Dog Licking Private Area a Lot: Causes and When to Worry

Most licking is normal grooming. Here is how to tell it apart from a UTI, a skin infection or an emergency, in male and female dogs.

Quick answer: Brief licking after peeing, or during a heat, is normal grooming. Constant licking with redness, a foul smell or frequent peeing often means a urinary tract infection, skin infection or allergy; see a vet within 1-2 days. Straining with little or no urine, a penis that will not go back in, or an unspayed female who vomits or seems ill after a heat needs an emergency vet now.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think your pet is in danger, go to the nearest emergency animal hospital.

Normal grooming or a problem?

Dogs lick their private area to keep it clean, usually for a few seconds after peeing. What matters is how often it happens and what comes with it: red skin, a discharge, a strong smell, peeing more often or a dog who seems unwell. Use this table, and if more than one row fits, follow the most urgent one. If your dog needs a vet today or the same day and your regular vet is closed, go to an emergency vet.

What you see	Likely cause	What to do
Quick licking after peeing, no other signs	Normal grooming	Nothing needed
Unspayed, in heat, bloody discharge	Normal heat	Watch; keep males away
Constant licking, red skin, musty smell	Skin, yeast or allergy	Vet in 1-2 days
Frequent small pees or accidents	Possible UTI	Vet in 1-2 days for a urine test
Fishy smell, scooting, licking the rear	Anal glands	Vet in 1-2 days
Small sticky discharge, puppy under 1 year	Puppy vaginitis	Vet if heavy, smelly or bloody
Blood in urine, normal amounts, acting normal	UTI, stones, prostate	Vet within 24 hours
Heavy pus-like discharge from the sheath	Sheath infection	Vet in 1-2 days; sooner if painful
Pus-like, bloody or foul discharge after heat ended	Possible pyometra	Vet today, in person
Unspayed, vomiting, not eating or weak after heat	Possible pyometra	ER now
Penis stays out or will not go down	Stuck penis	ER now
Painful, swollen testicle	Torsion or infection	ER now
Straining, little or no urine	Blockage	ER now

When it is an emergency

Go to an emergency vet now, not a video visit, for any of these:

• Straining with little or no urine, again and again, or you cannot tell whether your dog is trying to pee or poop. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that urethral obstruction is an emergency.
• A penis that stays out and will not go back in needs an emergency vet now; it swells quickly and is easier to treat early. Keep him from licking it on the way, and do not try to force it back in. A brief slip-out when he is excited that goes back by itself is normal.
• An erection that will not go down (priapism) needs an emergency vet now.
• A painful, swollen testicle or scrotum in an intact male. Merck notes that damage from a twisted testicle can become permanent within hours.
• An unspayed female who vomits, will not eat, has a swollen or painful belly or seems weak, especially in the weeks to months after a heat, with or without a discharge (possible pyometra).
• A mother dog who recently gave birth and vomits, will not eat or seems weak, especially with a discharge (possible metritis, a uterine infection).

Female dogs: infections, skin folds, heat and pyometra

Vaginitis. VCA Animal Hospitals lists the signs of vaginitis as peeing more often, licking the area, a mucus or pus-like discharge (blood is rare) and scooting. Causes include a UTI, brucellosis and urinary leaking. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that adult vaginitis usually occurs in spayed females.

Puppy vaginitis. In females under 1 year old, Merck says it often shows as a small amount of clear to cloudy, sticky discharge with occasional licking, and VCA says it clears after the first heat in most cases. Keep the area clean. See a vet if the discharge is heavy, smelly or bloody, if she pees more often, seems uncomfortable, dribbles urine or is often wet underneath, or if it does not improve after her first heat. If a spay is planned, ask your vet whether it changes the timing of her spay.

Recessed vulva. Here the vulva sits under a fold of skin that traps moisture. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) lists licking, a foul smell or discharge and red, irritated skin as signs, and notes it can lead to repeat UTIs. Merck and VCA say it is more common in medium and larger breeds, and extra weight makes it worse. In mild cases a vet may suggest cleaning the fold and weight loss; this often controls signs but is not a permanent fix, and severe cases may need surgery (vulvoplasty).

Heat. VCA notes that a bloody discharge is often the first sign of heat that owners notice, that a dog in heat often pees more, and that most dogs come into heat about twice a year. She may clean herself more, which is expected. A pink or red swelling bulging from her private area during heat (vaginal hyperplasia) needs a vet today; use a cone to stop the licking.

