Male cats, often called “toms,” do have a penis. Understanding feline male anatomy is important for responsible pet ownership, as specific anatomical features relate directly to their overall health and behavior. This knowledge helps owners monitor their well-being and recognize when professional veterinary attention is required.
Feline Male Anatomy
The male cat’s penis is a small, partially retractable organ encased in a protective sheath called the prepuce, which is located caudally between the hind legs and below the anus. When not erect, the penis is largely contained within the prepuce, making it inconspicuous.
A distinctive feature of the intact male is the presence of small, backward-facing, keratinized projections known as penile spines on the glans. These spines are dependent on testosterone and serve a reproductive function, as their stimulation triggers ovulation in the female cat, which is an induced ovulator. The penis surrounds the terminal end of the urethra, the tube that directs urine out of the body.
Identification and Sexual Differentiation
Determining the sex of a kitten requires observing the two openings located directly beneath the tail: the anus and the genital opening. The primary way to differentiate between sexes is by comparing the distance, known as the anogenital distance, between these two openings. In male kittens, this space is noticeably greater, allowing room for the future descent of the testicles.
The male genital opening is small and circular. In contrast, the female’s genital opening, the vulva, is a vertical slit much closer to the anus. In kittens around four to six weeks old, the testicles may begin to be palpable as small, pea-sized lumps in the space between the anus and the penis. This difference in spacing, approximately a half-inch in a male kitten, is the most reliable visual indicator.
Health Risks: Urinary Blockage
A urinary blockage is the most serious health concern related to male feline anatomy and is a life-threatening emergency. Male cats are uniquely vulnerable to this condition, often referred to as a urethral obstruction, because their urethra is significantly narrower and longer than a female’s. This slender tube, which carries urine from the bladder, can become completely obstructed by debris.
Obstructions typically consist of material such as mineral crystals, inflammatory cells, and mucus plugs, often forming as a result of conditions like Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) or Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). When the urethra is fully blocked, the cat is unable to pass urine, causing toxins to rapidly build up in the bloodstream. This accumulation can lead to kidney damage and fatal electrolyte imbalances, such as hyperkalemia, within 24 to 48 hours.
Owners must recognize the specific signs of a blockage, which include frequent, unsuccessful trips to the litter box and straining to urinate. Other urgent symptoms are crying out while attempting to urinate, excessive licking of the genital area, lethargy, vomiting, and a painful, firm abdomen. If any of these signs are present, immediate emergency veterinary care is required, as this condition will not resolve on its own.
How Neutering Alters Anatomy and Behavior
Neutering, or castration, is the surgical procedure that removes the testes, which are the primary source of the male sex hormone, testosterone. The loss of this hormone triggers significant anatomical and behavioral changes, which is the main reason the procedure is recommended for most companion cats. Anatomically, the testosterone-dependent penile spines found on the glans will atrophy and eventually disappear following castration.
This procedure does not change the physical structure of the urethra, but it eliminates the source of the hormones that drive certain social behaviors. Neutering drastically reduces or eliminates sexually driven actions such as urine spraying for territorial marking and roaming in search of mates. The procedure also generally lowers aggression toward other male cats, which can decrease the risk of fighting and subsequent injury or disease.