Hernias are one of the most common congenital conditions in puppies, particularly umbilical hernias, which form at the belly button area shortly after birth. A large-scale study of congenital defects in puppies found umbilical hernias in about 0.6% of all puppies examined, making them a frequent finding in veterinary clinics even if most individual litters won’t have one. The good news is that most puppy hernias are small, painless, and either resolve on their own or are easily fixed with minor surgery.
Types of Hernias in Puppies
Not all puppy hernias are the same. The type depends on where the opening in the body wall forms, and some are far more common than others.
Umbilical hernias are by far the most frequent. These appear as a soft lump right at the belly button, where the umbilical cord was attached before birth. During development, blood vessels pass through a small opening in the abdominal muscles called the umbilical ring. If that ring doesn’t fully close after birth, tissue from inside the abdomen can push through the gap. Most umbilical hernias contain only fat, though larger ones can allow loops of intestine to slip through.
Inguinal hernias occur in the groin area and are the second most common type. These develop when the inguinal canal, a natural passage near the hind legs, remains too wide. They’re more common in female puppies and certain small breeds.
Diaphragmatic hernias are rarer and more serious. These happen when the diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen) doesn’t form properly during development, allowing abdominal organs to push into the chest cavity. A specific subtype called a peritoneopericardial hernia occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully separate the abdomen from the sac surrounding the heart. These are present from birth but sometimes aren’t detected until later in life.
Hiatal hernias involve the opening where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm. In puppies, the “sliding” type is most common, where part of the stomach intermittently slides up into the chest cavity. This can cause symptoms like regurgitation and difficulty swallowing.
Breeds at Higher Risk
Certain breeds are genetically predisposed to hernias, and the type of hernia varies by breed. For umbilical hernias, Airedale Terriers, Basenjis, Pekingese, Pointers, and Weimaraners are overrepresented. The predisposition runs in family lines, so if a puppy’s parents or siblings had umbilical hernias, the odds are higher.
Inguinal hernias have an even longer list of susceptible breeds: Basenjis, Pekingese, Standard Poodles, Basset Hounds, Cairn Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Pomeranians, Maltese, and West Highland White Terriers. Research has confirmed inguinal hernias are heritable in Basenjis, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Dachshunds specifically.
If you’re getting a puppy from a breeder and the breed is on these lists, it’s worth asking whether either parent had a hernia. Reputable breeders generally avoid pairing two dogs that both have hernias, even small ones, and won’t breed dogs with large hernias at all.
What a Hernia Looks and Feels Like
An umbilical hernia typically shows up as a soft, squishy bulge at the puppy’s belly button. You might notice it when your puppy is on its back during play or a belly rub. In most cases, you can gently press the lump and feel the contents slide back into the abdomen. This is called a “reducible” hernia, and it’s the least concerning type.
Most small umbilical hernias cause no pain at all. Your puppy will eat, play, and behave completely normally. The only sign is that visible or palpable lump on the belly. Inguinal hernias present similarly but in the groin, sometimes appearing as soft swelling near the inner thigh.
When a Hernia Becomes Dangerous
The real risk with any hernia is strangulation. This happens when abdominal contents (usually a loop of intestine) push through the opening and get trapped. The tissue swells, cutting off its own blood supply. A strangulated hernia can cause intestinal blockage, tissue death, and can become life-threatening quickly.
Signs of a strangulated hernia include:
- The hernia sac becomes large, firm, and warm to the touch
- The lump can no longer be pushed back in
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain (crying, hunching, reluctance to move)
- Lethargy or depression
With only skin separating the abdominal organs from the outside world, larger hernias carry a greater risk. If you notice any of these signs, your puppy needs veterinary attention the same day.
Can a Hernia Close on Its Own?
Small umbilical hernias often do close without treatment as the puppy grows and the abdominal muscles strengthen. This is most likely when the hernia is tiny (roughly the width of a fingertip or smaller) and contains only a small amount of fat. Your vet can assess the size at your puppy’s first few checkups and let you know whether it’s likely to resolve.
Larger hernias, or those that persist past a few months of age, generally won’t close on their own and will need surgical repair.
How Hernia Repair Works
Hernia surgery in puppies is straightforward. The vet pushes the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and closes the opening in the muscle wall with sutures. Recovery is typically quick, and most puppies bounce back within a week or two.
The most practical detail for puppy owners: if your puppy’s hernia isn’t causing any problems, the repair can usually be scheduled at the same time as their spay or neuter. This means one round of anesthesia instead of two, which is easier on your puppy and your wallet. At some clinics, adding a reducible hernia repair onto a spay or neuter costs as little as $50 to $100 extra.
Large hernias or those showing signs of complications may need to be repaired sooner, without waiting for a spay or neuter. Your vet will make this call based on how large the opening is and what’s pushing through it.
What to Do If Your Puppy Has a Hernia
If you feel a small, soft bump on your puppy’s belly, don’t panic. Have your vet examine it at your next scheduled visit. They’ll check whether the hernia is reducible, estimate the size of the opening, and recommend either monitoring or surgical repair. Most puppies with small umbilical hernias live completely normal lives, whether the hernia closes on its own or gets a quick fix during their spay or neuter.
In the meantime, check the hernia periodically. As long as it stays soft, small, and easy to push in, it’s unlikely to cause trouble. If it suddenly changes in size, firmness, or temperature, or if your puppy starts showing signs of pain or illness, move up that vet appointment.