If you have noticed that your cat cringes in pain and is very adamant about you not touching its underbelly below its ribcage, then your cat may have a hernia.

Anytime your cat expresses dislike or uncomfortable behaviour when and where you touch it, which could be any type of internal problem.

If your cat’s belly button (located just below its rib cage) is protruding in an unnatural manner or bulging, then there is most likely a hernia that has developed.

Your cat does need immediate medical attention, as the protruding belly button is just an outward sign that the lining of the abdomen or the fat or even a portion of the abdomen organ is actually what has the hernia, and its belly button is just the visual indicator. Read more on this at this website of the vet Marietta.