What the Color of Your Dog's Gums Mean

Every dog has gums surrounding their teeth, and these mucous membranes give us a lot of insight into the health of our pets. Acting primarily as a protective barrier, gums have a rich blood supply that gives them their distinctive pink color. When this color and other normal gum attributes change, such as moistness and temperature, it can mean that something is wrong and should be further examined by a veterinarian.

What Do Normal Dog Gums Look Like?

Normal gums should be a bubble gum pink color. When pressed with your index finger, the gums should lighten to a white or pale pink color and then quickly (within two seconds) return to the normal pink color when you take your finger off of the gums. The amount of time it takes for the gums to return to the normal pink color after you press on them is called the capillary refill time, or CRT. Gums should also be slippery or wet and smooth if you were to run your finger over them. They should not be sticky or dry.

Gum Problems in Dogs

Blue Gums: If inadequate amounts of oxygen are being circulated through your dog's blood supply, its gums may turn blue or purple. This gum color is referred to medically as cyanosis. Cyanosis can be caused by a variety of issues. Pneumonia, congestive heart failure, pulmonary thromboembolism, and other respiratory problems can cause this blue gum coloration if the condition is severe, because of a decrease in oxygenated blood. These conditions are all very serious.

Growths on Gums: Oral tumors are commonly found on the gums of dogs. Sometimes these growths are benign or go away on their own, and other times they are cancerous or contagious. Pappilomatosis is a viral disease that is easily spread from dog to dog and results in pink, fleshy warts on the gums, along with other areas on the body. These are typically not as concerning as other types of growths or tumors. Other tumors can be cancerous and cause serious health concerns in a dog in addition to causing problems eating and pain.

Bleeding Gums: Stomatitis, gingivitis and growths can often cause a dog's gums to be very sensitive and prone to bleeding. If your dog has bleeding gums, he should be checked out by a veterinarian to assess the underlying cause.

Treating Gum Problems in Dogs

The treatment plans vary for gum problems in dogs. For problems involving the gums that are related to respiratory conditions, immediate oxygen therapy is often necessary in addition to medications specific to the underlying condition. For pale pink or white gums, a dog may need a blood transfusion due to anemia or blood loss. If a growth is involved, surgery may be necessary to remove them from the gums. Dental care involving cleaning, tooth extraction, medications, and sometimes even cold therapy laser treatments may be necessary to address bleeding or bright red gums. Finally, if a dog is overheated and has bright red gums, cooling it down should address this.