When a dog develops a rash, many owners quickly panic assuming that there is something seriously wrong with their pup.
But, there is often no need to worry when your dog develops a rash on its groin.
This article will tell you all you need to know about groin rashes on dogs!
If the rash is small and not bothering your dog, then your dog probably requires no treatment.
But, if the rash is sore, worsening, or your dog is displaying symptoms of a severe reaction, it’s best to ring your vet to see what care they can recommend.
Often, rashes on the groin will quickly go away on their own.
What Causes Dogs To Get Rashes On Their Groins?
A rash on a dog’s groin can indicate many issues and there are a few common causal factors. Contact dermatitis is a frequent reason for groin rashes.
This is when your dog comes into contact with something irritating such as chemicals or poison ivy.
In this case, the rash will most likely disappear on its own and this does not indicate any underlying issues with your dog.
To help this type of rash heal, you can gently wash the skin and area around the irritation with water.
This will help to soothe and cleanse the groin.
Allergies are another major root of groin rashes.
While humans usually react to allergens through symptoms like hives or a runny nose, dogs will generally experience gastrointestinal issues and rashes.
These allergies can be linked to food or the environment that your dog is in.
Depending on their severity, these types of rashes can sometimes require treatments like steroids or antihistamines.
You can also do food allergy elimination trials with your vets to understand which foods or allergens your dog is reacting negatively to.
Insects like fleas or tics are also a cause of groin rashes in dogs.
These can irritate the area and cause your dog to scratch itself causing even more pain or bleeding.
To treat this issue, use a spot-on treatment like Advantage.
This will help to kill the insects and prevent any infestations.
Things as simple as a poor diet or overgrooming can also trigger groin rashes.
Poor diet has a major impact on your dog’s overall health but often worsens their skin and coat.
Over grooming is bad for the skin too because it can make certain areas more sensitive and raw.
Groin rashes can be treated in many ways.
This includes using antimicrobial treatments like oral antibiotics, topical creams, shampoos and sprays which are applied to the affected areas, medicated baths, or supplements for their skin.
What Do These Rashes Look Like?
Although there are several different types of rashes a dog can get in their groin, they often have similar symptoms.
This most obviously includes redness or irritation to the affected area.
If your dog is continuously scratching the area, then it may cause the fur to fall off around the inflammation as well as weepy or bleeding skin.
This then obviously leads to scabbing and crusty skin which becomes scaly and dry.
Is It More Likely To Happen To Male Or Female Dogs?
Canine gender and groin rashes seem to have little correlation.
However, a few recent studies have found that dermatological issues on the whole present a greater risk within neutered females.
This is still a largely unstudied area and so there is still a lot of research to be done to determine if any correlation exists.
Are Certain Breeds More At Risk Of Developing Rashes On Their Groin?
All dog breeds are at risk of developing rashes on their groin.
But, some breeds are more susceptible to developing rashes which makes them more likely to get groin rashes than other dogs.
For instance, American and English Bulldogs have common issues with their bellies, groins, and armpits because they have a lot of folds in their skin.
This can lead to yeast or bacterial infections if they are not washed or groomed thoroughly by their owners.
Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels also have genetic skin issues which make them more likely to develop rash problems.
Where Else On Their Bodies Might Dogs Develop Rashes?
Rashes are common in a variety of areas.
This most commonly includes a dog’s head, groin, chest, belly, and hips.
They are also very common in areas with skin folds as mentioned above. Hence, certain breeds develop rashes more often.
Are There Any Effective Home Remedies For Treating Rashes On Dogs?
There are a lot of home remedies you can try to help relieve your dog’s itchy rash.
Firstly, giving your dog a balanced diet can help their skin from the inside out.
If you do this from the onset, then your dog’s risk of developing any skin conditions will be massively reduced.
So, it’s worth investing some time and researching which foods help their skin.
For instance, introducing fish-based foods into their diet can promote well-being because fatty fish are rich in omega-3 acids.
Many rashes are also caused by food allergies.
So, you can try cutting out different foods at home to see if anything is bothering your dog’s skin. This could be as simple as cutting out gluten or switching food brands.
It’s always best to speak to your vet before massively changing a dog’s diet to hear their advice.
Colloidal oatmeal baths are also great at soothing itchy skin and washing away potential allergens which may be trapped in the fur.
You can buy pre-made colloidal oatmeal in powder form or you can grind this up yourself (always use plain and sugar-free oatmeal).
Simply run warm water in your bath and pour in the powder to soak your dog’s itch.
There are many options that are only a google search away!
Which Is The Best Ointment/ Cream For Dog Rashes?
Vet’s Best Dog Hot Spot Itch Relief Foam is a best seller.
Using ingredients like chamomile, tea tree oil, and aloe Vera, this ointment helps to soothe sensitive skin.
It is alcohol-free meaning it’s a no-sting formula and it will not affect topical flea control products.
Simply apply 1-3 pumps of foam to the itchy area, let it dry, and repeat up to three times a day if necessary.
Progroom Skin Calm For Dogs is another great ointment.
It is formulated from organic essential oils with anti-bacterial and anti-microbial effects.
It can also be used as an antiseptic cream.
With high absorbency levels, this butter is lick safe.
It goes a long way and only needs a thin application layer onto the skin.
Johnson’s Vet Skin Eez Cream is a cheaper option.
This soothing sulphur cream includes many natural ingredients and can be used on dogs, cats, and other animals.
At only £3.39 a tub on amazon for 50g, this bargain product has amazing reviews and is multipurpose.
Have a quick research to see which products seem the most suitable!
What Are The Other Main Skin Infections For Dogs?
There are a lot of conditions that could be causing your dog’s rash.
For instance, folliculitis is caused by inflamed hair follicles.
This condition appears as sore bumps and scabs over the body and the best ways to treat this is by using antibiotics prescribed by a vet, shampoos, and antibacterial products.
Impetigo is quite common for dogs.
This nasty infection will cause lesions on the stomach in the form of blisters which can burst and then scab.
Also, ringworm is a fungal infection that is very contagious to animals and humans.
It creates circular patches on the skin which often turn bald and crusty.
It’s best to take your dog to the vest straight away if this is suspected as it can spread very easily.
Similarly, mange is a condition caused by mites living on the skin and hair.
There are two common types, the first being sarcoptic mange which is caused by sarcoptic mites, often appearing on your dog’s ears.
This can create a lot of hair loss.
The other main type is demodex mange caused by demodex mites affecting very young and very old dogs the most.
How And Why Can Grooming Cause Rashes?
Grooming is a major cause of itchiness in dogs, especially following the removal of matted hair which is similar to the itchiness humans experience after shaving.
Grooming sessions like trimming or shaving will most likely cause itchiness to your dog and owners shouldn’t always jump to the worst conclusions if their dog becomes itchy following these activities.
Instead, wait a few days to see if the rash goes away.
If it does then great! If not then it may be time to contact your vet.
Often, hives disappear as quickly as they arise.
So, unless you have concerns that your dog’s rash looks infected or persistent, then a trip to the vets may be unnecessary.
Instead, a simple phone call to the vet for advice may be your best action.
If your dog’s rash does become a persistent issue you should definitely seek advice and treatment to ensure that your pooch suffers as little as possible.
