Why is my male cat licking his testicles? They look cut and bloody.

I would be concerned this may be a sign of inflammation and part of the FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease complex). It is important to act quickly here as some cats can suffer extremely painful and severe blockages if untreated. Pain relief, antiinflammatories and sometimes catheters re required to relieve if very severe and he may need antibiotics if there is any evidence of infection. Dietary management long term can help to prevent recurrence depending on his test results

I'm sorry to hear of your concerns with Milo. It does look like he has a scab on his scrotum. It is possible that he had an injury to the area, a reaction to sutures if they were used during his neuter procedure or an infection that is beginning to heal. If he continues to rub at the area, the scab is not going away or if you notice any redness or drainage, I would recommend that you have him seen by your veterinarian.

I would recommend that you have Onyx examined by a vet. If he is uncomfortable laying down, it sounds pretty serious. It can be caused by infection in the skin or the testicles, which may have been brought on by trauma, excessive licking leading to infection, a systemic (or body-wide infection), etc. The vet will do an exam to determine the most likely cause and can prescribe medications for infection, inflammation, or itching as necessary. Until Onyx sees the vet, you should have him wear an e-collar to prevent further licking, since that will prevent spreading infection and delayed healing.

I suggest you have him to your vet for an exam and urine test. It is not normal for male cats to lick their privates incessantly. Male cats often form crystals in their urine and they can be irritating to the urethra as they pass through which may be causing the licking. As long as he is passing some urine it is not an emergency but you should try to get him examined in the next day or so.

Place an [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar) (cone) on him right away to prevent further licking or scratching. If the wound is superficial, I suggest gently cleansing the area with a diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. Applying a warm washcloth 2-3 times a day for five minutes at a time may provide some relief from itching and discomfort. Afterwards, dry the area throughly. If there is no sign of improvement in a few days or if your dog develops a fever, loses his appetite, start [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/article/vomiting-in-dogs) and/or having [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/article/diarrhea-in-dogs) then have him physically examined by your veterinarian right away. Additional symptoms that should also be addressed by your veterinarian include redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding.

Yes, I agree that the scrotum appears to be red/irritated. I would not be overly worried at this stage. I don't think it is anything serious but he definitely needs to be seen by your vet. It looks like it may be a superficial skin infection.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. An in tact dog may lick his scrotum for many reasons. The most common is actually “contact dermatitis”. That is, a rash from the friction of humping too much. Allergies, pain, and other causes are possible. I’d simply put him in an e-collar (pet store or online) so that he cannot lick them obsessively and cause further irritation. If it’s not better in 48 hours (or worsening at any time), it’s time to see the vet. I absolutely do NOT recommend any over the counter pain medications, though applying some frozen peas (wrapped in a thin kitchen towel or paper towel) might feel great and be very helpful to Fido. I’d do 5 minutes 2-4 times daily. Best wishes to you and Fido!