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Why Do Dogs Lick Their Private Parts?
Most of the time dogs are a hoot, but sometimes their little quirks and peccadillos are a bit… hmm… eccentric by human standards. It’s time to talk about it – why in the world do dogs lick their unmentionable bits?
Writer Roi Kadosh
5 min read
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Look, we’re not going to beat around the bush like some other guys. You can look the other way when your dog is eating garbage or grass, sniffing other pups’ butts, or maybe even chewing poop… but licking their own private parts?! At long last, have they no shame?!
They are, in fact, very much not ashamed. Actually, you may have already noticed that your dog’s relatively relaxed when they’re licking their genitals- and they may even enjoy it more in front of your guests. Are they proud of the habit or maybe just trying to make you feel embarrassed? Let’s dive in.
Is licking private parts ever acceptable?
In the mysterious dog world, licking genitals is considered normal cleaning behavior. You might spot a dog doing it, for instance, after peeing. Essentially, it’s their version of taking a shower. Even better than a shower, in fact, since a quick swipe will do the job.
But what about the, uh, anal area? Do they lick that after going number 2? We’re sorry to report that the answer is yes… but rarely, if that’s any consolation.
If your dog is suffering from watery or loose stool, they may lick that area because they believe the place needs to be tidied up, so to speak. However, they rarely do this when they have normal, firm bowel movements. So if your dog is obsessing over their chocolate starfish, maybe have a vet take a closer look.
When is licking the genitals considered a problem
Repeated or continuous licking of the area around the genitals or anus may point to a medical problem. If you notice some of the following signs, you should contact your vet:
- Swollen or red vulva, penis, or anus
- Existence of red bumps or pimples (pustules) on the skin
- Modified skin color (rust or black colored)
- Straining to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Rubbing the anal area on the floor (scooting)
- Presence of a stinky odor
- Discharge from the vulva or penis
A comprehensive medical exam, sometimes including blood and urine tests, will assist in detecting your dog’s problem.
The most common reasons dogs lick their private parts
Urinary tract infection
If you’ve ever had a UTI, then you understand how uncomfortable they can be, often causing a burning sensation after urination. Pets with UTIs tend to lick their genitalia after urination. This symptom is often also accompanied by more frequent urination or blood in the urine. UTIs are more common in female dogs, but can happen in either gender. If you suspect your pet has a UTI, it’s important to bring them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Anal gland issues
Both female and male dogs often lick their anus to keep it clean, but sometimes they do so because they have a problem.
Dogs have glands on both sides of their anus, and licking this area can indicate a full, infected or blocked anal gland. These glands fill up with smelly fluid that is typically discharged during defecation. Once this gland becomes too full or blocked, the irritation and discomfort your dog feels could lead them to lick this area excessively.
Another sign of irritation in this area is scooting along the ground to get rid of the pressure related to the blocked anal gland. Often, a vet will have to express or drain that gland to put an end to that annoying and painful irritation. Once the procedure is done, symptoms typically resolve quickly.
Blocked anal glands are a real pain in the butt (pun intended) so the faster you treat them, the faster your dog will be pain-free!
Allergies
Allergies can cause a dog to itch and lick themselves in all areas, including the perianal or genital regions. Allergies may be seasonal or not depending on the underlying cause, which can vary from pollens to molds to even certain foods. If you suspect your pet has allergies, your veterinarian can offer medications to help manage their itch level and skin inflammation to hopefully avoid secondary consequences like skin infections.
Skin Infections
First things first, if your pet is continuously licking their rear end or genitals, check the skin in that area and look for signs of a skin infection like redness, ulceration, crusting or abnormal discharge. A skin infection may be bacterial or fungal and often requires intervention by a veterinarian, so if you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with your pet’s veterinarian.
Stress and fear
If your canine doesn’t stop licking those parts even after ruling out any physical problem, it might be a result of stress or fear or an obsessive-compulsive type behavior. In this case, you can visit a dog behaviorist or trainer to ask for advice.
What not to do
Whatever you do, do not punish your dog for excessive licking- remember that they’re only trying to soothe themselves or communicate distress, and punishment will be ineffective at addressing the cause of the behavior. Instead, be patient as you try to discover why your dog is licking excessively, and once you find the cause, take steps to ease your pet’s discomfort. When the discomfort is gone, the undesirable behavior will resolve as well.
The most important thing to know- if the underlying cause for the licking ends up being one of the medical issues we mentioned, they- and many, many others- will be covered by Animalia’s dog insurance. Animalia Pet Insurance – coverage that’s finger lickin’ good.
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