In dogs, as in people, gum health can be an important issue on its own and have major implications for one’s overall wellbeing. Unfortunately, in another human/canine parallel, dogs’ gum health can too often be neglected and misunderstood. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to monitor and take care of your dog’s gums before issues arise, and to address them if they do. Show Be a gum-hue gumshoe: What to look for in the color of your dogs’ gums
Healthy dogs’ gums are typically a pink shade reminiscent of chewing gum—similar name, very different substance—though there are exceptions that we’ll discuss below. Gums should also be moist and somewhat shiny, indicators that your dog is adequately hydrated. Here are some other colors you might see on or near your dog’s gums, and what they might mean: Black gumsBlack gums in a dog could be normal, or they could be an indicator of something serious. If your dog’s gums look black, and always have, then they might be a breed with darker-colored gums. This is common among dogs with darker snouts, lips, and tongues, like chows, shar-peis and black-mouth curs. Dogs of any breed may have black spots on their tongue and gums—all perfectly normal. If you notice the appearance of raised black spots that weren’t there before, this could be a sign of oral cancer. And if black spots are accompanied by terrible breath, it may indicate periodontal disease. If you’re not sure what’s normal and not, ask your vet; this is good advice in general. White or pale pink gumsGums that appear paler than normal may indicate that they’re not getting enough blood supply. Vets sometimes press on gums and see how quickly they return to their normal pink color for this very reason. White or very pale gums could be caused by anemia or blood loss, or a wide range of other conditions including bloat and shock, which require immediate veterinary attention. Blue or purple gumsIf your dog’s gums look blue or purple, that could mean they have a condition called cyanosis caused by low levels of oxygen in the blood. You may also notice skin on other parts of your dog’s body turning a bluish color. This is a serious condition, so be sure to get in touch with your vet if you suspect it. Bright or dark red gums |