Dog gum color can actually reveal a lot about the overall health of a dog. If the color of your dog’s gums is abnormal, it can also let you know if your dog’s health is compromised, and when to seek help. That’s why a dog gum color chart can be a helpful pet-parenting tool.
In this article, we’ll cover what healthy gums in dogs should look like. You will also learn about some different gum colors you may see in dogs, what they mean, and advice for keeping your dog’s gums a healthy color while promoting good canine oral health.
Healthy Dog Gums: How Should They Look and Feel?
To ensure your dog’s gums are healthy, you need to know what normal dog gum color looks like.
Healthy dog gums should be pink or pale pink and moist. If your dog is excited, hot, or has recently been exercising, their gums may appear darker pink. The gums should be free from bleeding, excessive salivation, and should not be sensitive to the touch. Dog gums should feel moist to the touch — not excessively dry or wet.
If you notice black or brown spots on your dog’s gums, don’t panic! Some dogs have black or brown pigmentation on their gums and tongue or their whole mouth can be pigmented. Some dog breeds, such as Chow Chows and Samoyeds, have blue-black gums and tongues. However, dogs can develop cancerous melanoma on their gums, so if you see a new black spot, have your veterinarian examine it to ensure it’s not a problem.
Dog Gum Color Chart: What Different Shades Could Mean
Now that you know what normal gums look like for your dog, it’s time to learn to spot abnormal gum colors in dogs and learn what those colors may mean.
If you notice your dog has an abnormal gum color or is acting sick in any way, it is important to get your dog evaluated by a licensed veterinarian as soon as possible. Some dog gum color changes can indicate a medical emergency.
Pink Dog Gums
Pink is the normal color of healthy dog gums. This means that your dog is in homeostasis — a state of normalcy. This means your dog’s heart is pumping blood normally to the tissues and blood pressure is normal, which gives healthy gums their pink color.
Pale or White Dog Gums
When gums do not get their regular supply of blood, they turn pale or white. These colors indicate that a dog is not receiving normal blood flow or blood pressure to tissues. This can occur if a dog is in shock, is anemic due to blood loss, has low blood pressure, or heart disease. Pale gums in dogs can be a medical emergency and should be evaluated quickly by a veterinary professional.
Blue, Purple, or Gray Dog Gums
If a dog’s gums are abnormally blue, purple, or gray, this is called cyanosis. It signals very poor blood circulation or decreased blood oxygen. This can occur with severe low blood pressure, respiratory diseases, heart disease, or severe hypothermia. If you are unsure if the dark coloring of your dog’s gums is normal, ask your veterinarian.
Bright or Cherry Red Dog Gums
Bright red gums can signal severely high blood pressure, heatstroke, or poisoning.
Bleeding or Inflamed Dog Gums
Bleeding and inflamed dog gums usually indicate gingivitis and dental infections. Bleeding gums can also be seen with clotting disorders.
Yellow Dog Gums
Yellow dog gums indicate jaundice which can occur with liver disease or immune mediated anemia.
Spotted or Mottled Dog Gums
While spotted or mottled dog gums can be normal in some dogs, if you notice that your dog’s gums suddenly have spots, it could be petechiae. Petechiae are little dark red spots that indicate a bleeding disorder.
How to Check Your Dog’s Gum Color
If your dog is comfortable with you touching their mouth and is in a relaxed, happy mood, then it’s a good time to take a look at their gums. It is best to check their gums with good light – bright sunlight, fluorescent lights, a pen light, or your phone’s flashlight can all work.
Gently lift their lip. Check both sides of the mouth, top and bottom, and as far back as you can see. Give your dog lots of praise, talk to them gently while you do it, and give them a small treat when you are done to build a positive association with checking their gums.
In addition to checking gum color, observe the gums for any other changes, such as bleeding, abnormal spots or growths, ulcerations, cuts or lacerations. At the same time, you can look for any broken, loose, or rotten teeth. Also evaluate the moisture of the gums with your finger if your dog will let you – the gums should feel moist but not overly wet. If the gums are tacky or dry to the touch, that could indicate dehydration.
Dog Gum Refill Time
You can also check your dog’s capillary refill time. This simple test checks your dog’s blood pressure and circulatory health. Here are steps to check your dog’s capillary refill time at home:
Step 1: Lift their lip.
Step 2: Using your finger, gently press on the gums and then release. The gums should turn white when you press them.
Step 3: Count (in seconds) how long it takes for the gums to turn back to pink.
The time it takes for the gums to turn pink again is the capillary refill time (CRT), and it should be 2 seconds or less. If your dog’s CRT is longer than 2 seconds, contact your local veterinarian.
Ideally, pet parents should check their dog’s gums at least once a week. If you brush your dog’s teeth at home, then add a gum check to one of your teeth brushing sessions each week.
Dog Gum Color: When to See Your Veterinarian
Some gum color changes indicate an emergency, and if you see them you should take your dog to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. These include:
- Blue-tinged gums (that are normally pink)
- White or pale gums
- Extremely red gums
- Purple gums
- Lacerations or injuries to the gum
In addition to dog gum color changes, there are additional abnormalities that warrant a visit to your regular veterinarian as soon as possible. These include:
- Bleeding gums (could indicate dental infections or bleeding disorder)
- Gum tumors (could be benign growths or malignant)
- Dark red spots on gums (bruising that could indicate trauma or a bleeding disorder)
- Lacerations, cuts, trauma, or foreign bodies (such as a stick stuck in the gums)
Caring for Your Dog’s Gums and Oral Health
By checking your dog’s teeth and gums regularly you can promote good oral health and catch problems when they are small. The following is a list of additional items that can benefit a dog’s oral and overall health:
- Brush your dog’s teeth at home at least every 72 hours
- Have your dog’s teeth and gums checked annually by a licensed veterinarian
- Have your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally by a veterinarian as needed
- If you or your veterinarian notice anything abnormal in your dog’s mouth, get it addressed as soon as possible
- Ensure your dog has plenty of fresh, clean water
- Protect your dog against internal and external parasites
By catching and addressing problems when they are small and doing what you can to promote oral health in your dog, you are helping them to live a longer, healthier, and pain-free life. Always contact your veterinarian if you notice anything about your dog’s gums that is concerning.
