Why Do Male Dogs Lick Their Private Areas and When to Be Concerned

Male dogs often lick their private areas due to anxiety, stress, or medical issues.

Some common causes of excessive licking include skin allergies and anal gland problems.

Dogs may also lick themselves as a way to self-soothe, much like humans do when they're anxious.

A clean and well-maintained anal gland is essential for your dog's overall health and comfort, and regular check-ups can help prevent issues.

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Dogs don't seem to understand the concept of private parts, so they'll lick their penis and anus without hesitation. Unfortunately, this can be embarrassing for their owners.

Male dogs will lick their private areas for various reasons, including pleasure, to relieve discomfort, or even as part of their sexual behavior if there's a female dog in heat nearby.

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Genital licking in dogs is a normal behavior, but it can also be a sign of an underlying issue. Excessive licking can indicate something sinister like allergies or UTIs.

Dogs may lick their genitals after urinating and their anal region if feces are stuck in their fur. This is a universal dog practice, not limited by gender, age, size, or level of training.

A simple case of licking for hygiene can turn obsessive, as observed in a study of 126 cats and dogs with OCD. An animal behaviorist and veterinarian is best suited to deal with this issue.

Male dogs lick themselves at their privates to keep them clean, but abnormal preputial (sheath) discharge is the biggest cause of excessive genital licking in male dogs. UTIs, prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence are leading causes of discharge and issues of a dog's privates.

Dogs can have normal whitish-yellow "smegma" discharge that's not a medical issue, but any discharge or pus emanating from the preputial indicates an issue. A dog can lick the genitals more frequently to clean the area.

Pain around the genitals due to illness or injury can cause a dog to lick their private area and cry. You'll likely see blood if an injury is the cause of excessive crotch licking, but look out for signs of bladder stones.

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Red, inflamed genitals may indicate an allergic reaction or an infection and cause increased licking of the privates in dogs. Food and seasonal allergies and contact dermatitis can be the issue, but a vet will need to look for UTIs or bacteria and fungal infections.

Dogs with allergies suffer from intense itchiness and will lick and scratch themselves incessantly. They will lick their entire body and even look like they're licking air if they can't reach the area.

Urinary tract infections can cause a dog to lick their groin excessively, often accompanied by frequent urination and straining.

Dogs with UTIs may feel an intense urgency to urinate but produce very little, similar to humans.

Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria that respond well to antibiotic treatments.

If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, it's essential to address the issue promptly to prevent further complications.

Bladder stones or inflammation can also lead to a dog licking their private areas, and may require further testing such as an ultrasound examination.

If your dog's symptoms persist after trying the above steps, it's crucial to have their urine and blood work tested to determine the underlying cause.

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If your dog is constantly licking their private area, it could be a sign of a medical problem. This behavior is a red flag that warrants a conversation with your vet.

Constant or sustained licking of the private area may be indicative of a medical problem, so it's essential to keep an eye out for this behavior. If you notice your dog frequently licking that area or licking it for long periods, it's time to chat with your vet.

Some other signs of illness to watch out for include swollen or red genital areas, swollen anus, pimples on the skin, skin discoloration, straining to urinate, increased urination, scooting the bum on the ground, and discharge from the privates.

Here are some specific signs to look out for:

Male dogs lick their private areas to keep them clean, as they should be allowed to do so normally.

A dog's penis is covered by a sheath, the preputial, and any discharge or pus emanating from it indicates an issue.

Excessive genital licking in male dogs can be caused by abnormal preputial discharge, UTIs, prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence.

Male dogs may also lick their genitals more frequently to clean the area if they have normal whitish-yellow "smegma" discharge, which is not a medical issue.

If a male dog is licking his private area and crying, it may be a sign of pain due to illness or injury.

You should investigate your dog's private areas for any wounds or lacerations if you suspect the licking is due to an injury.

Licking the crotch due to pain allows a dog to stimulate healing with their saliva's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

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If your male dog is excessively licking his private area and crying, it's likely due to pain around the genitals caused by an illness or injury.

Pain can be caused by wounds or lacerations in the private areas, and you may see blood if an injury is the cause of excessive crotch licking.

Look out for signs of bladder stones, which can also cause pain and discomfort around the genitals.

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If your dog's excessive licking is accompanied by red, inflamed genitals, it may be a sign of an allergic reaction or infection.

Dogs with allergies can exhibit intense itchiness, leading them to lick and scratch themselves constantly, even to the point of licking their entire body or seemingly licking air if they can't reach the affected area.

Notice if your dog's licking is triggered by walks or meals, as this could indicate an allergy to something they're coming into contact with.

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If your dog is licking and crying, it's likely due to pain around the genitals caused by illness or injury.

Pain around the genitals can be caused by injuries, such as wounds or lacerations, which may require a vet visit to rule out infections or obstructions.

Look for signs of blood in the affected area, which may indicate an injury.

The licking can stimulate healing due to the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of a dog's saliva.

The act of licking also triggers the release of endorphins, which helps injured dogs deal with pain better.

In some cases, the licking may be due to illnesses such as urogenital tract cancers or infections of the urinary tract.

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Dogs licking their genitals is a common behavior that's often misunderstood.

Dogs lick their private areas to stay clean, just like their feline counterparts. Normally, a quick lick or two is enough to clean the area after urinating or having a bowel movement.

Excessive licking can indicate a wide range of health issues, so it's essential to monitor your dog's behavior.

Genital licking is a universal dog practice, not limited by gender, age, size, or level of training. Usually, canines should be allowed to lick their crotches, as it's perfectly normal behavior.

Mother dogs start licking their puppy's genitals to clean up after them in the first weeks of life, so this is very basic grooming behavior.

A simple case of licking for hygiene can turn obsessive, as observed in a study of 126 cats and dogs with OCD. An animal behaviorist and veterinarian is best suited to deal with this issue.

Licking is a form of self-soothing in dogs, and the genitals aren't exempt. You'll see a nervous dog licking their paws and legs, so why not the crotch?

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