Dog Teeth Chattering: What You Need To Know

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Symptoms & What They Mean

By Heidi Kos-Barber, DVM. Reviewed by Brittany Kleszynski, DVMUpdated Feb. 4, 2025 dog teeth chattering: dog chattering their teeth

Ivar Østby Simonsen/ via Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Teeth chattering in dogs can be caused by several health problems, the most common being dental or oral pain.
If your dog’s teeth and/or jaw chattering is associated with bad breath, drooling, bleeding, or other symptoms, contact your vet.
Dog teeth chattering is typically treated according to the underlying cause; these treatments may include medications, procedures, or calming interventions.

Why Do Dogs Chatter Their Teeth?

Several different health problems can cause your dog’s teeth to chatter. A veterinarian can do a thorough exam to determine the cause.

Here are some of the causes behind teeth chattering in dogs.

Dental or Oral Pain

One of the most common causes of a dog rattling their teeth is oral cavity pain or dental pain.

A dog with a broken tooth, dental abscess, or gingival inflammation can be in pain, which manifests as jaw chattering. Oral ulcerations or cancerous or benign growths, which don’t necessarily involve the teeth, can also cause pain and teeth chattering.

If your dog has a dental or oral issue, they may also:

Drool excessively

Have bad breath (a sign of infection or plaque buildup)

Have trouble picking up and chewing food

Prefer softer food or treats instead of hard bones or dry food

Your veterinarian will perform an oral exam to look for evidence of dental disease or soft tissue inflammation, then make recommendations based on what is found.

Keeping your dog's teeth clean and healthy can prevent dental pain and teeth chattering related to gingivitis. Opt for a dog toothbrush and an enzymatic toothpaste (like the Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog & Cat Toothpaste) and brush your pup's teeth regularly.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Dogs with pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may also exhibit jaw chattering. If a dog has a jaw fracture or arthritis involving the TMJ, they may show signs similar to a dog who has oral pain or disease.

Your veterinarian will open and close your dog’s mouth to feel for grinding or resistance to movement of both TMJs.

If TMJ disease is suspected, imaging such as X-rays or computed tomography (CT) may be recommended. 

Gastrointestinal Issues

Gastrointestinal problems can also cause jaw chattering.

Dogs with nausea, vomiting, or gastroesophageal reflux may chatter their jaws or grind their teeth. If your dog’s jaw is clenched, their teeth can rub together, causing grinding. They may also drool.

Your veterinarian may recommend performing lab work and imaging, such as ultrasound or endoscopy, a procedure where a tiny camera is used to look at specific parts of the dog's GI tract.

Anxiety

Anxiety can result in jaw chattering behavior in dogs, too.

Greyhounds commonly have chattering teeth during routine exams because they are nervous.

Once a dog is out of the stressful situation, their jaw chattering usually stops. 

Seizures

Neurological conditions such as focal seizures (seizures that only affect a specific area in one half of the brain), may show up as jaw chattering or even fly-biting behaviors.

Unlike the other causes for jaw chattering, dogs with seizure activity usually won’t respond to you. With seizure activity, a dog tends to “space out” and not respond when you try to get their attention by calling their name or clapping.

Your dog may show specific signs before or after a seizure. For example, just before the seizure, your dog may pace or become clingy, and after the seizure, they may be tired. Your veterinarian may ask you to try to get a video of your dog’s behavior and note the circumstances surrounding the seizure (such as level of activity, time of day, and duration) to assess seizure activity as a potential cause for jaw chattering.

Pheromones

Some dogs, especially unneutered male dogs, may chatter their jaws/teeth after smelling a female dog. However, female dogs can do this too when smelling the scent of a male dog.

The thought is that the pet is trying to smell the scent better by bringing the odors into the scent organ at the roof of their mouth. When this happens, there may also be salivation that is sometimes foamy.

Ear Infection or Inflamed Muscles

Less commonly, dogs in pain from ear infections or muscle inflammation may have jaw chattering. Your vet will be able to verify either of these through a physical exam. Further testing such as X-rays, CT, or special bloodwork may be recommended. 

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What To Do About Dog Teeth Chattering

You should be concerned if your dog’s teeth/jaw chattering is associated with:

Bad breath

Swelling around/in the mouth

Drooling

Bleeding

Decreased or no appetite

Weight loss

Loss of muscle tissue

If you have a concern about your dog’s teeth/jaw chattering, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They will likely be able to find the possible cause based on the exam alone and will make recommendations to diagnose and treat the underlying problem.

Dog Teeth Chattering Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause for the teeth chattering. The veterinarian will formulate a suitable treatment plan based on the diagnosis.

Possible treatments may include:

Professional dental cleaning

Tooth extraction

Antibiotics, such as clindamycin

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as meloxicam

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone

Antacids, such as famotidine
Seizure medications, such as levetiracetam
Ear medication, such as Mometamax

If your dog's teeth are chattering because of anxiety, fear, or overexcitement, there are a number of at-home solutions you can try to calm your pup. If the teeth chattering happens because of sensitivity to loud noises, vet visits, or separation anxiety, a ThunderShirt may help your dog feel more secure. Pheromone sprays like the ThunderEase Pheromone Calming Spray can also help soothe your dog in stressful situations.

Your vet might also recommend adding in a calming supplement to your dog's diet. Products with L-Theanine like VetriScience Composure Chews and Nutramax Solliquin Soft Chews may help your dog with noise sensitivity and other fears, but talk to your vet before giving your dog a new supplement.