Finding something new on your cat can be worrying and you may automatically think something is wrong with them but this is not always the case. Some cats develop changes throughout their lives which can be completely normal, one of those is ginger cats who develop black spots on their gums and nose.
If your cat has black spots on his gums he will mostly like be a ginger cat and will have the condition known as ‘Orange Cat Lentigo’.
Or put simply – Freckles.
Help! My Ginger Cat has black spots on gums – Do I need to worry?
The majority of cats who have orange fur, or even just a splash of ginger fur, will develop black spots on their gums at some point.
These black spots on your cat’s mouth may just be the occasional one or two, however, some get many, often looking like the cat’s gums are turning black.
The most common reason for dark spots on your cat’s face is lentigo, a genetic condition that affects cats with orange in their coat because they have more epidermal melanocytes.
As these pigment-producing cells multiply, small black or brown freckles appear on your cat’s face, or paw pads. Ginger cats (Ginger Maine Coons are particularly prone) are not the only ones affected by lentigo—the spots can also pop up on tortoiseshell, calico, yellow, and flame-point cats—but any cat with a hint of orange in their coat is more likely to develop the condition.
It is much like humans with red hair and tones being more likely to have freckles. However, unlike humans, cat freckles do not appear due to sun exposure.
Middle-aged to older cats are most commonly affected, but lentigo can appear in cats as young as a year old. All three of our ginger cats have developed them, usually from the age of two years and upwards.
Alongside the gums, sometimes these black freckles will also appear on the nose or even eyelids.
Should I worry about the black marks on my cat’s gums?
Lentigo freckles in your cat’s mouth should not cause any irritation or bother to your cat. They may grow in size over time, however, they should always be flat and not raised.
If your cat is bothered by the spots, they become raised they become red or bleed at any occasion, then it is advised they are checked by a Veterinarian. It does not automatically mean it is something bad, however, it does mean it may not be ‘Orange cat lentigo’ and further investigation may be needed.
Unfortunately, sometimes, the black spots on a cat’s gum can be a Melanoma.
What are the signs of melanomas in cats?
A melanoma is a skin tumour that develops from the cells that create skin pigment, known as melanocytes. Skin melanomas are rare in cats, with melanomas accounting for less than 1% of all feline oral cancers, and approximately 0.5% of feline skin tumours.
It is important to remember Lentigo and Melanomas are two different things.
Spots on your cat that may be melanomas:
- Are most commonly seen on the eyelids, ears, neck, and lower legs
- Affect middle-aged or older cats
- Appear as patches or raised lumps
- Can cause irritation or at times, even bleed
- Have a dark surface, which may be ulcerated
- Generally are solitary
If you are concerned about any markings or spots on your cat you should book an appointment with your Veterinary Surgeon.
Can anything be done about Lentigo in a cat?
No, cat gum freckles are a purely cosmetic condition (which we think are really cute) therefore they cannot be removed or ‘treated’.
You may find more and more develop over their years or you may find they have one beauty spot and never develop anymore.
The only thing you need to do as an owner is monitor them for any changes in height or for any irritation.