Making dogs a part of your family sounds all cute and dreamy. But in reality, it requires great effort and a watchful eye. If your query is “My dog has a rash near his private area”, you have landed at the right place. Before panicking and freaking out, it’s better to look at helpful stuff online.
Here in this article, you will find in-depth information on types of rashes, home remedies, and when to see a vet. Let’s get started:
Groin Rash in Male Dogs
A clear and visible rash on your dog’s groin may alarm you but this is not dangerous or fatal. Such types of rashes in dogs are quite prevalent and mostly occur in reaction to a bacterial or viral infection or some kind of food allergy. The causes of these rashes are multiple and sometimes may aggravate into a serious condition when left untreated. It is important to identify the rash and get the required treatment immediately.
Different Types of Dogs Rashes
Just like humans get different types of skin rashes, dogs exhibit a similar pattern as well. Sometimes the reason is an insect bite while sometimes the rashes appear as a result of some food allergy. Here we have jotted down different types of dog allergies, have a look:
1- Atopic Dermatitis: This occurs as a reaction to allergens present in the environment such as mold spores, pollen, and dust mites as dogs are sensitive to these. Atopic dermatitis not only develops in the groin but occurs around the eyes as well. In order to prevent the occurrence of these rashes, you must try to keep your dog away from the allergens as much as you can.
2- Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Known as FAD, it is a very common skin problem caused by hypersensitivity to flea bites. The situation can be very uncomfortable for the dog and may keep him irritated. The best solution to the FAD problem is prevention. Also, you must make sure that your dog’s flea treatments are in check.
3- Puppy Pyoderma: This condition is common to young dogs hence known as puppy pyoderma. As a result of a bacterial infection, puppies develop a rash in the armpits and on the groin area. These are mild types of rashes and usually, go with the time. However, you must keep an eye on the puppy. If the rash intensifies and your puppy seems uncomfortable, then you may need to take him to the vet. You can treat the condition at home well with the help of antiseptic washes, ointments, and oral medicines but only as per your vet’s directions.
4- Hot Spots: If your dog continuously chews or licks some specific parts of the skin, you may notice rashes on these parts known as “hot spots”. The most common causes of these hot spots are wounds, flea bites, and infections. Whereas, there are some uncommon reasons as well, such as hard floors, boredom, and poor hygiene and grooming.
What is the cause of groin rashes in dogs?
Out of all the dog problems, one of the most commonly occurring problems complained by the dog owners is “My dog has a rash near his private area”. If you are looking for the answer to the same problem, you might want to know the reasons behind the rash.
Here we have compiled a list of the most common causes of groin rashes in dogs:
- Bacterial Infection
- Yeast infection
- Ringworm
- Allergic Reactions
- Insect bites (e.g. fleas,mites,bees & ticks )
- Licking the skin
- Biting or Chewing the groin skin
- Pollen Allergy
- Shampoo
Symptoms of Groin Rashes in Male Dogs
If you are not sure whether it is a rash or something else, you must look out for one or more of these symptoms of a groin rash in male dogs:
- Lesions on the groin that look like pimples
- Dry skin around the groin
- Crusty or scaly skin around the groin that is falling off
- Uncontrolled scratching
- Inflamed and red skin
- Scabbed skin around the groin
- Pus oozing out from the skin
- Rashes in a round pattern in case of a fungal reaction
- Yeast like odor in case of a yeast infection
How to Prevent Groin Rashes in Dogs
Developing a groin rash is a common thing among dogs. But that does not mean you may unsee or ignore the rash as it may lead to serious infections as well. As the old saying goes “Prevention is better than cure”, you must take action so you can prevent the rash from occurring.
Here is how you can prevent groin rashes in dogs:
1- Hygiene: Take good care of your fur baby’s hygiene. Bathe him regularly with a good quality shampoo and always use a conditioner afterward.
2- Supplements: Give supplements to your dog for optimum health. The highly recommended supplements to avoid allergic reactions are fish oil capsules. A 1000 mg capsule with a meal once a day is the recommended dose.
3- Anti-Allergy Medicines: Try giving anti-allergy medicines to your dog such as Benadryl if your dog is sensitive to allergens. Benadryl must be given 1mg/kg of the dog’s weight. If your dog is younger by age, you must consult your vet as your puppy may be sensitive to it.
4- Diet: Take care of your dog’s diet. Give him natural foods most of the time and trust only top-rated dog food brands when choosing artificial foods and dog snacks. Observe your dog carefully and look for an allergic reaction occurring in response to food. If he is showing any symptoms after the food intake, avoid giving that specific food in the future.
Home Remedies to Treat Private Area Rashes in Dogs
If you are the type of person who likes to try home-based remedies before switching to conventional medicines, you might want to look at these tried and tested home remedies to treat groin rashes in dogs:
1- Shea Butter: Massage the rash with shea butter. This will ease the discomfort and itching associated with the groin rash, Make sure the dog doesn’t lick the butter off as it may lead to an upset stomach.
2- Coconut Oil: As much as coconut oil is beneficial for human skin problems, it is equally helpful in treating groin rashes in dogs. Take a small amount on your fingers and gently massage the infected area until it absorbs into the skin. Distract your dog so that it does not lick the oil off.
3- Oatmeal: This one will surprise you but it is definitely worth trying. Next time your dog develops a groin reaction, apply oatmeal. It is not the cure of the rash but it helps a great deal with the symptoms.
4- Topical Treatment: If the rash in the groin does not have open cuts or lesions, then you can apply a general topical rash cream on the affected area. One of the best creams for dog rashes is hydrocortisone cream. Also, there are many non-scented soothing lotions available for dogs. Make sure you do not apply anything to the rash that stings.
5- Switch Protein: If your dog has a food-related allergy, then you may want to make some changes in the diet to avoid the reaction. Replace beef with chicken or give a hydrolyzed protein diet to your dog to avoid food allergies.
6- CBD Soothing Balm: Try applying CBD soothing balm to the rash area. The cannabidiol present in the balm will bind with the receptors in the skin which will soothe the itching and also help the rash go away. Topical CBD creams for dogs are totally safe to use on rashes. However, you must consult your vet once as the CBD balm may not be safe to use in all conditions.
Final Verdict:
Groin rashes are very common in both male and female dogs. These rashes are not life-threatening conditions but may cause discomfort for your dog. Try these simple home remedies to treat the rash at home. But if the condition persists or your dog shows some unusual symptoms like prolonged sadness or loss of appetite, you must visit the vet.