Black roof mouth in dogs: what is it?
One of the most common questions pet parents ask vets is about their dog’s roof of the mouth turning black. This blackening can occur on either one area, or over the entire mouth, so knowledge about this condition will help you know what to expect for your pooch.
First of all, don’t worry: a black roof mouth in dogs is completely harmless and is nothing to be concerned about in your pet’s health. However, this condition will still need to be treated because it can lead to other problems if ignored over time.
What does it mean when the roof of a dog’s mouth is black?
If you’re wondering what causes black spots in a dog’s mouth, it’s likely the result of heavy pigmentation. These darker spots are the result of microscopic melanin granules and present as flat, pigmented areas found on your dog’s tongue, gums and inside the lips and mouth.
Dogs With Black “Points” Are More Likely To Have Black Spots on Their Tongues
Traditionally, a dog’s gums are pink. Sometimes, however, you’ll notice your dog has black patches on his tongue. It’s a cause for concern for many people. However, in most cases it’s just their genetics peaking through.
Dogs with a black coat tend to have the kind of heavy pigmentation that turns up inside their mouths. This black pigment is the result of microscopic melanin granules. If you have a dog like this, you’ve probably been asked, “Why does your dog have a black tongue?”
Sometimes people will refer to dogs with “black points” as more likely to have black pigment in their mouths. A black “point” doesn’t refer to the color of your dog’s fur. The term is reserved for dogs who may have black lips, a black nose, dark eye rims, paw pads, and toenails.
What the Color of Your Dog’s Gums Mean
Everyone knows that pets have pink tongues. Seeing a bright pink tongue in a dog’s mouth seems to signify a healthy mouth. It’s what we expect to see in a dog. But what about breeds with black gums? It may be more common than you think. In most cases, genetics plays a large role in color of a dog’s mouth.
Whether you’re worried about sudden black spots in your dog’s gums or you’re just curious about the phenomena, we’ve got you covered. This post will get you up to speed on all dogs with black tongues and gums. We’ll talk about what the sudden appearance of black spots could mean for your dog and how to care for your dog’s teeth and gums for optimal health.
Did you know there are at least 37 dog breeds that can have black patches on their gums and tongues?
That doesn’t necessarily mean their tongues or gums are totally black. Instead parts of the gum color may still be pink with scattered black areas around the inside of the mouth.
The Chow Chow and the Chinese Shar-Pei are the only dogs whose breed standard allow them to have black or blue-black pigmented mouths. Dogs entered into dog shows are recognized for these traits, specifically in those two breeds.
If you’re worried that your puppy appears to be developing black spots on his/her tongue, you can stop.
In this post, we’re going to give you a list of dogs more likely to develop harmless black spots inside their mouths. In addition, we’ll give you the tell-tale signs that the spots may not be what you thought. In that case, a visit to the veterinarian should be planned.
Keep reading for a detailed list of the most common breeds with black tongues and gums.