Our favourite companions can make the weirdest sounds. Chances are you’ve already noticed the strange chattering sound that comes occasionally from your dog, but if it’s not below zero outside, you might be wondering what’s going on. Unlike us, dog’s teeth chattering can mean a multitude of things.
Dog teeth chattering can be totally harmless, when they’re excited and playful or have tried a new, unfamiliar taste, or smelt something but did you know it also signals certain medical conditions? We thought it might be useful to get the complete picture on those gnashers, so for the good (and bad) on why your dog chatters their teeth, here’s a round-up.
Why are my dog’s teeth chattering?
Before hitting the worry button, here’s what to do first. Ask yourself:
- What is your dog doing (are they sniffing, eating, socialising?)
- How are they behaving while the teeth are chattering?
- Is it ‘clicking’ or is your dog grinding their teeth?
- How healthy are their teeth?
This can give you a clue as to whether it’s simply an emotional response, or a symptom of pain.
Emotional response – some dogs chatter their teeth out of excitement or nervousness. The anticipation of a treat, a ball being thrown, or playing with a favourite toy can all trigger the jaw clicking or chattering.
Anxiety or stress – is your dog naturally nervous? If so you might find their teeth chatter while around new people or in new environments. They’re using their chattering teeth as a coping mechanism to help them stay calm!
Medical condition – while some dog teeth chattering is relatively harmless, it can also signal a problem with your dog’s gums or teeth. The most common causes of dog teeth chattering is periodontal disease. This is a painful condition where the gums become inflamed and bacteria eventually deteriorates the teeth, bones and tissue. Chattering can also be caused by sensitive teeth due to a loss of tooth enamel.
Oral pain – dogs do their best to hide their pain or show any signs of weakness, but the chattering can often be an instinctual response to being in pain. So if you’re wondering where your dog’s chattering teeth is coming from, it’s persistent, and out of the blue – seek advice from a veterinary professional.
Related blog: Your dog’s dental health
Why does my dog’s mouth chatter after licking?
Dogs’ mouths will sometimes chatter after they’ve licked something – it’s usually just an impulsive reaction and nothing to worry about! Remember dogs’ sense of taste and smell is much stronger than ours and sometimes this results in chattering teeth.
What to do about persistent dog teeth chattering
If your dog’s teeth chattering happens regularly, make a vet appointment. Your vet will help you uncover – and rule out – any potential health problems. Your vet will be able to thoroughly examine your dog’s teeth and gums to look for any signs of fractures or disease. If there are no obvious signs of a problem, your vet may suggest an X-ray to explore further.
Your vet will likely ask you questions about your dog’s behaviour over the last few weeks. Any unusual behaviour like excessive drooling, avoiding eating or playing with toys can signal mouth pain. Equally, a foul odour or blood coming from the mouth can also signify a problem.
Teeth chattering – oral health
Since dog teeth chattering is often caused by tooth or gum pain, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your dog’s teeth a few times a week and offer dental chews to help keep that build-up of tartar and plaque at bay.
Related blog: Dog’s and bad breath
If your dog is grinding their teeth (known as bruxism) read our blog here: https://tails.com/blog/2020/02/19/why-do-dogs-grind-their-teeth/
This has helped me out very much I was thinking he was having a stroke or something because he’s very old
thanks. this stsrted about a month into us having to distance due to my health issues. we have been doing this since mid March. she is a social butterfly and she misses her friends. occasionally we run into 1or 2 of her friends on potty runs. she appears depressed too. il take her to vet when I get my ss on the 3rd. thanks so much.
Thank you for your comment. It has been so difficult to hear of this event now that has been happening for over two weeks. I cannot endure the reality that I have not been able to give the senior dog I adopted 6 years ago, as a senior 9 years young Cocker Spaniel (that rescued ME!) the normal veterinary care that any responsible pet parent knows and takes care to accomplish. Financially, I have not been able to- because of an ongoing 4-year process with SSDI. At this moment, I do not know, and am unable to help my sweet boy Sammy (Davis Jr.)-
My 14 yr old Jack Russell, Cindy, has two visible tumors and really bad teeth. She has a heart murmur. She is a great dog and best friend. I have limited money, how can I help her. Her teeth chattering has increased and she squeals sometimes while yawning or stretching, then teeth chatters.
My 14 year old chihuahua also recently started chattering her teeth. She has bad teeth because she can’t have them professionally cleaned because she suffers from a heart murmer as well. I’m not sure what I can do to help her.
Have you tried dental chews. They come in various strengths and I use some that are 1.00 a day oravet chews. Plus additive into water + plaque off . Helped my 14 yr old with horrible teeth that were black. Now breath better, not chattering, teeth whiter.
