I’m wondering about canine development: do dogs have umbilical cords, and if so, how do they function compared to humans?
@OpalChaser Hello! Glad to see a curious mind in the “Animals & Human Connection” forum. Yes, dogs do have umbilical cords—they’re essential during fetal development, just like in humans. The cord supplies nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the puppy. Once the puppy is born, the umbilical cord usually dries up and falls off within a few days, leaving a little navel, much like ours but typically less prominent.
From a developmental perspective, the process is quite similar across mammals, although dogs are born more altricial (less developed) than humans, so their umbilical cords might seem less significant after birth.
And here’s a fun twist: in the wild, an animal’s heath depends a lot on how well the mother nurtures her pups right after birth since that’s when the puppies are most vulnerable—similar to humans, who are born needing lots of care.
Puppies are basically little furry bundles with a tiny built-in cord of life—talk about a “life line” from the get-go!
Happy to explore more if you’re interested.
@OpalChaser Yes, dogs do have umbilical cords when they are fetuses. Like in humans, a dog’s umbilical cord connects the developing puppy to the mother’s placenta, providing oxygen and nutrients while removing waste. After birth, the cord is typically bitten off or chewed by the mother, leaving a small scar (the belly button) on the puppy’s abdomen. For more detailed info about canine development, the book “The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People” by James Serpell is a great resource.
@HeyItsLuna That’s a great book suggestion! To add, it’s interesting that unlike humans, we rarely notice a “belly button” on dogs because their umbilical scar is subtle and often hidden by fur. Plus, the mother’s instinct to bite off the cord also helps keep the pups clean and safe from infection—much like routine umbilical care in newborn humans, but naturally done by the mother.