Most of the time cats are a source of amusement, but sometimes they can be a source of embarrassment. while pet owners may enjoy watching a cat play with a plastic mouse or chase the red beam of a laser light, they may not be amused by some of their other activities. one of the most embarrassing things cats do is lick their “private” parts. there is no sex discrimination associated with the act of licking and there is no polite way to discuss it. a male cat will lick his penis. a cat will lick her vulva. and they will both lick their anal regions. this unattractive behavior annoys pet owners everywhere.
is it ever acceptable to lick private parts?
in the cat world, a moderate degree of licking is part of normal grooming behavior. For example, a male or female cat may lick the genital area after urinating as a way to cleanse the area. when this is the case, licking is only related to deletion and is not persistent. just a quick swipe of the area takes care of business.
it’s not that common for cats to lick their anal area after relieving themselves; however, if the stool is sticky or watery, the cat may feel the need to clean up a bit, especially if litter gets clogged around the anus. normal, firm bowel movements are not usually followed by licking.
When is licking private parts considered a problem?
Frequent or sustained licking of the urogenital (urinary and genital) area may indicate a medical problem. notify your vet if you notice any of the following signs:
- penis, vulva or anus swollen or red
- presence of red pustules (pimples) or bumps on the skin
- skin discoloration (black or rust-colored)
- straining to urinate
- increased frequency of urination
- dragging or rubbing the rectal area against the floor
- presence of bad odor between eliminations
- discharge from penis or vulva
what causes conditions associated with licking?
There are several medical reasons that lead a cat to persistently lick the genital or anal regions. these are some of the most common problems:
urinary tract infection or bladder stones/crystals. cats with a bladder infection or stone/crystal materials may lick their penis or vulva for a prolonged period after urination or may lick themselves between bowel movements. they may urinate more often and may strain to urinate. they often feel an urge to urinate and produce very little urine. Bladder infections are quite common and are caused by bacteria that usually respond to antibiotic treatment. Multiple oral antibiotics are readily available in pill and liquid forms and are quite effective in resolving bladder infections. injectable antibiotics are generally reserved for hospital treatment. a long-term medication called cefovecin (brand name covenia®) may be helpful in treatment. Adding supplements or special diets (such as Hill’s® Prescription Diet® C/D®, Royal Canin® Urinary So™, or Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets Urinary St/Ox™) to the treatment regimen may alter the environment in the bladder and help prevent repeat infections. if the upper urinary tract or kidneys are infected, treatment may take an average of 4 to 6 weeks. Laboratory tests, including urinalysis, urine culture, and blood tests, will help determine the best course and duration of therapy.
allergies. environmental and food allergies can cause itchiness in the genital area. When a food allergy is to blame, the itching occurs year-round, whereas environmental allergies are usually seasonal, depending on which plants or trees are pollinating, unless the inciting allergen is indoors. avoiding the allergen will decrease licking. For example, indoor and outdoor cats with environmental allergies should be out early in the morning and late at night when dew on the ground reduces airborne pollen. for indoor cats, windows should only be opened during these times as well. After going outside, your cat’s paws, belly, and any other areas that come into contact with the ground should be wiped with a damp towel or wet washcloth to remove some of the pollen attached to the fur. this will reduce the amount of pollen, not eliminate it, but will minimize exposure to the offending allergen. Food allergies are triggered when the cat becomes sensitized to proteins (usually chicken, beef, or pork) or other molecules in the food. these allergies can be controlled by feeding the cat a hypoallergenic diet with unique novel natural proteins (such as lamb, salmon, kangaroo, rabbit, etc.) or hydrolyzed or artificial proteins that the cat has not been exposed to. both food and environmental allergies may require medical therapy as well as avoidance therapy. immunomodulatory medications including hyposensitization (allergy desensitization) injections, cyclosporine (brand name atopica®, and available topical treatments that provide safe, effective, long-term allergy relief without the side effects of steroids. steroids (usually prednisolone ) can be effective but are often reserved for severe cases or as a last resort.Antihistamines have variable efficacy with cats and are used less frequently.
skin infection. the presence of bacteria and yeast on the skin is normal; however, if it occurs in excess, if the skin barrier is unhealthy, or if the cat is immunocompromised, infection can occur. Bacterial or yeast infections of the skin can be very itchy and result in constant licking of the affected area. The presence of red pustules or bumps usually indicates a bacterial infection and warrants antibiotic therapy. a musty odor or reddish-black discoloration of the skin may indicate a fungal infection that requires further treatment. both bacterial infections and yeast infections often respond better when topical therapy in the form of medicated shampoos or wipes is added to the oral treatment regimen.
anal gland impaction. cats have two anal glands, remnants of the scent glands, located near the rectum. these glands fill with foul-smelling fluid and empty when the rectal muscles apply pressure during bowel movements. When working normally, pets and their owners don’t even realize there are anal glands; however, when the anal glands become overfilled, they become apparent. the impacted glands emit a noxious odor and the anal area may become swollen and irritated. in response to irritation, the cat may lick the rectal region or slide and rub the anus on the floor. manual evacuation of distended anal glands by manual manipulation usually resolves the problem. if ignored, impaction can occur as the fluid becomes so thick that it does not flow through the narrow opening into the rectum. impaction often leads to infection. severe infections can lead to the formation of an abscess that breaks through the skin into the outer area around the anus. these infections require treatment with antibiotics (common options include amoxicillin, cephalexin, or fluoroquinolones). oral, topical, or injectable forms of antibiotics can be used. pain medications and warm baths may ease discomfort. repeated infections may require surgical removal of the glands.
cats are always going to lick their private parts. If your cat licks more than it should, see your vet for help. proper medical treatment can reduce your cat’s discomfort.
