As a pet owner, it may be surprising to know that the umbilicus in cats is not attached to anything, but it’s pretty common. If you wonder, “Do cats have belly buttons?” it is essentially just an open hole in your kitty’s abdomen.
This article will help you understand more about umbilical hernia in your feline friend.
How Can you Identify Umbilical Hernia in Cats?
The presence of this opening does not affect your cat in any way, even if it seems strange. A Cat’s umbilicus is generally small and hard to notice, but they can be larger in some cases. The umbilicus usually appears as a slight circular indentation on the belly of your cat, with pink skin around it.
In some cats, the umbilicus will turn outwards instead of being an indentation. If you look closely at your cat, you may find a small hole that fails to disappear when touched.
When Should You See a Vet for Umbilical Hernia?
In other cats, the umbilicus seems to be attached to an internal organ, like the intestines or the stomach. These kinds of holes are caused by defects in fetal development and can cause health problems.
According to medical reports, umbilical hernias in cats can be inherited through trauma.
You must take your cat to see a vet immediately if they have an umbilicus that seems to be attached incorrectly.
If your cat has a visible opening on its belly, you might notice that it gets more prominent when they eat or sometimes after exercise. It is just because the hole is directly connected to the intestines, and when the stomach expands with food, it puts pressure on the abdomen and slightly pushes the hole open.
If you notice that your cat’s umbilicus is inflamed, then it would be best for you to take it to your local vet immediately.
You should not be concerned about how big or small your cat’s umbilical hernia is unless it negatively affects their health. As long as you keep watching its belly button, it should not be a problem.
When Should Hernia in Cats be Operated?
If your cat’s umbilical hernia negatively affects its health, then the best course of action would be to have it surgically fixed by a veterinarian. It may seem scary at first, but most cats do recover quite nicely from this surgery.
After the umbilicus has been surgically removed, the hole will close up, and your cat won’t have to deal with it anymore. Their fur may cover this area, but you will notice that it is a bit smaller than before.
Your cat can resume its normal activities as soon as it has recovered from surgery, even though it may need to take it easy for a few days. The pain should subside within a week, and your cat will be back to its old self in no time.
Now that you have the answer to your question, i.e., “do cats have belly buttons?” you probably understand that umbilical hernias in cats are not something to be concerned about. All you have to do as a pet owner is keep an eye on their belly button.
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