As a pet parent, you might be concerned when you find your male dog licking its balls. Why do dogs lick their balls? Well, it’s mostly a natural instinct for grooming. More details to follow…
Table of Contents
If you are wondering why do dogs lick their balls so much? Don’t worry; you are not alone. Every dog owner is curious to know this at some point. Whenever your dog is sitting alone, you might have seen him licking his balls with full aplomb, much to the chagrin of others in the room!
This is a common practice of every dog; licking their balls is a symptom of boredom, irritation, or infection. There is nothing that you need to worry about this, as long as it is happening within reasonable limits.
In this guide, you will learn:
- Is it normal for dogs to lick their private parts?
- What can you do if your dog keeps licking his balls?
- Should I stop by dog from licking his balls?
- When do you need to take a dog to a vet?
Why Do Dogs Like To Lick Their Private Parts?
There could be many reasons why your dog is licking their balls. Here we have stated a few factors:
# Your dog might be trying to clean himself
As per vets, it is a common practice amongst dogs to clean their balls. If your dog is continuously licking his balls, he might just be cleaning himself. Almost all dogs do this to keep this sensitive area clean.
Just like male humans, dogs also know that it is the most sensitive area of their body, so that is why they keep cleaning it and keeping it away from infections.
Interestingly, they spend a lot of time and effort cleaning their balls. This is an essential part of grooming, so dogs do this quite regularly. There is nothing to worry about, as your dog is just grooming himself.
# Maybe he is bored
Many dogs lick their balls when they are bored. If he usually does this after doing any other activity or without licking any other body part, then it means your dog is not grooming himself; he is simply bored.
This shows you need to play with your dog and indulge in some activity. Many dogs lick their balls due to boredom; it seems to be a time pass activity for them.
# Your Dog is suffering from Epididymitis or Orchitis
Epididymitis or Orchitis is a common disease that many dogs suffer from in their normal day-to-day life. It is a problem that causes inflammation in the balls.
When your dog suffers from Orchitis, it causes their balls to itch, which is why they lick their balls. This comes with various side effects.
You need to keep an eye on your dog’s balls if they are licking them too much; if there is more swelling in the testicles, it may lead to infertility, your dog may not be able to walk, or your dog may refuse food.
Both Epididymitis and Orchitis are similar diseases. In both scenarios, the dog’s balls are inflamed. All dog breeds might suffer from this problem. If the problem worsens, you need to take your dog to the vet. One of the best ways to avoid such problems is to neuter the dog.
Usually, these problems occur when dogs reach the age of four years or more. But this can happen to the older or younger dogs also.
# Your dog may have an infected anal gland
This happens rarely, but it is one of the important reasons why dogs lick their balls. If you suspect that your dog has an inflamed anal gland, it is time to consult a vet to check if this is a possibility.
An inflamed gland can cause severe pain. If not treated in time, your dog may require surgery or long-term treatment.
What can you do if your dog keeps licking his balls?
In the normal course of things, if your dog is licking his balls, there is nothing to worry about. But if you find that his testicles are red or swollen, it is time to take him to the vet.
An examination from a doctor will save your dog from further damage to testicles.
If licking balls is due to boredom, take him for a walk or to play catch. Another reason, as we mentioned, is grooming. If that is the case, then just leave your dog like this and let him clean himself.
Should I stop my dog from licking his balls?
When your dog is continuously licking his balls for a long time, it is a cause of concern. An immediate visit to a vet is important, as it could be because of swelling, urinary infection, skin discoloration, and other diseases.
It is important to stop your dog from licking his balls if you suspect that they are suffering from health issues. Take him immediately to the vet and have him examined for the conditions that we listed above.
When Do You Need To Take a Dog to a Vet?
As we mentioned above, if your dog is licking his testicles at a normal frequency, there is nothing to worry about, as this could be because they are bored or because they are simply grooming themselves.
So there is no need to consult a vet. Always remember, many dogs do this in a normal state, and they are perfectly fine.
There could be a pain in the balls, and your dog licks balls to get some relief. But if the balls are red and swollen, this could be a sign of any infection or inflammation. Luckily, all treatments for such infected balls are safe. This is a common problem for dogs, and your vet will guide you towards the right treatment.
Infection or inflammation is a sign that you need to consult a vet. Do not leave your dog like this; otherwise, things may worsen. If you don’t consult a vet at the right time, the infection may get severe, so do not delay.
How Do I Know That My Dog Has An Urinary Infection?
A urinary tract infection could also be a reason why your dog licks his balls. Here are some UTI Symptoms that you must take care of:
- Licking around the urinary opening.
- Bloody or cloudy Urine
- Whimpering during urination
- More frequent urination
- Fever
Usually, the vet prescribes antibiotics for 14 days when a dog has a UTI. It is a simple course of antibiotics that help your dog to get relief from UTI. Also, give enough fluids to your dog to flush out all toxins.
Answers to More Common Questions About Dogs Licking Their Balls
Is it normal for dogs to lick their private parts?
When it is about your dog and according to the dog world, licking private parts is normal as a general grooming process.
Male dogs and female dogs also lick their private parts after urination to clean the area. You don’t need to worry if your dog licks their private parts if it is in a normal state or just a grooming process.
Why does my dog lick his weiner all the time?
Dogs love to keep themselves clean. Along with cleaning their legs and body, they also clean their private parts by licking. Licking their genital parts will remove all dirt or debris from the area. But excessive licking is a cause of concern.
Is it dirty to sleep with your dog?
Yes, there are many health concerns to take care of if your dog sleeps with you. Human allergies can worsen if you start sleeping with your dog.
How do I get my dog licking his privates?
To stop your dog from licking his privates, it is important to groom your dog regularly and have proper brushing. This will keep them clean and remove all allergens from their private parts that may cause itching.
A Few Final Words
If you are a pet owner, you may have this common question in your mind: why do dogs lick their balls? By now, we hope that you may have got your answer from the above content. All you need to remember is that in most cases, they are just doing this as a part of grooming or cleaning.
If you have some more queries or questions that we left unanswered, leave us a comment, and we will get back to you. If you would like to appreciate our work, please share it on your social media handles and in your groups so that other dog owners and lovers may also benefit from the knowledge that we have shared here.