08/08/2026
🐶🦷 WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT yOUR DOG’S GUM COLOUR IS TELLING YOU? 🐶🐾
Your dog’s gums can give you some important clues about their health — and knowing what is normal for your dog can help you spot changes early.
🩷 Healthy pink gums
Usually salmon/bubble-gum pink, moist and slippery.
🤍 White or very pale gums
Can be associated with shock, blood loss, anaemia or poor circulation.
💛 Yellow gums
Can be a sign of jaundice, which may be associated with liver or other underlying problems.
💙 Blue or purple gums
Can indicate low oxygen levels and should be treated as an emergency.
❤️ Very dark red gums
Can occur with heat stress/heatstroke and other serious conditions.
🔴 Cherry-red gums
Can occur with certain poisonings, including carbon monoxide poisoning, and require urgent veterinary attention.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Some dogs naturally have black or heavily pigmented gums, so knowing your dog’s normal colouring is important. A sudden change in gum colour, especially alongside weakness, collapse, difficulty breathing, vomiting or unusual behaviour, needs urgent veterinary attention.
💡 TIP: Get into the habit of checking your dog’s gums when they’re well. That way you’ll know what is normal for them.
