Guide: umbilical hernia in puppies
Umbilical Hernia in Puppies: Is It Serious and Does It Need Surgery?
An umbilical hernia in puppies is a soft bulge at the belly button, where the body wall did not close fully after birth. Most are small and painless. Small ones may close by three to four months of age, and the rest are usually repaired during the spay or neuter.
What an umbilical hernia is
Before birth, the umbilical cord passes through an opening in the puppy’s abdominal wall, called the umbilical ring. Normally that ring closes after birth. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that a hernia forms when the ring does not close fully, so the abdominal lining, some fat or part of an organ bulges through (VCA).
Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of the Animal Medical Center describes the usual look as an “outie” belly button, with a little abdominal fat poking through (AMC).
What an umbilical hernia in puppies looks like
- A soft swelling under the skin at the belly button
- Often more obvious when the puppy stands, barks or strains
- Usually painless
- From less than a quarter of an inch (1 cm) to more than an inch (2.5 cm) across, according to VCA
Vets sort hernias into two kinds. A reducible hernia can be pushed gently back into the abdomen. A non-reducible hernia cannot, because the contents are stuck.
What causes it
VCA says the exact cause is unknown. However, some family lines have more umbilical hernias than others, which suggests that the condition is at least partly inherited.
For that reason, a breeder should tell you about a hernia before you commit, and it should be written in the vet record. It is also something breeders weigh when they choose which dogs to breed. Our guide to dog health testing before breeding covers the wider picture.
Is an umbilical hernia in puppies serious?
Usually it is not. A small hernia that holds only a bit of fat causes no trouble.
The risk is rare but real. VCA warns that a loop of intestine or other tissue can become trapped and strangulated, which means its blood supply is cut off. That is an emergency and needs surgery at once. Go to a vet immediately if you see any of these:
- The bulge becomes larger, firm, warm or painful
- The bulge changes color
- The bulge can no longer be pushed back in
- Vomiting, a poor appetite or low energy
Will it close on its own?
| Hernia | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Small, under a quarter of an inch (1 cm) | May close without treatment by 3 to 4 months of age |
| Still open at spay or neuter age | Surgical repair is recommended |
| Larger, or with trapped contents | Repair is planned sooner, or done as an emergency |
These points come from VCA. Do not tape or bind the hernia at home. Simply have your vet check it at each puppy visit.
Surgery and recovery
The repair is a routine operation. The surgeon removes the scar tissue around the opening and closes the defect with stitches. According to VCA, it can be done at the same time as the spay or neuter, so the puppy needs only one anesthetic. Our guide on when to spay or neuter a small dog discusses timing.
The outlook is excellent. VCA reports that few puppies have a hernia come back, and few complications are seen.
Buying a puppy with an umbilical hernia
A small hernia is a common finding, and it need not rule out a puppy. Still, ask clear questions:
- Has a vet examined it, and what did they write?
- How big is it, and can it be pushed back in?
- Who pays if it needs repair? Check the health guarantee in the puppy contract.
- Will a pet insurance policy treat it as pre-existing?
Then have your own vet look at it at the first vet visit.
Related guides
- Puppy Vaccine Schedule and Deworming: What Is Done Before Go-Home and What Comes Next
- Coccidia in Puppies: Signs, Treatment and Cleaning Up
- Heart Murmur in Puppies: Innocent Murmurs and When to Worry
- Leptospirosis in Dogs: Signs, Risks and the Lepto Vaccine
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs: Signs, DNA Tests and Breeding
See all our puppy guides, read about our health testing, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Umbilical Hernia in Dogs. vcahospitals.com
- Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (Ann Hohenhaus, DVM). Hernias in Pets. amcny.org
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.
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