Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog's penis was stuck out. Is it back to normal, or should I worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 1 year and 10 months old | 3 lbs

My dog’s “red rocket” wouldn’t go back in. i applied a cold compress and sort of massaged it and now it looks like this. Does this look like it’s back to normal or should i be concerned?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 4th, 2018

Thank you for providing a picture of Harley's penis area. Yes, this does look normal, it should be contained within the penile sheath normally. You did the right thing by apply a cold compress to help it return to the sheath, and I would not be concerned unless his penis becomes stuck outside the sheath again. If that happens again, try the same method but if it remains stuck outside the sheath for longer than 30 minutes, he will need to see a vet immediately. It becomes an emergency at the point because leaving it that way can lead to constricting of the blood flow causing a larger engorgement of the penis, necrosis (dead tissue), and potential damage to the urethra. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My male dog just had lower abdominal surgery today to remove a mast tumor. I noticed his penis will not retract. Is this an emergency or can I wait until morning to contact my vet?
Thank you for posting again! That makes more sense. 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 o
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog’s penis tip will not retract, it has been stuck out for the past few minutes and will not go back. I tried a cold compress but nothing is working.
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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs penis is sticking out slightly most of the time and he is licking it constantly. This is a new issue. It looks kind of red also, its usually lite pink in color. Its usually sticking out more than the photo shows. About 1/2 to 1 inch.
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 ha
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 8 year old male Chihuahua was sleeping when I noticed him lightly shaking his leg, thinking he was just a little cold I went to check when I seen his penis with purple red discoloring. Is this normal?
No, this isn't normal and Chico may be suffering from paraphimosis. This 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 wor
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why is my dog's penis constantly showy
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 ha
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I’m bringing my dog to the vet wendsday, there not there till wensday so. however, for a couple weeks now his penis has been getting stuck when I brought him before they had told me it dosnt hurt him it just drys up and the skin can’t move back. How
It’s not life threatening and you are doing the right thing to keep it inside the sheath and moist. Monitor his behavior to see if it happens when he’s excited or barking or whatever to see if changing something in his environment will reduce the frequency of this occurring. Your veterinarian may have other suggestions after he does an exam and makes sure everything is normal. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Luke.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my dogs penis comes out and it look like a cherry it's not a long one like other dogs when it comes out I have to pull the skin back why does this
Most likely it was mild paraphimosis, which is condition when the penis does not come back to his normal position. It is very important to pull the skin back as soon as possible as trapped penis may have impared blood supply which may result in bad injury to the penis. It usually happens to young, not castrated dog and is a result of sexual excitement. If it happens to him in the future the best thing to do is to pull the skin back, or if it is not possible to apply a cold compress for a few minutes till the penis does go back.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy is 6 months old. His pennis is sticking out and does not go back
Some dogs can suffer from this problem, where they get an erection and the penis is out and becomes enlarged and then cannot go back into the sheath of the prepuce (the skin that covers the penis). This is called paraphimosis. You can try coating your dog's penis in ky jelly or other similar lubricant and gently pulling the sheath of the prepuce back over the penis. If it is painful and you are unable to get the penis back into the prepuce with this method then a trip to the emergency vet is needed. Coat the penis in lubricant to keep it moist/help prevent trauma. They vet may need to sedate your dog to allow him to relax and then use a dextrose solution to shrink the penis back to a smaller size and replace it. Sometimes a temporary suture will be placed at the end of the prepuce for a few days to prevent the penis from sliding back out before swelling has gone down.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
i went downstairs & my dogs penis was out. i thought he was just humping something. but he looked at me like he was going to bite me. when he came upstairs it was still fully out & he was running around & squealing in pain. it went back in but he’s t
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! While not normal, it does happen at times. If it goes back in and stays that way great. However, if it keeps happening or he continues to act like it is painful, he needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Sometimes they need help getting it back in place and pain control medications as it can be quite painful. Hopefully this will resolve on its own. Have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog "lipstick" came out for the first time and he was crying and seemed uncomfortable After it finally went down there was blood on his penis hair?
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Toys Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Dog Collars, Leashes & Harnesses Dog First Aid & Recovery Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Incontinence & Bladder Control Medicine Dog Pill Capsules Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Glandex Dog First Aid & Recovery DOG by Dr Lisa Dog First Aid & Recovery Pride+Groom Dog First Aid & Recovery PetAlive Dog First Aid & Recovery HICC Pet Dog First Aid & Recovery PetArmor Dog First Aid & Recovery Well & Good Dog First Aid & Recovery Pup Ice HEMPZ Dog First Aid & Recovery Nutri-Vet Dog First Aid & Recovery
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored