Imagine that you’re sitting down with your beautiful cat that you’ve had for a few years. He’s your best furry friend, and you strive to keep him as healthy and happy as you possibly can. Doing this means that you probably have done tons of research to find the best food, toys, and litter. You might even occasionally do at-home teeth cleaning.
But what do you do if you see a black spot on your cat’s gums? First things first, don’t start to worry. I know that seeing something strange on your cat suddenly pop up can be pretty scary. However, there are a few different things that this dark dot could be, and most likely it is going to end up being harmless.
Why are There Black Spots on my Cat’s Gums?
The main reason there are black spots on your cats bums is because of lentigo. It is natural and not harmful. However, there is a small chance that the black spots are a result of melanoma.
Lentigo
The first and most common explanation for the onset of black spots on your cat’s gums is something called lentigo. Most cat owners around the world haven’t heard of this unique skin abnormality. It may sound a little frightening when you are first hearing about it. Despite that, lentigo is actually pretty common in cats. It is especially common in cats with certain colored fur, and the spots that it leaves on cats aren’t cancerous!
If you are wondering if your cat has lentigo due to some black spots on his or her gums, you need to look at what kind of cat you have. Lentigo is most common in orange cats, but can also be seen in some calico, tortoiseshell, and flame point cats.
This deviation in a cat’s typical gum and skin color is going to look like a dark round spot. It is also common for it to have a clear and defined edge. These dots should not be elevated or have any redness around them. If you notice either of those things, you should make an appointment with your vet right away.
It is important to always make sure your cat has good mouth hygiene. A great way to maintain your cat’s oral health is to use a mouthwash such as BestLife4Pets Oral Health.
When does lentigo form on a cat’s gums?
Lentigo typically becomes present in orange-colored kitties after their first year or so of life. Additionally, cats that start to develop these beauty spots will have more show up as they age.
Sometimes these spots will even start to spread to the lips, nose, and eyelids. While there’s no way to stop these kitty freckles from popping up, vets are able to determine if lentigo is the cause of the black spots on your cat’s gums by performing a simple physical exam. And once you know that the black spots on your kitty are harmless, you can feel at ease admiring how cute they make your furry friend.
Is it normal for cats to have black spots on gums?
Most of the time, it is completely normal for your cat to have black spots on their gums. However, there are some cases where it could be a cause for concern.
If you are seeing new black spots appear on your cat’s gums or around his mouth/nose and there are raised spots, it could be a symptom of melanoma.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a very scary thing that some cats can be diagnosed with. That being said, it is fairly rare for cats to be diagnosed with it. Unfortunately, these potentially malignant tumors can start out appearing just like lentigo- black spots on the gums of cats. However, unlike lentigo, melanomas will typically be slightly raised, and may even have a red tint around the edge. If your vet suspects that the black spots on your cat’s gums may be a melanoma, a biopsy may be necessary.
There are some other signs and symptoms that go along with finding black spots on the gums. Melanoma will grow rapidly, so it is important to keep an eye on any new spots. You should pay attention to to see if they are growing and at what rate.
Melanoma spots will also cause irritation, which may lead to an infected cat scratching at the tumor. Other health concerns that you may notice if it is suspected that your cat is suffering from melanoma can include behavioral and diet changes. This can include things such as lack of appetite, weight loss, and grouchiness.
No matter what kind of animal you own, seeing something new and unexpected show up on them like black spots on their gums can be pretty scary and stressful. However, when it comes to cats, especially orange-colored ones, there is a very common and completely harmless explanation- lentigo. Or as many people like to endearingly call them feline freckles.
Conclusion
There are, of course, some other scarier explanations, like melanoma, that are rarer. No matter what color fur your cat has if you notice some new black spots popping up in places like their gums, nose, lips, and even around their eyelids, you should make an appointment with your vet to get a definitive diagnosis.
Your cat might also develop black spots in and around their mouth if they are dehydrated. If you notice that your cat has bad teeth, you should check out my article on Soft Dry Cat Food for Cats with Bad Teeth.
