A dog’s mouth is an excellent indicator of their overall health, even in the absence of any other apparent symptoms of illness. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly give it a thorough check – usually during deep grooming (around once a month). Here we will take a look at what you should expect your pup’s tongue to look like, how to correctly care for it, as well as detailing what changes in dog tongue color could mean in terms of their health and what you should do about it.
Dogs With Naturally Black & Purple Tongues
There are a few breeds that have naturally purple tongues. The tongue may have different shades where some appear to be black while others appear to be very blue.
The Chow Chow is the most popular dog with a blue tongue and many Shar-Pei dogs also have tongues with this color.
The reason for the Chow Chow to have the unique tongue is attributed to genetics just like other physical characteristics.
The color difference is due to a mutation that has been passed down from one generation to the next. This makes it possible for mixed-breed dogs or mongrels to have a blue tongue.
However, if your dog is not a purple tongue breed and the tongue turns purple, you should be careful. Bluish purple patches on a dog’s tongue can be caused by physical trauma like bruising which leads to swelling.
Black tongues in dogs can be caused by heatstroke where there is an increase in body temperature.
Warning Signs On Your Dog’s Tongue
Your fluffers tongue provides a wealth of information about her health status. Tongue discolouration is an indication of illness that can arise with itself or other oral conditions.
The coating, colour or the texture can show a problem in another part of the body. Of course, the tongue discolouration can happen if the dog has been topping at toys with artificial colours. Before rushing to a vet examine that possibility.
The dogs with Purple/Blue colored tongues originally.
As mentioned above, there are a few breeds that have originally purple/blue-colored tongues. In these dogs, the color of their tongue is not a signal of lack of oxygen and things as their original color is purple/blue. The breeds like Chow Chow and Shar-pei have blue/purple tongues.
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Their tongues appear in shades of blue and sometimes even black because of very dark blue. Chow Chow has this purple/blue tongue because of their genetics. It is because of mutation in their ancestors that have been passed from generation to generation. That is why sometimes, mix-breed dogs have blue/purple tongues too because of the mutations.
But in case your dog’s tongue is not purple/blue originally, you need to check and keep an eye on this colored tongue of your dog. This color can signify a lack of oxygen and other things as explained above in nonblue/purpled tongue dogs.
Sometimes, the reason behind the bluish-purple tongue can be some sort of physical trauma and bruising. It might even lead to bruising. A black-colored tongue that appears black but is usually dark blue. It can be caused because of heatstroke while there is an increase in the dog’s body temperature. It might even lead to bruising. A black-coloured tongue color chart that appears black but is usually dark blue. It can be caused because of heatstroke while there is an increase in the dog’s body temperature.
FAQ
Why is my dog’s tongue pale?
What color should my dogs tongue be?
What does a pale Coloured tongue mean?
Why does a dog’s tongue change color?
If the tongue, gums and the mucous membranes in the mouth have turned purplish or blue it could be an indication of cyanosis. This is usually a result of insufficient supply of oxygen in the blood, mostly caused due to a heart or respiratory disease.