Do Our Cats Have Belly Buttons?

By Author: Grey Cat
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Do our precious feline friends have belly buttons just like we do? – This might seem like a weird question, but it is bound to come up from time to time. Cats are placental mammals, but cat belly buttons are odd things to wrap your head around.

From time to time, our cats may display their annoyance at belly rubs, or belly stroked. This makes the task of locating belly buttons in your cats all the more difficult.

In this article, we will also be tackling other weird but common queries about our feline pets. For instance, “Do our cats have umbilical cords?” Read on to know more about your cats!

What Is an Umbilical Cord?

The belly button, also known as the “umbilicus,” serves as a small entryway into mammals' fetuses. In mothers, the umbilical cord allows swift passage of nutrient-rich blood to the baby. The umbilical cord comes equipped with veins and arteries. The cord also has a tough outer lining that protects it from damage during birth and pregnancy. Basically, it makes sure that no harm is done until the fetus becomes a baby and can breathe for itself without any trouble.

The ...
... umbilical cord is attached to the placenta in mammals. The placenta, meanwhile, serves as a filtering system for blood. The placenta's natural engineering ensures the passage of oxygen, antibodies, and other essential nutrients to the fetus inside the mother. Also, it blocks out the bad bacteria inside the blood.

Do Our Cats Have Umbilical Cords?

Cats can have more than one kitten present in the womb. This means that there are many umbilical cords and placentas to consider when a cat is giving birth to kittens. If there are too many kittens inside a cat, a lot of pressure is put on the heart.

Fortunately, the umbilical cords aren’t too long. The small lengths ensure that the cords do not get tangled up, and the kittens can stay close to the placenta. This also reduces the journey of the blood so that the mother kitten can get some break.

Should You Remove the Umbilical Cord from a Kitten?

Just like humans, kittens and puppies can breathe on their own once they come into this world. Following the kitten's birth, the umbilical cord spasms and separates from the placenta, leaving a short part of itself behind.

If you have recently had kittens, you must be worried about whether you should remove the rest of the umbilical cord or if the remaining cord is causing any pain to the kittens. However, fret not because once the umbilical cord is separated from the placenta, it will fall off eventually. The remaining cord will dry up, shrivel, and fall off in some time.

The remaining cord may be an eyesore, but it is in your kitten’s best interests if you do not interfere with the healing process. After all, the cord may still contain essential nutrients that your cat hasn’t absorbed yet.

Furthermore, letting the cord shrivel up and fall of itself means that you are less likely to open up a wound. If you take up any step hastily, then there is a greater chance of your kitten getting infected. Therefore, you should only take matters into your own hands under critical circumstances. Even then, it would be best if you took advice from your vet.

Please remember that young kittens do not have a working immune system yet, and the slightest misstep on your part can put their lives in danger.

Do Our Cats Have Belly Buttons?

When the umbilicus eventually falls off from your kitten’s stomach, you will notice a tiny scar in its place. Voila! You have just found your cat’s belly button. Don’t pay much heed to the scar, as it will be on your cat for the rest of its life and won’t cause any harm or danger.

Also, it is common knowledge that removal of the scar can result in infections in your kittens. If you have kittens, prevent them from licking their own or each other’s scars to ensure that they do not get affected by any infections.

Where Can I Find My Cat’s Belly Button?

Finding a belly button on your cat is much more difficult than finding it on a human:
 It’s in a different area of their stomach which is why your initial hunt for the belly button may not bear any results.
 Our cats have so much fur, which makes it all the more difficult!
 A lot of cats disapprove when it comes to belly rubs or belly strokes.
 Your cat’s weight can also make the task of locating its belly button way harder than you think.

The best time to locate your cat’s belly button is when it is completely comfortable around you. For instance, your cat may roll over and display its willingness to be petted by you when it is comfortable around you. But do not take advantage of the situation and stroke an unfamiliar cat as it may just so happen that the cat is only playing around.

Remember that cats have higher belly buttons than humans, and you can find their navels just below the rib cage. Be extremely cautious when you are trying to find belly buttons in your cats.

Does My Cat Have an Innie or an Outie?

Did you know that roughly 90% of humans have innies? Meanwhile, the remaining 10% come equipped with outies. Unlike the belly buttons in humans, cats do not take up the shape of a button. Instead, it is more like a flat, thin scar in cats.

When is It Actually A Hernia?

If you are searching for a belly button in your cat and it appears as if they have an outie, then the chances are that your cat has a hernia. If an umbilical cord hasn’t healed properly, it might result in an umbilical hernia.

As a result of the hernia, a small opening might form in the abdominal wall. This will result in a soft pouch that will bulge slightly at the scar's place in cats. Don’t worry, as most abdominal hernias heal with time on their own. But if the kitten is under a lot of physical pressure, then the hernia might develop into an infection.