[estelle]

Hello im new, I stumbled across the site while trying to find out why dogs grind their teeth

I have 2 Cavvies and when its mealtimes the youngest always tries to attack my older 1 then he will grind his teeth!!

This is the only time he does it does anyone have any ideas why??

Thankyou

[CorkyMax]

Not sure this will help much but you might find it interesting nevertheless. It is a thread on same issue done a while back in here: Problems with grinding teeth

Why Do Dogs Grind Their Teeth? | eHow.com

Look for oral pain or g.i. upset
Bruxism, or tooth grinding can be a sign or oral pain. In a boxer, many teeth are rotated or come in abnormal contact because of their relatively short maxilla (upper jaw). This can lead to abnormal tooth-to-tooth contact, causing exposure of sensitive tissues, or abnormal tooth-to-soft tissue contact, causing painful areas in the mouth. Some dogs will develop thickened tissues inside the cheek or under the tongue called "gum chewers lesions". These thickened tissues end up getting caught between the teeth, getting more trauma, and can be painful.
Be sure you have your veterinarian look closely at all of the teeth for abnormal wear. A common area of deep wear is on the lingual (tongue) side of the mandibular (lower) canine teeth where the maxillary (upper) incisor teeth contact them. This can cause major bone loss and periodontal disease as it progresses, so it is good to intervene when your dog is so young.
Also look under the tongue and inside the cheeks for any thickened or inflamed tissues. A thorough workup for bruxism can sometimes require oral exam under anesthesia and dental radiographs.
Another reported cause of bruxism is gastrointestinal discomfort. Does your dog vomit or have spells of poor appetite? This may indicate a stomach or esophageal problem that your veterinarian may be able to treat.

Hope these suggestions help!
Melissa Gates
Melissa Gates, DVM
Cordova Veterinary Hospital
Rancho Cordova, CA

Nothing in this response is, nor is intended to be, a diagnosis, nor a suggestion or recommendation of treatment, nor a suggestion or recommendation of any procedure or product. To obtain a diagnosis and or treatment for your animal(s), you will need to take your animal(s) to your personal veterinarian.

[cigwyllt]

Is he definitely grinding his teeth? He couldn't be chattering could he? My dog's teeth chatter when he is really excited/stressed.

[estelle]

Hmmmm maybe?? it sounds like a kind of clicking noise?? He never does it any other time. The only time it happens is when i'm preparing their food and he "goes for" Charlie, if Charlie isn't around then he doesn't make the noise, and if he decides NOT to "go for" Charlie he still doesn't do it, only immediately after he's attacked him!!
Bailey is a very excitable dog but if this was the reason wouldn't he do it whenever he got excited???

Very strange

[Todd]

corky/max provided some great info on why the dog may grind its teeth.

you need to solve the attacking problem because it could be dangerous. I'd recommend feeding them 1 at a time and keeping the other back or feeding them on opposite parts of the room. This is possessive aggression and is hard to stop against another dog because it's like a wolf in the wild where the survival of the fittest idea applies. You need to keep them apart while eating. r they aggressive with one another in any other situation like when toys r involved?

[Sheng]

Hi my dog Rex chatters his teeth when he is anxious or excited, he particuarly does it when he tastes blood. We found this out because I had scraped my leg up our garden wall rescuing next doors cat. I hadn't noticed I was bleeding until he started to lick my leg and chatter his teeth. He also does it when another dog is around, (he's scared of dogs).
Hope this helped
P.s I saw the tag "anyone who hasn't tased soap never washed a dog"? Rex stands still in the bath and lets me leave the room to get the soap. Is my dog just abnormal?

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Sheng

Hi my dog Rex chatters his teeth when he is anxious or excited, he particuarly does it when he tastes blood. We found this out because I had scraped my leg up our garden wall rescuing next doors cat. I hadn't noticed I was bleeding until he started to lick my leg and chatter his teeth. He also does it when another dog is around, (he's scared of dogs).
Hope this helped
P.s I saw the tag "anyone who hasn't tased soap never washed a dog"? Rex stands still in the bath and lets me leave the room to get the soap. Is my dog just abnormal?

Yes lol My dog Lucky runs out of the bathroom and jumps in my bed all wet

[Sheng]

Lol! I think I'm privilaged then, Rex will jump into the bath it's getting him in the bathroom that's the problem! He's terrified of water, I only just got him to go in a stream for his ball!