Why does my dog chatter its teeth? Here's what it means

Why does my dog chatter its teeth? Here’s what it means

Have you noticed that your dog is chattering his teeth? There are several causes that can cause a dog to grind and chatter his teeth. Some of these causes indicate some behavioral problem, but others suggest an underlying disease or physical disorder.

A strange behavior that will baffle dog owners is when a dog begins to chatter its teeth. This entails repeated banging of the mandible and jaw, so the teeth hit each other. There isn’t any specific reason in real life why it occurs. At times, it’s very normal, while in other cases, it may be a sign of an underlying condition.

Causes of a dog chattering its teeth

We can split the causes of a dog chattering its teeth into two general groups: behavioral causes and causes due to real diseases.

Behavioral causes:

Flehmen: It is an entirely normal behavior in which the dog sniffs very interesting odors using the Jacobsen organ (which humans don’t have). Also known as the vomeronasal organ, it allows the animal to perceive some odors more efficiently through both smell and taste. When the Flehmen response is initiated, the dog rhythmically slams its jaw and mandible to direct the odor particles towards the Jacobsen organ. This is typically seen in male dogs when they detect a female in heat, but it can also occur when they detect urine.
Over-excitement: If a dog becomes too excited, then it will clatter its teeth forcefully. This is a built-in, natural thing that the dog does automatically.
Cold: If a dog is chattering its teeth due to cold, the entire body will usually shake, not just the mouth.

Health-related causes:

Oral Disease Conditions: Diseases like tartar, periodontal disease, stomatitis, or even mouth tumor could be so painful in a dog that it chatters its teeth.
Object: in Mouth: Sometimes a stick or some other object stuck in a dog’s mouth may make it chatter teeth.
Neurological Conditions: This type of mouth tremor is normally preceded by other symptoms, such as drooping of the lips, eyelid drooping, or difficulty opening the mouth. It can also be an onset symptom of a seizure in some dogs.
Poisoning and Toxins: Tremors can be caused by some toxins. But when it comes to poisoning, the tremor does not only occur in the mouth but is generally generalized to the entire body.

What to do if your dog chatter its teeth?

What to do when your dog chatters its teeth depends on why it is doing so.

Flehmen or Over-excitement: Absolutely nothing needs to be done at all. It is normal behavior and the dog does not need to be punished or scolded.

If You Think the Dog is Cold: Bring the dog indoors, but watch out—owners mistakenly think over-excitement rather than cold.

If You Suspect a Health Problem: Start by calling your vet. After an examination, your vet will determine if there is a foreign body (in which case removal will be necessary), tartar with periodontal disease (in which case a dental cleaning, tooth extraction, and blood tests are necessary), or a neurological issue (in which case further blood tests, a specialist neurological examination, and possibly a CT or MRI scan will be necessary).

How to handle an overly jealous partner

A pinch of jealousy is normal, but when it becomes excessive it can suffocate the relationship: communicating, establishing clear boundaries and, if necessary, asking for help are fundamental steps to regain balance and live a healthy and serene relationship.

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Jealousy is one of those emotions that, when managed in a healthy way, can even strengthen the bond between two people. However, when it becomes excessive, it can turn into a serious problem, undermining trust and suffocating the relationship. If your partner is overly jealous, it’s important to address the situation with sensitivity while prioritizing your emotional well-being. Here are some practical tips to navigate this dynamic and restore harmony in your relationship.

Normal or obsessive jealousy? Recognizing the warning signs

A little jealousy can be completely normal, but when it crosses over into excessive control, permanent insecurity, and unwarranted doubts, it’s a warning sign. Some warning signs to look out for are:

Obsessive checking of your phone or social media
Constant unwarranted accusations of cheating
Having trouble trusting you even in simple situations
Trying to limit your friendships or personal space
Over-the-top reactions to simple situations

If you find yourself explaining yourself over and over again or smothered by your partner’s jealousy, then jealousy has become an issue and is standing in the way of a peaceful relationship.

Communication is key: how to discuss jealousy without arguments

When jealousy is in control, it’s essential to handle the issue in a peaceful and straightforward way. Do not react angrily or irritably, as this further escalates the tension. Rather, try to have an open discussion and explain to them how their behavior affects you.

Be empathetic and try to understand their insecurities and fears
Set definite boundaries, outlining what is acceptable and what isn’t
Don’t stir up their insecurities, yet don’t necessarily feel the need to justify everything
Establish both parties’ mutual trust by transparent communication and action

When insecurity or past experiences lead to jealousy, support in both directions is enough to override the problem. But never forget: love cannot ever be required to transform into control or oppression of personal freedoms.

When is it time to seek professional intervention?

If, despite open communication and attempts at balancing the relationship, jealousy persists, then seeking professional assistance is warranted. A session of couples’ or individual therapy can identify the reasons for jealousy and arm the participants with ways to cope with it in a healthier way.

But if the relationship turns toxic, with flashpoints of emotional control or choking domination, your own self-care is the top priority. Trust and respect should be the building blocks of a healthy relationship, not fear of losing your partner’s affection by making them jealous.

The article draws upon studies published and recommendations from international institutions and/or experts. We do not make claims in the medical-scientific field and report the facts as they are. Sources are indicated at the end of each article.