, you can upload photos of your cat’s belly for evaluation by licensed veterinarians—perfect for peace of mind if you notice a lump or oddity. 🖼️🩺

Woopf offers comfy, washable bedding ideal for new mothers and kittens, helping prevent bacteria around healing navels. 🛏️

Purrz enrichment toys can help gently encourage belly exposure for those hard-to-inspect kitties. 🎾

10. Quick Fun Facts 🎉

• 🎂 Kittens typically lose their umbilical stump by 5–7 days old
• 🐱 A cat's belly button is also called the umbilicus
• 🔬 The umbilical cord attaches via the placenta—same as in humans!

11. Summary Table 📝

12. Final Thoughts 💭

Yes, your cat has a belly button—though you’ll rarely see it. It’s a subtle but important remnant of their earliest moments of life. By knowing where it is and what’s normal, you can spot early signs of problems like hernias or infections. Whether you’re raising kittens or caring for a full-grown feline, a little belly knowledge goes a long way. 🐾

13. Call to Action 📲

Not sure if that belly lump is a button or a hernia? Snap a photo and send it to a licensed vet via AskAVet.com. It’s fast, easy, and available 24/7. And while you’re at it, explore Woopf’s wellness bedding and Purrz’s playful toys—because healthy tummies lead to happy tails! 🎉🐱