Black Gums Above the Teeth in Dogs

If you've ever seen a dog bark or pant, it's likely you've seen their gums. Unlike healthy human gums, which are light pink and uniformly colored, a dog's gums are often splotched with what appears to be black growths. While possibly unsettling to see, these black marks are normal for the dog and have no ill effects on its health or well-being.

  1. Looking at your Dog's Gums

    • To look at the color of your dog's gums, talk to it softly while caressing its snout. As you calm the dog, gently lift its lips on either side of the snout to see the gums. They should be pink, black or spotting like the fur of the dog, but never yellow or green.

    Why are Dogs' Gums Black?

    • Basically, certain breeds of dogs simply have darker pigment in their gums. Like fur color, gum color is passed along genetically, so the color of a dog's gums is up to a measure of chance. There's nothing wrong with dark gums, so don't worry about that specific coloration.

    How to Examine Black Gums

    • Examining the gum color of a dog with dark gums is slightly more complex than a dog with light gums. To check the true color, you need to see past the black coloration. To do this, lift up the gum above the dog's canine or eye-tooth. Immediately above the tooth, you should be able to see the gum's true color, allowing you to make an assessment of your dog's health.

    Signs of Trouble

    • If your dog's gums are a color other than pink or black, take him or her to your veterinarian as soon as possible. An infection in the mouth, which can be indicated by odd colored gums, can quickly spread throughout the dog's body. This means that a simple sore can quickly turn into a life-threatening heart infection if not treated properly, so take any changes to your dog's gum's physical appearance seriously.