Why are my cat's gums dark brown instead of pink? Is it normal?

Hi and thanks for your post! That black around the gum line is a normal pigment variation. This type of pigmenting of the gums can be normal in some dogs like the Siberian Huskies. It does not indicate a health concern. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Yes, this can be considered a normal pigment variation in cats. There are some color patterns, such as the orange tabby, that can have small black spots along their lips, eyelids, and nose. These are not harmful and are termed lentigo simplex.

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!

The pictures are a little blurry. With what I see in the pictures her gums look normal with a small amount of gingivitis. I would recommend brushing her teeth with a cat approved toothpaste daily to help her gums. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This can be very normal in pink nosed cats! The color can change with ambient temperature, with activity or when stressed (gets more pink). It can indicate anemia but cats that are anemic also have pale gums and act sick. If her nose still gets its normal pink color she is likely fine. My own cats nose does this. If you are unsure about her gum color, have your Vet check her to be sure. I hope this helps!

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!

There is a wide variety of normal pigmentation in cats' mouths, ranging from pink to gray to black. If this is a sudden change, it should be addressed with Shalom's vet, but otherwise it is likely normal.