Why Does My Dog Have Black Spots on its Tongue?
If you take a look, you might notice that your canine companion has black spots on their tongue. Not every dog has a tongue like this, but there are many breeds that do. Why do some dogs have black spots on their tongues while others don’t? Is it something you should be concerned about as a pet parent? Let’s find out!
Misconceptions About Black Spots on a Dog’s Tongue
If you’ve ever seen or met a Chow Chow, you may have noticed their prominent blue/black tongue. Besides their lion-like mane, it’s one of their most distinguishing traits. Because of this, many people believe that if a mixed dog breed has any sort of black or blue coloring on their tongue, it’s because they have Chow in them. Another common belief is that if you see a purebred with spots on their tongue, it means they’re not actually a purebred at all.
However, neither of these statements is accurate, and a spotted tongue isn’t a scientific or reliable way to discover a dog’s ancestry.
Melanin Could Be the Cause
Melanin is a substance that determines skin and hair color as we as the color of one’s eyes. If a person has extra pigmentation in their skin cells, it can show up as birthmarks or freckles. When it comes to our canine companions, these “freckles” caused by melanin can show up on their skin as well as their tongue. So if a pup has black spots on their tongue, it could be due to extra pigmentation.
Dog breeds that have darker lips or noses may also have dark pigmentation spots on their gums and tongue. These “freckles” will typically be visible upon the canine’s birth or develop when the pup is very young.
When The Color of Your Dog’s Tongue Should Raise Concern
Even though black spots on your furry friend’s tongue can be completely safe and normal – it might also be a sign that a medical issue is at hand. Healthy spots will have the same texture as the rest of your canine’s tongue, and pretty much stay the same size and shape their whole life. If you discover spots that aren’t blue/black, are raised, have a foul odor, or are a different texture than that of the dog’s tongue – then there might be a problem. Additionally, dark spots that suddenly appear on your pup’s tongue, mouth, gums, or skin can also be indications of health issues. If you find anything like this on your furry friend, you should call their vet to get it properly checked out.
Black spots on your pooch’s tongue can be a completely normal trait that appears on all dog breeds, purebred and mixed alike. When these spots have been present since birth, they usually are nothing to cause concern. It’s typically only when these types of spots show up out of nowhere is when you should call Fido’s vet.