Should you wash your dog’s privates? Get Your Pet Thinking

IntroductionYour dog’s vulva is a tender part of her body. When she goes into heat, you might see discharge or blood coming from the area. She might lick a lot to clean herself, but it’s also important that you help her stay clean and sanitary during this time. You may notice her vulva swelling, especially during heat cycles. This is normal and doesn’t require any extra attention. A simple wipe or bath will often do the trick, but while she has discharge, you may also consider keeping her bedding clean and keeping her at home and isolated, especially from intact male dogs.

Her body is changing during heat cycles, and your dog might be curious. Excessive licking could cause dryness and itching. She might feel a bit off because of hormone changes. This may show in her mood.

Towel Step 1 In the bath While your dog is in the bath, use a washcloth to wipe her private areas, including her vulva to get it clean. Step 2 Face first Always start with your dogs face, so bacteria from others parts of her body do not cross to the face. Step 3 Sit in water If your dog has discharge or is in heat, sitting in the water while you wash her body and face might help remove any stains from her skin and fur. Keep the temperature comfortable. If her skin is irritated, water that is too warm may hurt. Step 4 End with vulva After your dog’s face and body have been washed, use the washcloth to wipe her vulva. Remove any dried blood or discharge. If she’s swollen, she might be sensitive, so be cautious not to rub too hard with the washcloth. Step 5 Rinse and dry Be sure to rinse any dog shampoo off her entire body to avoid dry, itchy skin. With a towel, pat her dry.

Towel Step 1 Vinegar and water Mix half and half vinegar and warm water in a small bowl. Step 2 Soft cloth Once the water and vinegar are mixed, soak a washcloth or soft cloth in the mixture, absorbing what you can into the cloth. You can squeeze excess out so the cloth is not dripping, or allow the excess to drip onto the dog’s skin. Step 3 Wipe Gently wipe the vulva from front to back. The vinegar will work on killing yeast and some bacteria. Step 4 Dry With a dry cloth, gently pat dry. Allowing the area to air dry is fine as well, but keep your dog from licking as it dries. She likely won’t enjoy the taste of vinegar. Step 5 Treat If her skin is dry and uncomfortable, or if she is not in heat but is licking too often, apply coconut oil to her skin to soothe the itch.

  • If your dog is not in heat and her vulva is showing discharge, consider seeing your veterinarian.
  • A swollen vulva is normal during a heat cycle.
  • She may be self-cleaning by licking, but excessive licking can cause dry, itchy skin which will irritate even more.
  • Dogs can develop yeast infections that can cause itching and discomfort.
  • If your little girl pup has a yeast infection or other infection in the vulva area, you may also notice an unpleasant odor.
  • Apple cider vinegar and water can help reduce yeast if your girl pup is experiencing a yeast problem.
  • If she gets yeast infections often, adding yogurt or kefir to her diet might help yeast from growing.
  • A daily vinegar and water wipe down might be necessary for the dog who has chronic yeast infections.
  • If her skin is dry and irritated from excessive licking, 100% coconut oil from your kitchen can help soothe her skin. It is okay if she licks the coconut oil off, you just may need to reapply.
  • Bathing your pup on a regular basis should also help with keeping all areas clean. Be sure to wash her face with a cloth before using it to wash her vulva and backside.
  • A Guide On How To Clean Dog Private Parts

    There are certain tips that a better for a female dog, and some that are better for male dogs, so I’ve decided to split those up into sub-sections.

    Getting to Know Your Dog’s Vagina

    Do dogs have vaginas? Yes, indeed! Your dog’s vagina is made up of different parts. The outer part of a female dogs reproductive tract is called the vulva. A dog vulva consists of two labia which are thick folds of tissue, connected both at the top and the bottom. Then, there is vestibule that lies inside of the vulvar opening. Your dog’s vagina opens into the vestibule just like the urethra, which is the tube that drains your furbabys pee.

    Where is a dog’s vagina? Female dog genitals are located between a female dog’s legs further back towards the tail. You may not notice it as much when it is not swollen. However, when the dog vagina is swollen due to heat or other causes, you can easily identify it.

    To be able to tell if something is not right with your dogs vagina, first you need to identify how it usually looks like when it’s healthy. So, what does a health dog vulva look like?

    As mentioned, the dog vulva is what you call the outer part of your dogs reproductive system and on the outer layer, too, are two labia. In a healthy vagina, these parts become swollen when your dog is in heat and releases a bloody vaginal discharge. Dog vaginal discharge is completely normal with a healthy dog vulva.

    A healthy dog vulva’s appearance may also change over time if your dog is not spayed. On months where your dog is not in heat, the outer part of your dog’s vagina may appear pinkish in color, with no abnormal discharge and foul odor.

    Should you wash your dog’s privates?

    How to clean your dog’s penis – Husbandry training part 6

    Every part of the body can be injured or affected by disease, and this includes a dog’s vagina.

    Symptoms involving the vagina are uncomfortable and may be signs of a potentially serious health condition.

    This guide will help you determine what’s normal, when you should be worried about your dog’s vaginal health, and whether you need to call your veterinarian.

    The outer portion of a female dog’s reproductive tract is called the vulva. It consists of two labia (thick folds of tissue) that are connected at the top and bottom.

    The vestibule lies just inside of the vulvar opening. The vagina opens into the vestibule, as does the urethra—the tube that drains the bladder. Farther on, the vagina connects with the cervix and then on to the uterus.

    In order to recognize when something is wrong with your dog’s vagina, you need to know what normal looks like. It’s normal to be able to see your dog’s vulva.

    If a female dog has not been spayed, the appearance of her vulva can change dramatically over the course of her heat cycle.

    When a dog is in heat (receptive to mating), her vulva becomes swollen, and a bloody discharge will be evident. This heat period usually lasts for a week or two but can vary widely between dogs.

    After being in heat, the bleeding should stop, and the vulva returns to its normal appearance. Dogs may go through this entire cycle once every four months to once every 12 months.