Why Puppy Rubs Penis On Floor: Reader Question and Vet Response

My 5-month-old puppy has been rubbing his penis on the grass and carpet a lot. Just yesterday I noticed there's redness around his stomach (close to the tip of his penis).

He rubs it so much it's starting to dry his skin in that area. He has been acting the same, nothing different. He eats, as usual, pees and poops with no problems.

He just seems to keep rubbing his penis on the grass and carpets....... I put aloe vera on the dry area, but it only lasts so long cause he goes and rubs it off after. HELP?!?!

Suggestion From Our Veterinarian

Hi,

Based on your description, I can’t tell whether the irritation to your puppy’s skin is a cause or an effect of his rubbing. If it’s the cause, your veterinarian will need to identify the reason behind his itchy skin (infection, allergy, parasites, chronic exposure to irritants, etc.) and prescribe appropriate treatment. Once he’s comfortable, the rubbing should stop.

If, on the other hand, his rubbing has a behavioral cause and his skin irritation is simply a result of that, you’ll need to figure out a way to stop him from rubbing. Your veterinarian can help with that as well, but a topic to address might be boredom and pent-up energy. Puppies need a lot of physical exercises and mental stimulation. If they don’t get enough from you, they’ll often devise less-desirable ways of keeping themselves entertained.

Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM