Pet Gum Health: What the Color of Your Pet's Gums Could Mean

When it comes to your pet’s health, their gums can reveal a lot about what’s happening inside their body. Knowing what’s normal, and what’s not, can help you identify when they may need urgent medical attention.

Healthy Gums

Healthy gums in most dogs and cats should be pink and moist, think bubblegum or light salmon pink. Some breeds naturally have dark or spotted gums, which is normal as long as the remaining gum tissue appears pink and healthy. If your pet has mostly pigmented gums, try checking other non-pigmented areas like their tongue for color changes. Any change in color is a reason for concern and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Gum color changes can be serious. If you observe any of the following, it’s time to get veterinary care as soon as possible:

⚪ Pale or White Gums: This can signal blood loss, anemia, or poor circulation, often due to internal bleeding, severe dehydration, or shock.
🟡 Yellow Gums (Jaundice): Yellow gums may indicate liver disease, red blood cell destruction, or a bile duct blockage. This can happen with liver failure, severe infections, or autoimmune diseases.
🔵 Blue or Purple Gums: Blue or purple gums mean low oxygen levels in the blood, often caused by respiratory distress, heart failure, or choking. 
🔴 Bright Red or Cherry Red Gums: May indicate high blood pressure, heatstroke, or poisoning. If your pet has bleeding or inflamed gums, it can be a sign of gingivitis or periodontal (gum) disease.

How to Check Your Pet’s Gums

1. Gently lift their lip to expose the gums.
2. Press a finger lightly on the gum tissue; it should turn white briefly and return to pink within 1-2 seconds. This is called the capillary refill time (CRT). A delay may indicate poor circulation or shock.

When in Doubt, Act Fast

A change in your pet’s gum color is never something to ignore, it can point to internal bleeding, heatstroke, or even organ failure. If you notice anything abnormal, contact your veterinarian or head to DoveLewis, where we're open 24/7 for emergencies.