Why it's important to clean your dog's penis
Cleaning Your Dog's Penis: Why It Matters for Their Health and Wellbeing
As a pet owner, you want to do everything you can to ensure your dog is healthy and comfortable. While there are a lot of healthcare tasks to keep up with, one that is easy to overlook but should not be neglected is cleaning your dog's penis.
The penis of a male dog is sensitive and prone to irritation, inflammation, and bacteria buildup if not regularly cleaned. This can lead to health issues like urinary tract infections or painful skin conditions, as well as odour and discomfort for your pet. Regular cleaning can help keep these issues from occurring, so it's important to get into the habit of doing it.
Regular cleaning can help prevent these issues from developing in the first place and keep your dog's penis clean and healthy. Cleaning can be done with a warm, wet washcloth or we recommend our new product from Jean Peau
It is important to avoid using harsh soaps or detergents that could further irritate the sensitive skin around the penis.
What to look out for:
- Redness or swelling around the penis
- Discharge coming from the penis (smegma)
- Scratching or licking of the area
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take your pet to the vet for an examination and treatment. Regular cleaning can help prevent these issues from developing in the first place and keep your dog's penis clean and healthy.
Woah - what's smegma?
Dog smegma is a substance that is produced in the crevices of your dog's penis. It is made up of dead skin cells, dried urine and other secretions which can create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Smegma can lead to inflammation and discomfort if not regularly cleaned.
Although it's normal, dog owners should pay attention to the smegma that accumulates on their pet's penis and regularly clean it away. This will help ensure your pup is healthy and free from any infections or discomfort in the area.
What's normal?
It's perfectly normal for a healthy dog to produce smegma so keeping a weekly eye on the area is a good idea. If you notice redness, swelling, or any discharge other than smegma then it's time to take your pet to the vet for an examination and treatment.
Excessive licking will often be a warning sign that something isn't quite right.
Regular grooming of your dog will help you keep on top of this.
Shouldn't I leave it for them to clean on their own?
Dogs often clean their own penis because:
It is an instinctive behaviour that they learn from their mother
It helps to keep the area clean and free of bacteria
It provides comfort and relief from itching, inflammation or infection in the area
It feels good!
However, it's not always possible for male dogs to reach their penis and do a thorough clean, so it's important for owners to do this.
Inflammation of the penis & prepuce
Neglecting to clean your dog's genitals can lead to an infection called balanoposthitis which can be painful for them.
Balanoposthitis is caused by a buildup of bacteria and debris in the prepuce and penis which can lead to inflammation and discomfort.
This will need to be treated with a course of antibiotics from the vet. Again, prevention is always better than cure so stay on top of your dog's cleaning routine.
Wait! I can't see his penis!
Ha - your dog will keep his penis tucked away, which is normal.
Dogs have a retractable penis which is tucked away in the prepuce (similar to male foreskins). You'll get to observe it whenever your pup goes for a pee or poo, however, its primary purpose is during mating.
Unpleasant smells?
You may have noticed a foul smell recently, perhaps excessive licking. Your dog's privates produce a strong odour which may become more noticeable if the area is not regularly cleaned. To get rid of this smell treat the area with a gentle product such as our Jean Peau foreskin cleanser. This will help to remove the smell and keep your pup feeling fresh!
Will neutering your dog help control smegma?
Neutering your dog can help reduce or eliminate smegma buildup in some cases. Smegma is a thick, waxy substance caused by an accumulation of bacteria, yeast, and dead skin cells that can form around the penis and vulva of unneutered dogs. Neutering a dog will reduce or eliminate the production of hormones that can contribute to smegma formation. Additionally, regular grooming sessions will help keep the area clean and free of smegma buildup. There are, of course, other factors to consider before neutering such as behavioural issues, but if smegma is an issue then it may be an option.
Conclusion:
Your dog's penis is an important area and one that needs to be regularly cleaned. Neglecting to do so can lead to unpleasant odours and even painful skin conditions. To keep your pup happy and healthy it is essential to get into the habit of regular cleaning.
Whether it's getting your dog in the bath for a thorough clean or treating the area with a gentle cleanser, make sure you stay on top of it.
We recommend our Jean Peau Foreskin Cleanser for a gentle, effective way of keeping your pet's area clean and free from infection.
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