Cat Penis: Most Common Anatomy and Diseases

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 24 January 2021
Update Date: 6 November 2024
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Avian Anatomy and Physiology, Common Diseases
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A cat's penis is a very peculiar organ that can also have problems and illnesses. In order for you to know what are the most common diseases in a cat's penis, it is important that you know the anatomy, physiology and normal characteristics of this organ so that you can identify when something is not normal. In this article by Animal Expert, we will explain how the a cat's penis: most common anatomy and diseases.

What a cat's penis looks like: anatomy

Let's just focus on what a cat's penis looks like, however it's important to remember that the cat's male reproductive system is made up of:

  • 2 testicle;
  • 1 epididymis;
  • 2 vas deferens;
  • 3 accessory glands (prostate and 2 bulbourethral glands);
  • 1 penis;
  • 1 foreskin (skin that covers and protects the penis);
  • 1 scrotum.

The penis, whose function is to transport and eliminate urine and semen through the urethra (end of the penis), is composed of source (fixing the organ to the sciatic arch), body (most of the penis) and glans (distal portion, ie the tip of the penis), where the entrance to the urethra is located.


It has a perineal location and, like puppies, is of the cavernous muscle, filling with blood and swelling at the time of erection.

A cat's penis (like a dog's) has a bone, called penile bone and, during ejaculation, semen is transported from the testicles (where it is produced) through the epididymis which is connected to the vas deferens and exits through the urethra. For normal and viable production of semen, the testicles must descend from their initial fetal abdominal position into the scrotum (or scrotum), remaining outside the body at a lower temperature than body temperature.

It's very rare for you to see a cat's penis unless you catch it licking itself or it has an anomaly. The penis of the unneutered cat has a unique feature that distinguishes it from most other species: it has small keratinized projections, called the spikes, what cause pain to the female during copulation and whose function is to induce ovulation. That's why cats make so much noise when they cross. After castrated, the cats lose these spikes and the penis looks smooth. In the image below you can distinguish the penis anatomy of the different species:


Cat heat and sexual maturity

Cats can have heat cycles at any time of year, but usually synchronize with the heat of the cats, which often do not occur during the shortest days of winter. When they reach sexual maturity (around 8-10 months of age), cats exhibit a set of estrus behaviors that can be a problem for owners, especially for indoor animals.

the heat (or estrus) is considered the period of the sexual cycle in which the female cat is receptive to accepting the male's copulation and is fertile. The heat of cats is seasonal and the peak of heat comes in the middle of spring (time when there are more hours of light), but other factors such as lighting, ambient temperature and the length of day and night can influence the cat's hormonal system. That is, a cat can have several heats and, if it is from the interior, they can also come into heat in winter. The heat lasts between 7 and 10 days per cycle, and the interval between heats can be from two to three weeks.


With the emergence of heat in cats and females they begin to:

  • Make escape attempts or end up managing to escape;
  • Vocal too loudly;
  • Urinate at various places in the house to mark territory;
  • Try to copulate with objects present in the house, such as teddy bears or blankets;
  • Lick the penis region;
  • Scrubs and rolls everywhere.

Cats can have one to two litters per year and each litter can go up to ten kittens per gestation. An interesting curiosity is the fact that cats that live in different hemispheres have opposite heat cycles, that is, cats in Brazil have heat in late September and October and, for example, in Portugal they have heat in February and March .

See below a picture of a cat's penis:

Cat Penis: Most Common Illnesses

Certain diseases that affect the reproductive tract of cats can be diagnosed through physical examination, laboratory tests, ultrasound and palpation. These diseases are also seen in dogs.

If you noticed something different on your cat's penis, should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible, since any change in the region can cause a lot of discomfort and pain.

Cryptorchidism in cats

It is the failure of one or two testicles to descend into the scrotum. It is the most common disease in cats with regard to reproductive problems. Cryptorchidism has some genetic basis and is an inherited condition.

If only one testicle is cryptorchid, the animal may still be fertile, but it is advised to castration, as the testicles inside the body can develop other, more serious problems due to their location.

Cat Penis: Inflammation of the Testicles or Epididymis

Usually this inflammation is due to trauma, infections, testicular torsion, excessive heat or cold, toxic products or hormonal causes. It's a rare condition, but the traumas are common.

The main symptoms are:

  • Ache;
  • Inflammation/swelling of the structures and lesions in the surrounding skin;
  • The animal may excessively lick the region.

As there may be a lot of associated with sedation, it is advised to allow an easier manipulation to carry out additional diagnostic tests.

If there are associated infections, it may be necessary to prescribe an antibiotic. If the situation goes on for a long time, it is unlikely that the animals will regain fertility and, therefore, they will also recommends castration.

paraphimosis in cat

Paraphimosis is the inability to retract the penis back into the foreskin after its exteriorization. It can have a traumatic origin, is due to muscle problems of the foreskin, small foreskin, congenital defects of the orifice or hair and debris accumulated in the foreskin, which are the most common cause.

In this condition, the unretracted penis, being exposed to the outside, can dry out, get lacerations and fissures, swell due to fluid accumulation (edema) and, in severe cases, it can even necrose by strangulation of blood vessels. The paraphimosis is a medical emergency and the treatment consists of trimming the hair, cleaning the debris area and lubricating the penis, however, in severe cases it may have to be done. amputation of the penis.

phimosis in cat

Phimosis is the inability to externalize the penis, often due to a stenosis (narrowing) of the foreskin orifice. Accumulation of debris, hair or swelling of the foreskin or penis, inflammation or bacterial infection, and neurological damage are other possible causes that can lead to this problem.

The following symptoms can be observed:

  • Inability or difficulty to urinate;
  • Excessive licking;
  • Swelling of the region.

Surgical treatment for opening the orifice is most recommended, along with cleaning and disinfecting the area and treating the underlying cause, if applicable.

cat priapism

Priapism is the persistent erection without any kind of sexual stimulation, which lasts a period equal to or greater than four hours. The penis can also become dry, show lesions and even necrose. This condition is also equally important to treat urgently.

All of these conditions (paraphimosis, phimosis and priapism) can arise in cats of any age and many can demonstrate problems with urination or constant licking of the area. If it is prolonged for a long time, the penis can swell and present edema (accumulation of fluids in the tissues) and even necrosis, so don't let this situation drag on and look for a veterinarian.

Obstruction by stones (uroliths)

All cats are predisposed to feline idiopathic cystitis, urinary tract infection, or stone obstruction (uroliths). Neutered cats are at great risk of developing urinary obstruction, a situation considered a medical emergency as the bladder can rupture due to increased pressure, and certain toxins are accumulating in the pet's body.

A cat's urethra is so narrow that even the smallest calculus (or commonly known as a stone) can trigger a blockage. The symptoms of a blocked cat are:

  • Difficulty in urinating, in which the cat is in the position to urinate, but without success (dysuria);
  • Decrease in urine production or release of small drops of urine (oliguria);
  • Absence of urine production (anuria);
  • Blood in urine (haematuria).

This condition is not directly related to a cat's penis, but it is very common and should be a cause for warning from guardians.

Cat Penis: Prostate Problems

One of the functions of the prostate is to nourish sperm and increase mobility. After sexual maturity, the position and size of the prostate will change, changing from a pelvic to an abdominal position, which may be visible during the ultrasound examination (in cats the normal shape is bulbar with about 10-12 mm in length). Prostate Diseases in Cats are not common, but there may be cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), abscesses, cysts or tumors.

Read too: Why cats make so much noise when they cross

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Cat Penis: Most Common Anatomy and Diseases, we recommend that you enter our section on Diseases of the reproductive system.