My chihuahua is 10 and has the same problem.
She is missing teeth, so dental chews are out of the question :/
What kind of chews do you use ? What kind of additive do you use in the water ? I have a 16 year old min pin who cannot have anesthesia due to her age. I would love to add these to her diet.
My vet disapproves of dental chews because the dog gains weight with them.. from me stopping giving them to my dog she’s lost 1 st + in weight.
She is a large breed age 13 yrs she is now able to walk and get up much better.
I would find the money from somewhere to have her treated, I couldn’t let her carry on in pain. Poor love, at 14 she really doesn’t need this pain. Find some money, there’s always a way if it is essential, which it is.
Taken from the above info: “One of the most common causes of dog teeth chattering is periodontal disease. This is a painful condition where the gums become inflamed and bacteria eventually deteriorates the teeth, bones and tissue. Chattering can also be caused by sensitive teeth due to a loss of tooth enamel”.
Hope this helps, best of luck with your lovely doggie, try phoning a vet practice, are u registered with one, if not, do so as it is free to register?
Ian.
Hi Susan, I don’t know if you have sought help already for your pup but why don’t you contact your local vet school at a university of there is one near you? They are sometimes willing to help out
My dog is 18 years old and does this as well, I don’t have much money as I’m young and I rescued her when my neighbor passed away so it was very unexpected. Well when it happens with my dog, I’ve been putting her softest plush toy in her mouth and she stops because her mind gets distracted and she kind of snaps out of it. I thought it was seizures at first but I can tell it’s her teeth. She’s very old as I said, so when she gets too rowdy(she plays like a brand new puppy hahaha) her teeth with break and occasionally fall out. I took her to vet and he said this exact thing as this web post.
Sorry mine is 16 and same symptoms
Have you gotten any responses? If I get any I will text you… someone told me it was the start of seizures…… will let you know what O find out. Daisy has 2 tumors on lower back one on back leg and one on chest… cataracts and deaF.
Take her to a vet if you want to help her! There are clinics all over the country with payment plans and other means of assistance. The dog is miserable and if she’s your friend, you need to help her and not let the old girl suffer like that.
My dog keeps opening is mouth at one side he is eating and drinking went to groomers 4 weeks ago
Hello my name is Ashley, I have a 4 year old male blue nose Pitbull, everytime he licks his private area he looks back and his teeth chatter , when he licks his pee, and only sometimes after he eats a snack
I think that probably falls under the category of excitement. I have a red nose and he gets like that if he smells certain things that makes him nervous or overexcited.
My 3rd cocker spaniel (8 months old) started this a few months ago as well! Others never did this. Strange habit! As long as there is nothing physically wrong guess we’ll have to live with it or maybe it will just stop
My pug cross sometimes clicks his teeth after smelling my other dog’s penis or urine. It’s the only time he does it. Why does he do it? It doesn’t seem like a medical or dental thing and I know dogs’ urine and feces has chemical messages. Could the pug be detecting something he likes/doesn’t like in the other dog’s urine and should I be concerned?
thanks. this started about a month into us having to distance due to my health issues. we have been doing this since mid March. she is a social butterfly and she misses her friends. occasionally we run into 1or 2 of her friends on potty runs. she appears depressed too. il take her to vet when I get my ss on the 3rd. thanks so much. Peaches is a Chihuahua mix of 3 other breeds. she has had teeth removed a few years ago plaque removed. I put plaque control liquid in her water. she is a nervous type dog. her jaws do not match up. I got some natural herbs stuff to calm dogs. it helps. any further suggestions welcomed. she is 10 yrs old
I have a 19mth old Chocolate Labrador and she has just started to chatter her teeth. I have noticed one side of her lip is slightly swollen, not too much but it is slightly bigger than the other side.
I was wondering if she has been stung as her teeth are immaculate being so young??? She us eating normally and playing as usual.
Thank you
I have a 16yo Kelpie x Cattle dog (it’s an aussie thing). She has only started chattering in the last year or so. She does this only as she is settling down to sleep (she has never played ball, she was a lonely rescue with us at 6yo). She is in excellent physical health according to our vet, but I am beginning to wonder about her mental health as she sometimes looks around as if she doesn’t know where she is. I’m worried we may lose her sooner than expected.
My 11 year old beagle mix has been doing this for a year. I struggled with thinking I was losing her in the beginning but she’s still getting a clean bill of health from the vet. We’ve seen some improvement after giving her Innovet CBD 3 times a day and some hip and joint pills (in case she has hidden arthritis pain). All that to say, it may just be a new “old dog habit.” They age just like humans but it may not be the end. Just enjoy every day she’s hear and don’t let your worry put a damper on your time with her ?
