Dogs and cats have tongues that can do a hard lick of work or, if they need to, just a few tender laps. Those tongues are tough enough to do a number on hard bones, yet soft enough to gently lick a newborn clean. But whatever job they are doing, tongues have a typical color, and any change in the usual color of your pet's tongue may be a warning sign that something is wrong with your pet.
Most dogs and cats have tongues that are all pink. (Shar-peis and Chow Chows have black tongues, while mixed breeds sometimes have tongues with spots or speckles.) If you notice a black spot where there didn't used to be one, you should call your vet because it could be melanoma, a type of cancer, says Patricia Ashley, D.V.M., a veterinary resident in dermatology at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville. Melanomas usually have an irregular border and appear to spread into the surrounding areas.
If your dog's tongue is naturally black, it won't be easy to detect dark spots, of course. But you can easily see flashes of pink, which are usually spots where the tongue is missing pigment. White spots on a dark tongue may occur if your pet has been licking irritating chemicals or even plastic, which may cause allergic reactions, says Steven A. Melman, V.M.D., a veterinary dermatologist in private practice in Potomac, Maryland, and author of Skin Diseases of Dogs and Cats. But in some cases, white marks signal immune system problems, he adds.
Usually, you don't need to worry about small, raised pink spots on your pet's tongue. These are probably just tastebuds that have been coated with milk or food, making themselves visible.
Apart from those pink spots, if your pet gets other types of lumps or bumps, he should be checked by a vet. Those marks could be tumors or a sign of infection, says Dr. Melman.
Pets will sometimes develop sores on the tongue called ulcers if they have been licking or chewing things like harsh chemicals or a plugged-in electrical cord. Ulcers on the tongue can be extremely painful, says Dr. Melman, and the pet will often drool or have trouble eating. Since ulcers may be caused by kidney disease, it is important to call your vet as soon as you notice them, he says.
See Your Vet If...
- Your pet has a new spot or a spot that has changed its color
- His tongue has raised bumps or white spots
- Your pet has depressions in the tongue that look like sores
- He is drooling or has trouble eating
- Your pet can't open his mouth or is having trouble opening it
- He can't close his mouth
- He won't eat or has difficulty chewing or swallowing
- His tongue, lips, or muzzle are swollen
- There is a foreign object stuck in his mouth
- His gums are red and swollen, or there is bleeding
- Your pet is drooling or panting excessively
- His tongue or gums are blue or pale
- Your pet has ulcers on his tongue
- He is gagging frequently
- There is a lump anywhere on his face
- He is pawing frequently at his mouth or face
- There is a discharge from his mouth or nose that lasts two days or longer
- His breath is consistently bad
- Your pet's nose is dry, crusty, or bleeding
- His mouth is foaming, or he's grinding his teeth
- There is dried saliva around the mouth
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