My cat's back gums are dark. Is this a sign of a dental problem?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, this is normal. Each cat and dog is different, some have pigment of varying degrees inside of their mouth and some have almost none. So, good observation. In cases where there is significant pigmentation of the mouth, other areas of the body can be used to assess how pink they are. The inside part of the eyelids is a good place to check that. Good luck

Gingivitis presents as redness and swelling of the gums. The black line you see may be tartar on the tooth itself or, if on the gum, natural pigmentation. You can try a small fingerbrush that may be tolerated a bit better. Daily brushing is recommended for maximum benefit. If he is a chewer, you can provide various chew toys and chewable treats.

What I see in the picture is a change in color where the gums meet the hair line. This is something I see just as cats age. Sometimes in orange cats the skin will become black in pigmentation. Other times you will see a blue color. I would just continue to monitor it for now. If it gets bigger to you can take Schmidt to the vet for a quick check but I do not think it was related to the dental

White gums in any animal is concerning as it can be a sign of shock or anemia. Based on your attached photos, I would not be alarmed about the color of the gums. They are not pale, they are an adequate pink color. Unless you notice other changes such as weakness or lethargy or vomiting, then I would not worry and just monitor for further changes.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! in a young kitten, this is likely just a change in pigmentation and not a big concern. I would not be too concerned about this unless you ever notice a mass effect or it seems to be causing any discomfort. Best of luck!

Without a picture it is very difficult to tell but dark black/grey pigment within the gum is quite normal and not a cause for concern. Red/inflamed ulcers, tartar build up on teeth and bad breath are causes for concern and should be assessed by your vet. Dry kibble such as royal canin dental or hills vet essentials are designed to help optimise dental hygiene whilst your dog chews them, enzymatic toothpastes such as logic gel can be very helpful as can medicated chews such as dentagen sticks

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is not necessarily a problem. In fact, this is most likely a normal change in pigmentation. If this ever develops a mass effect, I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment. Best of luck!