Are Black Spots In My Dog’s Mouth Normal?

If you’re worried about a black mole or spot inside your dog’s mouth or gums which seems to enlarge as he/she matures, choose to be safe always and get your vet’s opinion. The spots may either be harmless or otherwise.

Usually, these spots appearing on the skin, tongue, gums, or nose are caused by your dog’s normal pigmentation brought about by the naturally occurring melanin. As your canine ages, the spots, which are comparable to a human’s birthmarks and freckles, slowly enlarges. These are common to certain breeds, including the Shar Pei and Chow Chow.

Mouth cancer can also cause these spots in your dog’s gums. Oral melanoma manifests as raised lesions which enlarge as your dog ages. This condition causes your dog to have odorous breath. Dental disease and tooth infection can, likewise, account for the black spots on your dog’s gums and are often accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of teeth, the build-up of tartar on their teeth, and having foul-smelling breath.

To prevent dental disease or tooth infection, always keep your dog’s teeth healthy by brushing them every day using a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Again, any unusual change in your dog should be taken as a reason to visit your vet. The black spots’ increase in size, raised appearance, accompanying pain, foul-smelling breath, and other unusual changes in your dog should not be taken lightly.

Remember, when in doubt, a simple check-up with the vet may save your dog’s life.