If you see your dog’s teeth chattering, you might start to wonder if he or she is just cold or if it could be a sign of a health problem. To help answer that question, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains what dog teeth chattering might mean and what you could do if you notice this behavior in your dog.
During the winter months, I certainly notice my teeth chattering more often when I step outside. But what is going on when dogs chatter their teeth?
Why is my dog chattering his or her teeth?
Teeth chattering in dogs can be a normal response, but it can also point to a medical condition. Let’s take a closer look at the different reasons for a dog to chatter, grind, click, or chomp his or her teeth.
1. Normal teeth chattering: Detecting pheromones
This one sounds a little gross, but you might see some dogs chattering their teeth after sniffing another dog’s urine! Dogs have a special organ in the roof of their mouth called the vomeronasal organ that helps them detect pheromones (scent signals). Chattering their teeth or jaws can help them better pick up another dog’s pheromones.
This behavior is especially common in unneutered males, but can be seen in any dog. Often, these dogs also have excessive drool that may appear foamy.
2. Normal teeth chattering: Being cold
It may seem obvious, but a dog with chattering teeth may be cold! Even though dogs usually have a fur coat to keep them warm, if you’re cold, your dog may be cold, too.
A dog who is cold may also shiver, have a hunched posture, lie in a tightly curled circle, or seek out a warmer area for shelter. If you’re navigating dogs and cold weather, watch for some of these signs. And ensure you provide your pup with comfort items and a warm place where he or she can retreat.
3. Dogs may chatter their teeth due to dental issues
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from oral pain due to dental problems. Sometimes the first sign of dental disease in dogs (periodontal disease) is chattering teeth. Additionally, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) arthritis, jaw fractures, or dog mouth cancer may also cause teeth chattering. Dogs may clench their teeth or move their jaw around in an effort to alleviate pain or abnormal sensations.
With dental problems, you might also notice some of the following signs:
- Bad breath in dogs
- Tartar (yellowish to brownish debris) build-up on teeth
- Red gums in dogs or bleeding gums
- Excessive drooling
- Chewing on only one side of the mouth
- Decreased appetite
- Dog losing teeth
- Pawing at the face
- Mass or swelling on the gums
Safety note: Your dog’s mouth may be painful, and not all dogs like having their mouths handled. Use caution when attempting to evaluate your dog’s teeth or gums.
Contact your vet if your dog might have a dental problem
If you are noticing these symptoms, please make an appointment with your vet. Most likely, if your vet suspects an oral issue, he or she will recommend an anesthetized dental examination and cleaning. This allows the vet to take dental X-rays, perform any needed dog tooth extractions, biopsy masses if present, and clean and evaluate the teeth.
Not only is dental disease painful for dogs, but a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) demonstrated a link between the severity of dental disease and the risk for heart disease in dogs. Thus, if your dog’s teeth chattering is linked to a dental issue, it is a good idea to address it ASAP.
4. Dog teeth chattering due to focal seizures
Some neurological conditions, such as focal seizures in dogs, can have teeth chattering as a symptom.
Grand mal seizures in dogs are what most people think of as seizures. But dogs can also have petit mal seizures (focal seizures) that only affect a certain part of the brain and body.
One type of focal seizure, sometimes called a chewing gum seizure, involves a dog repeatedly chewing, twitching their jaw, and/or chattering their teeth. Dogs experiencing these types of focal seizures may otherwise be completely normal or may seem to “zone out.” But they usually do not lose consciousness in the same way they would with a grand mal seizure.
Should this sound like your dog, make an appointment with your veterinarian. If it turns out your dog’s teeth are chattering due to seizures, your vet can discuss treatment options such as anti-seizure medications or supplements. Dr. Buzby’s Brain Boost™ Organic MCT Oil for Dogs may be a good option since MCT oil has been shown to raise the seizure threshold for epileptic dogs. This means those dogs may have less frequent or less intense seizures.
5. Anxiety as a cause of teeth chattering
If your dog only seems to chatter his or her teeth in stressful situations (e.g., vet visits, thunderstorms, meeting new dogs or people), anxiety could be to blame. Anxiety can be especially common in senior dogs, so be on the lookout for symptoms as your dog ages. In addition to teeth chattering, other signs of anxiety can include:
- Vocalizing (whining, barking)
- Panting heavily
- Trembling
- Hiding or reluctance to come out from certain areas
- Drooling
- Destructive behavior, such as chewing furniture or scratching at doors and walls
- Poor appetite
- Restlessness
If you have noticed your dog showing some of these behaviors, reach out to your vet. There are many options for treating anxiety, such as behavior modification, supplements, and/or medications like trazodone for dogs or fluoxetine for dogs. Plus, there are many ways to calm a dog down at home.
Usually, finding an effective treatment plan involves a bit of trial and error. Your vet can work with you to create and refine a plan for your dog.
6. Normal teeth chattering: Excitement
On the other end of the behavior spectrum, some dogs chatter their teeth when they’re super excited! You might notice the behavior when it is dinner time, your dog sees another animal or person, or someone comes to the door. Excited dogs tend to be bouncy, alert, and wagging their tails. Their eyes, ears, and bodies are relaxed and sometimes wiggly.
It’s important to consider context and the rest of the dog’s behaviors to determine whether excitement or anxiety is most likely the reason for the teeth chattering.
7. GI discomfort can make dogs chatter their teeth
Finally, sometimes if a dog is nauseous or experiencing GI pain, he or she will clench the jaw or chatter the teeth. Additionally, you might notice your dog licking his or her lips, drooling, vomiting, standing with the back arched, refusing to eat, or having diarrhea.
If you see these signs, the best thing you can do for your dog is make a vet appointment. There are many causes of GI issues, from acid reflux in dogs to pancreatitis in dogs or IBD in dogs. Your vet can help find the problem and then develop a treatment plan. This could involve medications, diet change, probiotics for dogs, surgery, or any number of other interventions.
What should you do if your dog’s teeth are chattering?
If your dog’s teeth are chattering, start by observing what else is going on with your dog or the environment.
If your dog is outside in the snow and the chattering stops once he or she is back inside on a cozy bed, the cold temperatures were probably to blame. Or if it happens when your dog is sniffing around while on a walk, your dog may have just been reading his or her “pee mail.” Both of those are normal reasons for teeth chattering.
However, teeth chattering that isn’t connected to being cold, sniffing around outside, or being excited could indicate a medical problem. Thus, if you have any concerns or are noticing sudden teeth chattering in dogs, it is best to make an appointment with your vet. If possible, try to capture a video of the teeth chattering so you can show it to your vet. Especially when it comes to diagnosing focal seizures, a video can provide a lot of helpful information.
How will the vet figure out why my dog’s teeth are chattering?
During the vet visit, the vet will ask you questions about when you are seeing the chattering, how long it lasts, and if you are noticing other symptoms.
Plus, he or she will examine your dog from head to tail. Since dental problems are a common culprit, the vet will carefully evaluate your dog’s mouth. Plus, he or she will check for abdominal pain or masses, perform a neurologic assessment (if indicated), and look for any other abnormalities.
In some situations, the vet may also recommend X-rays or a CT scan, blood tests for dogs, an abdominal ultrasound, or other tests. Then, based on that information, your vet will reach a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.
When in doubt, consult your vet
If your dog is chattering his or her teeth and your gut says something might be wrong, listen to it. Give your vet a call or schedule a vet visit. If it turns out to be nothing serious, great! But it is much better to find out everything is okay than to have a delay in addressing a potentially problematic condition.
Why were your dog’s teeth chattering?
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