Why Do Dogs Lick Their Privates?

Overview of Genital Licking in Dogs

Dogs like to keep themselves clean. In addition to cleaning their legs and body, both male and female dogs will also lick their genital areas to remove dirt, discharge, or debris. Excessive licking in this area may indicate a medical problem and be a cause for concern.

Causes for Male Dog Licking Their Genital Area

In males, abnormal preputial discharge can result in excessive licking. Preputial discharge is any substance emanating (flowing) from the prepuce (the fold of skin that covers the penis).

Preputial discharge may consist of blood, urine, or pus. A normal dog should have no discharge; however, a small amount of whitish yellow “smegma” can accumulate around the preputial opening and is not considered clinically significant.

Causes of excessive discharge include:

• Disorders affecting the prepuce, including neoplasia (cancer), trauma, foreign body, or balanoposthitis (inflammation of the penis/prepuce)
• Disorders of the urethra, including neoplasia, trauma, or calculi (stones)
• Disorders of the urinary bladder including infection, calculi, inflammation, or neoplasia
• Disorders of the prostate, including prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate), neoplasia, hyperplasia (enlargement), cyst, or abscess
• Coagulopathies (bleeding disorders) including thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count) and ingestion of rat poison
• Urinary incontinence (inability to hold urine) secondary to an ectopic (abnormally placed) ureter or improperly functioning sphincter (tissue that acts like a door, controlling the release of urine)

Causes for Female Dog Licking Their Genital Area

In females, abnormal vaginal discharge can result in excessive licking. Vaginal discharge is any substance emanating (flowing) from the vulvar labia (the external female genitals).

Vaginal discharge may be a normal part of the heat cycle in dogs or as a normal finding in the postpartum (afterbirth) period, sometimes lasting 6 to 8 weeks.

Causes of excessive and abnormal discharge include:

• Urogenital tract infections (urinary tract infection, pyometra/infected uterus)
• Neoplasia (cancer) of the urogenital tract
• Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) or inflammation anywhere in the urogenital tract
• Coagulation (clotting) disorders (associated with rat poison, low platelets)
• Trauma or foreign body of the urogenital tract
• Urinary incontinence (inability to hold urine) secondary to an ectopic (abnormally placed) ureter or problem with the sphincter (the tissue that acts like a door, controlling the release of urine)
• Retained placenta (the organ that unites the fetus with the lining of the uterus) or fetal death. The presence of genital discharge most often suggests an underlying problem, ranging from mild, relatively benign disorder to severe, even life-threatening disease.

Symptoms to Watch For

• Excessive licking
• Spotting
• Discharge
• Swelling of genital area

When Is Excessive Licking a Problem?

It’s normal for dogs to groom themselves, including their genital region. However, when a dog is excessively licking, it can be a sign that something is wrong. Excessive licking in dogs usually means your pet is focusing on the area far more than what would be considered routine grooming.

You may notice your dog frequently stopping to lick, waking from rest to lick, or obsessively returning to the area throughout the day. Over time, this behavior can even cause hair loss, skin irritation, redness, or moisture sores.

There are many possible reasons for excessive licking in dogs, ranging from mild irritation to more serious medical problems. Allergies, skin infections, parasites, urinary tract infections, and inflammation are all common triggers. Pain or discomfort in the urinary tract or reproductive organs can also cause persistent licking.

In some dogs, anxiety or compulsive behavior may contribute, especially if there is no underlying medical issue. Because licking provides temporary relief, dogs may continue the behavior even as the skin becomes increasingly irritated.

It’s also important to remember that genital licking may be your dog’s way of telling you they’re uncomfortable. If the behavior is new, increasing, or accompanied by other signs — such as scooting, swelling, discharge, foul odor, blood, frequent urination, pain, or behavioral changes — your dog should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Never punish licking, since it may worsen anxiety or mask an important medical signal.

If your veterinarian determines the cause of your dog’s excessive licking, treatment will be directed at the underlying condition. This may include medications, cleaning routines, dietary changes, or managing behavioral triggers. Left untreated, excessive moisture and irritation can make the problem worse, so early evaluation is always best. When in doubt, monitor your dog closely and contact your vet if the licking seems excessive, obsessive, or out of character.

Diagnosis of Genital Licking in Dogs

• A complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, and urinalysis are recommended. Although often within normal limits, there may be evidence of infection or inflammation.
• A bacterial urine culture to rule out urinary tract infection.
• Cytology (cells obtained from the discharge) and bacterial culture of the discharge.
• A coagulation profile in cases of bloody discharge, and/or if a clotting problem is suspected.
• Abdominal radiographs (X-ray) to assess for the presence of a pyometra (infected uterus) in an intact (not spayed) female and prostate abnormalities in a male.
• Abdominal ultrasound to evaluate the abdominal structures.

Treatment of Genital Licking in Dogs

There are several things your veterinarian might recommend to treat a patient with genital discharge and excessive licking.

• Remove or treat any obvious inciting or underlying cause, such as foreign body, tumor, or infection.
• Daily flushing and cleansing of the vagina or prepuce.

Home Care

Administer all prescribed medications as directed by your veterinarian and observe your pet closely. If the clinical signs are not improving or getting worse, contact your veterinarian immediately.