Dogs have several behaviours, some of them are things we are used to and do not find strange in any way. Others, however, are actions that the average dog lover might not understand but dogs still carryout consistently. One of the many things that dogs do but several dog owners do not have an understanding of is chattering their teeth. If you have spent time around your dog you will find out that dogs’ teeth sometimes chatter. This is something that is quite frequent and it is quite a source of worry for some dog owners.
If you are interested in finding out if it is okay for dogs’ teeth to chatter, then, you should know the various reasons why their teeth chatter.
That being said, below are reasons why dogs’ teeth chatter.
Anxiety
A lot of times, dogs’ teeth chatter because they are anxious. This usually takes place when they go on a drive or meet new people.
Dogs’ Teeth Chatter when they are Nervous
It is common knowledge among dog lovers that the average dog will bare its teeth when it feels threatened. However, beyond simply being defensive and reacting to threats, dogs teeth chatter when they are stressed and nervous.
People that have not really spent a lot of time around their dog might assume that dogs do not get nervous. Well, the truth is dogs, just like humans get nervous and when they do, they react by chattering their teeth.
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Dogs Chatter Their teeth when they are Excited
Teeth chattering in dogs is something that occurs when they get excited. This is also something that they do when they are expectant. This is one reason you might find dogs chattering their teeth when their master arrives from a rip. The reason for this is they are expectant and they know it is time to be fed.
A Reaction to New Smells
Dogs have very sensitive nose and this means they will always smell new scents even if the scent has been around for just a short while. When sniffing for a new scent, dogs have very funny looking faces. Also, their teeth chatter in the process.
A Response to Pain
Dogs sometimes feel body pain. In situations like this, they growl a lot. You might be used to this. However, growling is not the only thing that dogs do when they are in pain. They also chatter their teeth.
Low Body Temperature
There is a lot that dogs have in common with humans. One of the many things they have in common with humans is they sometimes have low body temperatures. While their fur comes in handy in keeping them warm, there are times it does not do enough to keep them warm. In situations like this, they might have no choice but to chatter their teeth.
Big dogs do not get cold as quickly as small dogs. If the weather is cold, before you even begin feeling cold, it could already get cold and might begin chattering its teeth. If you notice this, then, you will need to make it feel warm. This can be done by either getting it a sweater or by ensuring you make its environment warm.
Periodontal Disease
Just like humans, dogs also have periodontal diseases. This disease can cause teeth chattering in your dog. Now, since there are several reasons your dog might be experiencing teeth chattering, knowing the exact reason your dog is experiencing teeth chattering might be a little difficult. Although difficult, it is not impossible to know if your dog’s teeth are chattering because of periodontal disease or some other reason.
If teeth chattering in your dog goes on together with tooth loss, bad breath, eating difficulty, and drooling, then, there is a likelihood this teeth chattering is caused by periodontal disease.
Beyond the already mentioned reason why teeth chattering could be caused by periodontal disease, the presence of blood in a dog’s water bowl, as well on its chew toys is an indication that teeth chattering might be caused by a periodontal disease. That’s not all. If your dog only eats on one side of its jaw, you might need to treat a gum disease to deal with teeth chattering.
Should Dog Owners be worried because Of teeth chattering in a dog?
Teeth chattering in dogs can be harmless and can be dangerous. The effect of this activity on your dog’s general well being is strongly dependent on why its teeth are chattering. This means if you notice teeth chattering in your dog, you will need to consider the many factors surrounding it before deciding how dangerous or how safe it is at the time.
With a good understanding of the symptoms, a vet can know exactly how to tackle issues of teeth chattering in a dog.
What Action Should I Take when my Dog’s Teeth are Chattering
If your dog is experiencing teeth chattering and you are sure why exactly it is going through this, it is okay to use your discretion to remedy the situation. If it’s cold, ensure it becomes warm. Also, if it is scared or nervous, you simply need to make it comfortable.
Having a dog that is dealing with teeth chattering might not be an issue if you are sure why its teeth are chattering. However, if you are not certain what the reason for teeth chattering is, then, you perhaps have a problem on your hands. One way to go about teeth chattering in your dog when you do not know its cause is by visiting the vet.
Visiting your vet is a trusted way to deal with issues of teeth chattering in your dog. While this can go a long way in making your dog feel better, you might want to record your dog chattering its teeth before visiting a vet. Once you are at the vet’s, show them the video as this will help them understand what your pet is dealing with.
How will Vets Go about Treating Dogs with Teeth Chattering
There are various vets in the world and these different vets have been trained in different ways. So, what you experience with one vet might be different from what you will experience with another vet. Generally, when you get to your vet’s they will ask you questions about the symptoms that your dog is exhibiting. Once your vet gets all the details they need about the symptoms that your dog is exhibiting, they will carry out different physical examinations.
When carrying out physical exams, your vet will have to give extra attention to your pet’s mouth. After getting this done, if they are able to find out the actual reason for the chattering of its teeth, they will have to recommend more tests. Some of these tests are CT scans, MRIs, etc.
Conclusion
To a large extent, you can prevent jaw chattering in your dog. To get this done perfectly, you will need to know the exact reason your dog’s teeth are chattering. The less serious reasons for teeth chattering in dogs can be prevented. However, you might find it difficult to prevent teeth chattering in your dog if the cause is not known.
