My goldendoodle is licking his rear raw. Should I be concerned?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to know without an exam. However, this is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Charlie. This is typically a sign there is a problem around that area. Dogs when they have an area that bothers them they lick it a lot. Licking around this area could be due to impacted and/or infected anal sacs, fleas, or intestinal worms. Without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain. The way to know for certain is to have him seen by a vet. The vet can diagnose what is causing this licking and can treat it, such as expressing his glands, prescribing flea medication, or giving him a deworming treatment. I hope this helps!

Thank you for contacting PetCoach with your question about Romeo. Poor boy. This rash could be caused by fleas, mites, or allergies. The cause of the rash needs to be diagnosed so he can be treated correctly. I do not recommend using a rash cream or anti-itch cream. Not only may it be the wrong treatment for the rash, but he will just lick it off and these creams contain ingredients not safe for a dog to ingest. I'd have him seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. Tonight, put an Ecollar on him to keep him from licking. You can buy one at a pet store or make one at home. I hope this helps! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I suspect that this may be from him licking at this region in which case it may not resolve on its own. This may be due to allergies and/or possibly an infection. A mild infection could resolve on its own. However, if no resolution is noted, I recommend you consider having him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

Poor pup! It sounds like he may have some irritation in this area. This can sometimes happen due to skin irritation from the clippers (if his rear end was shaved), a local allergic reaction to the shampoo or other grooming products, or possibly even an anal gland problem since this often causes dogs to act this way. I would recommend getting a topical hydrocortisone spray or ointment labeled for dogs (you can get this at Walmart or most pet stores) and apply to the area to help soothe it. You can also get him a plastic e-collar if needed to keep him from continuing to lick the area and make it more irritated. If he's still acting uncomfortable after 24 hours, I would recommend having him seen by a vet to determine the problem and get him prescription medication to relieve the discomfort.

I'm sorry to hear Chico is having issues with over licking. Excessive licking can be a coping mechanism secondary to an underlying anxiety or stressor. On himself, it can be secondary to a skin issue, such as allergies, skin parasites (fleas or mites), an infection or an underlying medical issue. I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his licking (medical vs behavioral), have any necessary testing done (skin scrape, bloodwork) and get started on a treatment plan that may help resolve his issue. Good luck!

Poor Tank! There are a number of problems that could cause this behavior. He may have a skin problem causing him to be itchy, such as [fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-check-your-pet-for-fleas-and-ticks), [allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies/), a bacterial or fungal skin infection, or skin mites ([mange](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-is-mange-in-pets)). He could also have a problem with his [anal glands](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs), which are located on either side of the rectum and sometimes become overly full or infected. I would recommend having him examined by a veterinarian as soon as you are able. He or she can check the anal glands and also do some simple skin tests, if needed, to determine the problem and get him started on the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent licking.