Pyometra. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center describes this uterine infection in unspayed females as a medical emergency that often develops 1 to 2 months after the last heat and is treated with spay surgery. With an open cervix there is a cream-colored or bloody discharge. A closed pyometra may show no discharge at all, only low energy, drinking more, vomiting or a swollen belly. A pus-like, bloody or foul discharge after her heat has ended, or heavy drinking or tiredness after a heat, needs an in-person vet the same day (an emergency vet if your regular vet is closed); vomiting, not eating or weakness means an emergency vet now.

Spayed dogs and new mothers. A spayed dog who shows heat signs again should see a vet within 24 hours, because leftover ovarian tissue (Merck calls this ovarian remnant syndrome) can cause a stump infection; if she also vomits, will not eat or seems weak, go to an emergency vet now. A mother dog who recently gave birth and has a heavier or foul discharge, fever, poor appetite or less interest in her puppies needs a vet today; if she vomits, will not eat or seems weak, she needs an emergency vet now.

Leaking, not licking? Wet spots where she sleeps point to urine leaking, which has its own causes; mention it to your vet.

Male dogs: sheath discharge, a stuck penis and the prostate

Normal discharge. Merck notes that many mature males have a slight sheath discharge of little medical importance. Neutering reduces it but does not stop it, so a small amount of mucus-like discharge and an occasional lick are normal.

Sheath infection. Merck says the main sign is a heavy, often pus-like discharge, which can come with excessive licking and pain. Causes include bacteria, injury, grass awns, a UTI or bladder stones, and tumors. See a vet within 1-2 days, or sooner if he seems painful. Any lump, sore or bleeding growth on the genitals also needs a vet within 1-2 days.

Prostate problems. Merck notes that an enlarged prostate (BPH) is the most common prostate problem in intact male dogs. Many show no signs; others have blood in the urine or a bloody discharge from the sheath. BPH is not painful, so pain points to another cause. An intact male with blood from the sheath who is otherwise well needs a vet visit soon; one with pain, fever, straining to poop, vomiting or not eating needs to be seen today.

Both sexes: UTIs, stones, allergies, fleas and anal glands

UTIs and bladder stones. Cornell notes that UTIs are common, especially in females, and lists the signs as straining to pee, frequent small pees, accidents, foul-smelling urine, excessive licking of the genitals and blood in the urine; bladder stones cause similar signs. Straining with little or no urine needs an emergency vet now. Frequent small pees, accidents or strong-smelling urine mean a vet within 1-2 days for a urine test, or today if your dog is also vomiting, not eating or acting sick. Blood in the urine in a dog who pees normal amounts and acts normal needs a vet within 24 hours; see dog peeing blood but acting normal. Cornell adds that diabetes, Cushing's disease, kidney disease and a recessed vulva make UTIs more likely, so repeat UTIs, or licking plus drinking and peeing more, call for a workup with bloodwork, not just more antibiotics.

Allergies, yeast and fleas. VCA notes that skin yeast causes itching, redness, a musty odor and greasy, thickened or darker skin, and that any underlying allergy has to be managed too. Look for fleas near the base of the tail. Constant licking with red skin or a musty smell in a dog who is acting well means a vet within 1-2 days.

Anal glands. Cornell notes that anal sac disease causes a fishy odor, scooting and licking at the rear. A fishy smell often points to the anal glands; a foul smell with discharge or red skin at the vulva or sheath points to a skin-fold infection, vaginitis or a UTI. Swelling, pus, blood or a draining hole beside the anus needs a vet the same day.

Brucellosis and habit. An intact or breeding dog with genital discharge, swollen testicles or a recent mating should be tested for Brucella, which can spread to people; ask your vet. Once a vet rules out medical causes, some dogs lick out of habit or boredom.

Licking after a spay or neuter

The ASPCA advises keeping the cone on at all times, because even a little licking can open the incision or cause a painful infection. If your dog can still reach the incision, call the clinic that did the surgery. An incision that oozes or looks different after licking needs a same-day hands-on recheck, ideally at that clinic. One that opens or has anything poking out needs an emergency vet now; do not push it back in. For male dogs, see swollen scrotum or open incision after a neuter.

What to do at home before the vet visit

• Look in good light for redness, swelling, sores or discharge, and take a clear photo.
• Note the discharge color and smell, when the licking started, peeing changes, the last heat, and spay or neuter status.
• Block the licking with a soft cone or a snug T-shirt, and gently pat the area dry if it is wet.
• No human creams. Do not put human creams, including antibiotic ointment or hydrocortisone, on the area unless a vet says to; your dog will lick it off. Skip essential oils and other home remedies too. If your dog licked off a cream, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (per-incident fee).
• No leftover antibiotics and no human pain relievers, and do not squeeze the anal glands yourself.

