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Nothing is more precious than your dog greeting you at the door with kisses and a wildly wagging tail! She may lick your face and hands to show her love. But what if your dog is licking other areas, like her privates? This may make the experience not quite as precious for you! But what would cause her to lick her privates?
Have you noticed your female dog licking her privates? Are you worried about this behavior? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand this behavior can be both gross and concerning.
We’ve put together some information about why female dogs lick their privates and if this is something to be concerned about. Let’s get started!
Why Does a Female Dog Lick Her Privates?
When a female dog licks her privates, this can be normal canine behavior. Your dog may be licking her privates for these reasons:
Grooming: dogs may lick their private areas to groom. Both males and female dogs may do a quick pass after urinating. However, if your female dog does this several times a day or seems focused on this area, there may be another reason for her actions.
In heat: your female dog may also lick her privates when she’s in heat. Some dogs develop a bloody discharge from their vulva during this time, and it’s completely normal. When her cycle is over, your dog may quit licking this area. However, if your dog has been spayed and has developed a bloody discharge, she needs to see the vet. She may have an underlying condition or have suffered an injury.
UTIs: another common reason a female dog may lick her privates is that she has a UTI (urinary tract infection). These are common in female dogs because they have shorter urethras than male dogs. For this reason, it’s easier for female dogs to develop a UTI.
Skin allergy: your fur baby may also have a skin allergy around her private areas. This may be caused by environmental or food allergies, bug bites, parasites, and more. If your dog has a rash in this area, she needs to see the vet.
Impacted anal glands: another common problem that causes a dog to lick her privates is impacted anal glands. The dog’s anal glands are on either side of her rectum and can become infected, impacted, or irritated. This can lead to pain and discomfort. Your female dog may be trying to relieve this discomfort through constant licking. This is a condition that must be treated by the vet.
Summing It Up
These are the most common reasons your female dog may lick her private. If you notice that she seems intent on licking and does this several times a day, it’s time to make an appointment with the vet.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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