5 Types of Hernias in Dogs

Quick Take

• One hernia type gives vets a brutally narrow window to act, and that window begins closing the moment organs drift into the wrong cavity. See the emergency details →
• Intact dogs face a sharply higher risk of two specific hernia types, and one routine procedure changes the odds dramatically. Intact dogs and hernia risk →
• Some hernias look harmless from the outside while silently trapping organs inside, and it is not always obvious which type you are dealing with. Spot the warning signs →
• Most hernias in dogs can't be prevented no matter what you do, though a specific subset are almost entirely within your control. Prevention strategies explained →

More than 90% of hernias in dogs are congenital (present at birth), often resulting from inherited developmental issues. The remaining cases are acquired later in life due to trauma, obesity, or excessive strain. Additionally, intact dogs face a higher risk of developing specific types of hernias, such as perineal or inguinal hernias, due to hormonal and anatomical factors. Continue reading to learn about the five types of hernias in dogs, their causes, and how they’re diagnosed and treated.

Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical hernias are the most common hernias in puppies. They occur at the umbilicus (belly button) with varying degrees of severity.

Small hernias often resolve naturally or get repaired during routine spaying/neutering. Large hernias typically require immediate surgery because abdominal organs can slip through an abnormal tear, hole, or weak spot in the muscle wall, cutting off their blood supply.

Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal hernias occur where a dog’s hind leg attaches to their body, on the underside by their tummy.

These hernias are more common in intact (unspayed) female dogs, especially middle-aged to older ones, though other dogs can develop inguinal hernias. These hernias can trap the bladder, womb, and bowel, which may slip through the natural passage in the groin known as the inguinal canal.

When surgery is required, it is performed on the affected side. In some cases, both sides may be affected, but this is less common.

Diaphragmatic Hernia

A diaphragmatic hernia is a hole or tear in the diaphragm—the muscle separating a dog’s chest and abdomen. This defect allows abdominal organs to migrate into the chest cavity, which compresses the lungs and causes severe breathing difficulties. It is either congenital (present at birth) or acquired through severe trauma.

The biggest risk of these hernias is that abdominal organs will enter the chest, making it difficult for a dog to breathe.

This is an emergent condition that typically requires surgery. If your dog has other injuries from the trauma, they may be hospitalized while the vet waits for them to stabilize enough for surgery.

A dog’s prognosis is good if it survives the first 48 hours after surgery, but overall, this is a critical diagnosis.

Perineal Hernia

Perineal hernias occur when the muscles that make up the pelvic floor or diaphragm (such as the levator ani and coccygeus) weaken, atrophy, or tear. This allows pelvic fat, the rectum, or even abdominal organs (like the bladder or intestines) to bulge beneath the skin near the anus.

Pelvic organs such as the bladder, rectum, or intestines can become trapped by this type of hernia if it becomes large enough. Treatment often requires surgery and may include stool softeners to prevent a dog from straining when they poop, as this can increase the size of the hernia.

Medications may help manage symptoms or reduce straining, but surgical repair is generally required to resolve perineal hernias. Neutering your dog during or after treatment reduces the chance that they’ll develop future hernias and will likely be recommended by your vet.

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper portion of the stomach pushes upward into the chest cavity. The hiatus is a tight opening designed specifically for the esophagus (food pipe) to pass through. It is supposed to fit snugly around the esophagus to keep the stomach firmly anchored below the diaphragm.

When the muscle tissue surrounding the hiatus weakens due to age, pressure, or genetics, the opening stretches, allowing the stomach to abnormally roll upward into the chest cavity.

Hiatal hernias in dogs are most commonly congenital or due to anatomical defects, especially in brachycephalic breeds, though they can occasionally result from trauma.

Symptoms of Hernias in Dogs

• A soft, protruding mass
• Swelling in the area the hernia is located
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty breathing

Diagnosing Hernias in Dogs

Diagnosis of hernias takes multiple steps. First, a vet will perform a basic examination of your dog, which will include feeling their body for any masses or swelling.

They’ll also ask questions about your dog’s health and any symptoms you’ve noticed at home. To confirm the diagnosis of a hernia, they’ll then perform X-rays or an ultrasound.

Your veterinarian may also perform other tests, such as bloodwork, to either rule out other illnesses or confirm that a hernia is present.

Treatment of Hernias in Dogs

Treatment may be as simple as waiting for the hernia to repair itself if it’s small, especially in the case of umbilical hernias.

Sometimes a vet may prescribe medication to help a dog’s symptoms as the hernia heals, or to ensure the hernia doesn’t become larger. Stool softeners may be given to a dog with a perineal hernia to prevent them from straining and tearing it further, for example.

Treatment often requires surgical intervention to repair the hernia and reposition displaced organs.

Preventing Hernias in Dogs

Most hernias cannot be prevented because 90% of them are present at birth. However, there are ways to prevent older dogs from developing hernias.

First, spay or neuter your dog once they’re fully grown (or whenever your vet recommends based on their breed). This will prevent pregnancies, which can cause inguinal hernias. Neutering can also lessen your dog’s chance of developing perineal hernias, since these are most common in unneutered males.

Try to keep your dog out of harm’s way to avoid severe injuries or trauma, which can cause hernias. Dogs should be leashed or kept in a fenced area unless they reliably come when called, regardless of distractions.

If your dog is an escape artist, make sure your yard is properly enclosed. This might mean a tall fence they cannot jump over, or fencing that continues underground to prevent digging. Alternatively, you can supervise them in the yard so that they can’t escape without your noticing.

For door-dashers, put your dog in a secure area before opening the door. This is a short-term solution, while a longer-term one would be to train them not to cross the threshold. Most dogs suffer injuries when they run away unsupervised or when they’re allowed off-leash around car traffic or unfamiliar dogs.

Luckily, controlling hernias caused by injuries is almost one-hundred percent within our control. As their guardians, it’s our responsibility to keep our dogs safe.