Why Is My Dog Licking My Private Area

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It all comes down to sweat glands, apocrine glands to be precise. … Dogs have apocrine glands all over their bodies, but the highest concentration is found in the genitals and anus, hence why they sniff each other’s butts.

It turns out that dogs can actually pick up on the pheromone chemical that your sweaty private parts produce, and pheromones hold a lot of information about ourselves: our diets, moods, health, even whether a female is pregnant or menstruating.

When is licking private parts considered a problem?

Frequent or sustained licking of the urogenital (urinary and genital) area may indicate that a medical problem exists. Alert your veterinarian if you see any of the following signs:

  • swollen or red penis, vulva, or anus
  • presence of pustules (pimples) or red bumps on the skin
  • discoloration of the skin (black or rust colored)
  • straining to urinate
  • increased frequency of urination
  • scooting or rubbing the rectal area on the ground
  • presence of a foul odor between eliminations
  • discharge from penis or vulva

    • Is licking private parts ever acceptable?

    In the dog world, a moderate degree of licking is part of normal grooming behavior. For example, a male or female dog may lick the genital area after urinating as a means of cleaning the area. When this is the case, licking is only related to elimination and is not persistent. Just a quick swipe of the area takes care of business.

    It is not as common for dogs to lick the anal area after eliminating; however, if the stool is sticky or watery, the dog may feel the need to tidy up a bit. Normal, firm bowel movements are not usually followed by licking.

    Why do dogs smell people’s private parts?

    Your embarrassment aside, most experts agree that a dog sniffing at your privates or your butt is completely natural and instinctive. Dogs often smell the rear end of other dogs as a sort of ‘handshake’ with one another.