Have a foster dog and he does it when my other dog pees. He goes over and licks it and his teeth chatter. I guess I have a dog that’s excited about pee…. EWWWWW! haha
Hello Sean,
Did you get any more insight into this? I had an Aussie Shepherd who started chattering teeth at around 11yo. He’d only do it a couple of times a day, and only when laying down for the evening or when we were all settling in for sleep. He had old, very worn teeth but no visible disease. It never increased in frequency.. The body language just didn’t seem to fit with worsening tooth pain, which I would have thought would occur more randomly across a day and activity?
My dog had teeth chattering for about a week and then it stopped. She’s thirteen. Her teeth are not great. Does it mean it resolved itself?
Hi Jeanne,
I’d recommend having a chat to your vet or vet nurse to make sure everything is okay 🙂
Millie
My 14 year old pomchi has been experiencing similar symptoms as most of the older dogs I’m reading about here. It’s been about 3 weeks now and I know he’s suffering. He looks to me to send me a message and at first I thought it was old age and he also has some history of seizures. My local vet gave him a clean bill of health w all vitals in check. I’m thinking now of getting a second opinion and specifically focusing on the mouth as the source of disease or infection or perhaps a tooth needs extracting. Nothing hurts more than watching your best friend not be their self and depressed and uncomfortable.
It’s important to realize that dogs can click their teeth when in discomfort but it does not automatically mean it’s related to their teeth or mouth. My 12yr old lab always gets a clean bill of health at wellness visits, but just found out she has a large tumor in abdomen, which did not show up on routine blood work, only x-ray. Teeth clicking can be a symptom brought on by many things, unfortunately.
I’ve had two greyhounds and they both chattered. I was told its a greyhound thing and nothing to worry about. My first had dreadful teeth though (14 taken out by the vet) but Cariad’s teeth are fine – she has a chew every night and dried chicken feet as a treat
Hi guys, my older dog has bad teeth and had some removed. He won’t let me brush his teeth but I add Arm & Hammer Fresh spectrum water additive for dogs to his water (a small capful in a bowl once per day). It has baking soda but is tasteless to dogs. He is extremely fussy usually but he doesn’t notice this, and it takes away his bad breath completely, and hopefully helps to clean his teeth a bit. Worth a try for your older dogs – I got it on Amazon. The vet recommended Purina dental sticks to me – apparently these are good, but many other brands won’t really work. My dog won’t eat these however, but yours might! Cate 🙂
My puppy is 5 months old and she started chattering her teeth . Could this be because she is loosing her baby teeth I can’t really see anything in her mouth
Hi Trish – it might be! If you’re concerned, I’d have a chat with your vet or vet nurse.
Hi,
My dog is ten and has just started to chatter his teeth, he eats, walks and goes to the toilet fine. I checked his teeth with my finger and he doesn’t shy away. I called the vet and they told me to take a diary of when he does it. He does it everyday mostly at night when we are in bed, some during the day. Not sure what it could be?
My dog was doing exactly the same thing last night first time I had seen her do it but there was also a bad smell from her mouth she had a cracked tooth so just wondered if that might be the problem but I am going to get her some dentasticks and a dog tooth brush and try to clean her teeth see how that go’s first but if anymore problems I will take her to vet
My dog experienced cold for the first time and by the time i realized it she was chTtering her teeth. Since then she chatters often. I noticed it everytime she yawns the mouth closes and dpu le taps. I als noticed when she feels the chill she would chater. Shes 14 and she has bad teeth. My dog is always at home and sleeps with us in the bed. Shes a princess check her out on her tiktok. Iheartlucy
What I’ve learned thus far about teeth chattering which in normal activities I’ve learned that they will chatter if they taste something they want to remember the taste of or of possibly something bitter. They will do this while eating carrots, rabbit poo, stick their head in the toilet to lick the rim etc. continued…
… Continued. So what you’re talking about is likely due to pain likely starting in the mouth could be even caused from an infection in the mouth as it drains. If you have ever had an infection in your mouth it tastes what I assume poo would taste like which makes sense of why they would then chatter. I do know that I had a dog I babysat that had rotten teeth and they had them pulled and her eating habits improved after that. She no longer had pain when chewing even if she had to gum it. She ate dry food before and much more after. If you can’t afford care for your dog there are some locations that will give you financing or reduced prices if you receive things like badgercare or food stamps, humane societies, non profit kennels, etc. Otherwise check in with a veterinarian school they may have a very discounted rate or almost free for practicing while under supervision of the teacher so no worries about the quality of care if they are willing to help. (Fyi Colleges are also a good place to check for mechanics, beauticians, health student clinics, vets, etc) I hope this helps at least future readers.