What the vet will check

A vet usually wants a urine test first, often with a urine culture, to confirm an infection and choose the right antibiotic. Merck notes the sample is ideally collected with a needle straight from the bladder, and that a culture is recommended but not required for every bladder infection. The 2022 AAFP/AAHA stewardship guidelines say culture and susceptibility testing "aids in the appropriate selection of antimicrobials." Other checks include skin or vaginal cytology, and ultrasound or bloodwork for pyometra, the prostate or repeat UTIs. These tests are done in person; bring your notes and photos.

When a video visit helps

If your dog keeps licking the private area but is eating, peeing normally and acting well, a $64.99 live video visit with Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM, can be a private first step. Your dog must be located in Florida, New York or Virginia, and live video slots run about 8 AM-11 PM ET. You can show her the area from home on live video, and clear photos you show during the visit help too. She will ask about heat cycles, spay or neuter status, peeing habits, fleas and scooting, and tell you whether this looks like skin irritation or allergy, a likely urinary infection that needs a urine test, or something that needs a hands-on exam soon. She can also point you to in-person or emergency vets near you.

A video visit cannot collect or test urine or run skin or vaginal cytology, and no prescription is promised: a vet usually wants a urine test, often with a culture, before choosing an antibiotic for a urinary infection, and state and federal rules limit what can be prescribed after a video-only visit. RexVet is not a pharmacy; if a prescription is sent to an outside pharmacy, a pharmacy transfer fee applies. If you have several pets, the one-time $120 Family Plan (4 visits over 12 months, every pet in the home, never auto-renews) is another option.

If your dog strains with little or no urine, the penis will not go back in, a testicle is swollen and painful, or an unspayed female vomits, will not eat or seems weak after a heat, go to an emergency vet now, not a video visit. Book a video visit

Need an Expert Opinion on This Topic?

Book a video visit with a licensed vet, evenings and weekends included

See open times

Licensed Veterinarian

Secure Video Calls

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my female dog keep licking her private area?

Common causes are a urinary tract infection, vaginitis, a recessed vulva, allergies or yeast, and normal cleaning during a heat. Merck notes spayed females are more prone to adult vaginitis and a recessed vulva. See a vet within 1-2 days for constant licking, redness, a foul smell or more frequent peeing. A pus-like, bloody or foul discharge after her heat has ended needs a vet the same day; vomiting, not eating or weakness needs an emergency vet now.

Is it normal for a male dog to lick his private area?

Some licking is normal, and many adult males have a small amount of mucus-like discharge from the sheath, even after neutering. Constant licking, a heavy, pus-like or bloody discharge, or pain needs a vet visit. An intact male with bleeding plus pain, fever, vomiting or not eating needs to be seen today. A penis that will not go back in, or a painful, swollen testicle, needs an emergency vet now.

Why does my dog lick after peeing?

A quick lick is normal grooming. Licking every time, with frequent small pees, accidents or strong-smelling urine, suggests a urinary tract infection and needs a vet within 1-2 days for a urine test. Straining with little or no urine needs an emergency vet now.

Do dogs lick their private area when they have a UTI?

Often. Cornell lists genital licking as a UTI sign. A vet usually wants a urine test first, often with a urine culture, to confirm an infection and choose the right antibiotic. Do not give leftover or human antibiotics.

Why does my dog's private area smell fishy?

A fishy smell often points to the anal glands, especially with scooting. A foul smell with discharge or red skin points to a skin-fold infection, vaginitis or a UTI, and a musty smell can be yeast. See a vet within 1-2 days, or the same day for swelling or pus beside the anus.

Is licking a sign of heat?

It can be. A dog in heat usually has a swollen vulva and a bloody discharge, often pees more, and may clean herself more. A pus-like, bloody or foul discharge after the heat has ended is not normal heat and needs a vet the same day. A spayed dog who shows heat signs again should also see a vet.

Can an online vet look at my dog's private area by video in Florida, New York or Virginia?

Yes, as a first step, if your dog is located in Florida, New York or Virginia at the time of the visit. On live video, Dr. Delacruz can look at the area with your help. She can help sort skin, allergy and anal-gland causes from a likely UTI or an emergency. Urine tests, cytology, ultrasound, a pyometra check and a stuck penis need an in-person clinic or an emergency vet. No prescription is promised. In Florida, a prescription based only on a video visit is limited to FDA-approved animal drugs used exactly as labeled, for up to 14 days (up to 1 month for products labeled only for flea and tick control), and it cannot be renewed without an in-person exam. Human-labeled drugs, compounded antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral or antiparasitic drugs, and controlled drugs need an in-person exam. Under federal rules, off-label or human-drug use needs an in-person relationship with a vet. Virginia allows the exam to be electronic; federal limits still apply. New York rules on prescribing after a video-only visit are still unsettled.