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My dog's penis is always out. Is it too big or a health issue?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a penis bigger then his leg and hes a German shepard is that a problem

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on January 4th, 2015

Yes it is. He could be suffering from priapism, which is an abnormally long-lasting erection. A dog's penis is not meant to be exposed all the time and will dry out and become cracked and covered with debris, like carpet fuzz if this problem is not addressed by your veterinarian right away. If it continues to happen and he is not neutered, I suggest having him neutered as this will lessen the amount of male hormone in his system that can trigger this behavior and condition.

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Paula Simons
Veterinarian
Published on June 19th, 2016
Sometimes when the penis becomes engorged it can become stuck outside of the sheath. This is uncomfortable and the best thing to do is to try to reduce your dog's excitement and keep him calm. The penis should reduce, but if it ever become stuck outside, he should see a vet right away. Sometimes the sheath can cut off blood flow if it remains constricted.
13Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Susan England-Foster
Veterinarian
Published on September 23rd, 2017
Poor ozzy. I think it depends on if you are comfortable trying to help at home. You can try to put ky jelly or a lubricant on his penis and see if that helps it slide back in. However if it does not I recommend taking him to a veterinarian for help. Sometimes if the penis is out to long it will start to swell or become painful. With such a large dog you might need help or your vet might need mild sedation to resolve the issue. Hope that helps
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
Published on March 17th, 2022
That can just happen if he is licking the area. I would not be concerned unless he seems in distress, or he is unable to retract the penis on his own/it is completely swollen or causing pain. If that is the case, seeking veterinary care in person right away is best.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My dog's penis is swollen and sticking out, causing walking issues?

Dogs can become sexually aroused even if they aren't sexually active, getting an erection. If his penis is swollen and sticking out, I would be concerned that the swelling could potentially constrict his urethra, leading to difficulty urinating. Because he's having trouble walking and his penis is swollen, I recommend you taking him into your vet to have the paraphimosis resolved. It's important to have him seen now, as it's causing him difficulty walking and you don't want it to lead to a constriction of the urethra.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog's penis always extended? Should I take him to the vet?

That could be due to a paraphimosis, which is basically when the foreskin becomes trapped behind the glans penis, and cannot be pulled back in normal position. Chronic paraphimosis should be treated as glans penis can get inflamed/traumatized. If not paraphimosis the sign you described could be completely normal and due to physiological constant excitement. I would recommend recommend a check up to rule out paraphimosis.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My unneutered dog's penis was out and he peed the bed. Is it normal?

Unneutered male dogs will masturbate and have discharge from the penis on occasion. This is normal as long as his penis does not stay exposed from it's sheath for longer than an hour or so. If it stays out too long it is an emergency and he needs to see a vet. If you do not like this behavior you can have him neutered which will probably help.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my male dog's penis so enlarged, red, and long? Is it normal?

If a male dog is aroused by a female dog that is in heat and close by, the penis will become erect. You typically don't see the penis, as it is "hidden" inside the prepuce, or sheath. Depending on the size of the dog it can be quite long, so I would consider this likely to be normal as long as it returns completely inside the sheath once the arousal is over.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's penis is sticking out, red, and he won't stop licking it. What's wrong?

It could be he is suffering from paraphimosis, which is an inability to retract the penis back into the sheath. This can quickly turn into an emergency situation, as constricting of the blood flow will lead to a larger engorgement of the penis, necrosis (dead tissue), and potential damage to the urethra. If his penis hasn't been out too long (less than an hour), you can try to put it back yourself. First, thoroughly clean the penis, making sure there is no foreign material (such as fur) that is wrapped around the penis. Take a bag of frozen veggies wrapped in a towel, and apply it to the penis for five minutes at a time to try to reduce the swelling. Packaged peas work very well because they are mobile around the penis. Then apply a lubricant such as KY Jelly onto the penis, and very gently try to move the penis back into the sheath. Very gently try to push the penis back into the sheath, or try to gently pull the sheath over the penis. If this does not work, or if the penis has been outside the sheath for more than 30 minutes to an hour, you will need to take Lukas into your vet. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's penis is stuck out for hours and he can't pee. Is it serious?

Oh no! Luckily it looks like just the tip of Luke's penis is exposed, but if more of his penis was out for 6 hours he may have had damage to the tissue or swelling. It is also possible that a bladder stone or something else causing a urethral obstruction was causing him to strain and expose his penis. Regardless of the cause, inability to urinate is a medical emergency and you should see an emergency veterinarian right away.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's penis is stuck out and won't retract. What should I do?

Oh no, that's not good! It sounds like he is suffering from paraphimosis, which is an inability to retract the penis back into the sheath. This can quickly turn into an emergency situation, as constricting of the blood flow will lead to a larger engorgement of the penis, necrosis (dead tissue), and potential damage to the urethra. If his penis hasn't been out too long (less than an hour), you can try to put it back yourself. First, thoroughly clean the penis, making sure there is no foreign material (such as fur) that is wrapped around the penis. Take a bag of frozen veggies wrapped in a towel, and apply it to the penis for five minutes at a time to try to reduce the swelling. Packaged peas work very well because they are mobile around the penis. Then apply a lubricant such as KY Jelly onto the penis, and very gently try to move the penis back into the sheath. Very gently try to push the penis back into the sheath, or try to gently pull the sheath over the penis. If this does not work, or if the penis has been outside the sheath for more than 30 minutes to an hour, you will need to take him into your vet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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