Normal Healthy Dog Gums vs. Unhealthy Dog Gums
Checking your pup’s mouth regularly can give you an idea of what’s going on in their body. And the first step is knowing how their mouth normally looks. This way you spot the difference between unhealthy and healthy dog gums.
Healthy Gums
Healthy dog gums are light salmon-pink. If your dog’s tongue or gums have dark pigmentation, no need to worry. Depending on a dog’s breed, spotted tongues and gums are common.
Applying light pressure to healthy dog gums shouldn’t cause pain. Healthy dog gums feel slick and hydrated. After pressing their gums, they should bounce back to a pink color. If your furry friend has no other abnormalities, you can rest easy, your dog has healthy gums!
Unhealthy Gums
Unhealthy dog gums are red, swollen, and tender to touch. Discoloration, growths, and sores are also signs of unhealthy dog gums. If your dog has discolored, unhealthy gums, it could be a sign of a more serious issue.
- Blue gums – a sign of hypothermia, heart disease, and low blood pressure
- Yellow gums – possible anemia or liver failure
- Light red gums – can be a sign of gingivitis or infection
- Bright red gums – heatstroke, high blood pressure, a sign of exposure to poison
- Growths – even when they’re benign, they can grow and cause discomfort
If your canine companion shows signs of discolored gums, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Maintaining healthy dog gums defends against disease.
Pale Dog Gums and Other Health Problems
Even when you know what healthy dog gums look like, it’s hard to know if your pup has pale gums if they don’t want you in their personal doggie bubble. Despite avoiding your annoying fingers, checking for pale gums can save your dog from anemia or heart disease.
Dogs are masters at masking their pain, so it’s difficult to tell when there’s a problem. Signs your to look out for:
- Pawing at their mouth
- Bad breath
- Change in appetite
- Blood on toys after playing
- Withdrawn and lack of energy
Plaque is a serious challenge against maintaining healthy dog gums. When your dog eats starchy foods, plaque builds up and turns into tartar. Tartar builds up at your dog’s gum line and breeds dangerous bacteria. Once your dog’s oral health reaches this phase, their defense against disease decreases. If your dog’s gums go untreated, the bacteria can eat into the bone, enter the bloodstream, and lead to periodontal disease.
Pale gums are a sign your dog could have anemia or other serious health problems.
Tips For Promoting Healthy Dog Gums
Healthy gums contribute to your dog’s overall health and prevent life-threatening diseases. Catching gingivitis early leads to better chances of preventing heart, kidney, and liver disease. So helping your dog maintain healthy gums can save you pain and worry later on! A few things you can do to keep your dog’s gums healthy:
- Brush their teeth at least once per day and every other day. Healthy dog gums are tartar-free! Using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove food and plaque makes a vast difference.
Our friends over at Papaya Pet Veterinary Care have put together this detailed guide about 5 Ways to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth at Home, how to properly carry out pups’ dental hygiene, and tons of other helpful tips about grooming from their expert veterinary team!
- Rubber chew toys maintain healthy dog gums by massaging and gently scraping away plaque. It’s also a great way to give them healthy treats while preventing boredom.
- Annual cleanings might be pricey, but they are one of the best ways to prevent oral diseases and maintain healthy dog gums. A certified technician can get into the spots a toothbrush can’t reach.
- Not all dog food is made the same. The benefits of quality dog food don’t stop at healthy dog gums, it can support your dog’s overall health, too.
Chew toys help fight plaque and maintain healthy dog gums.
Keep Your Dogs Gums In Pawfect Shape
Neglecting your dog’s oral health leads to life-threatening conditions. Even if your dog likes personal space, checking their gums regularly keeps you ahead of the game. Promoting good oral health and keeping your dog’s gums healthy isn’t hard when you make it a routine!
Plaque build up can lead to heart disease.
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