Dogs chatter their teeth for several reasons, including physical, emotional, and environmental factors. Common causes are:
- Cold temperatures, causing a shivering-like response similar to humans chattering teeth when cold.
- Excitement or anticipation, such as before play, a walk, or receiving a treat.
- Anxiety or stress, where chattering is part of behavioral responses to fear or nervousness.
- Oral pain or dental issues, like periodontal disease, fractured teeth, or jaw pain (TMJ disorder).
- Response to strong or unusual scents, linked to the vomeronasal organ activating to analyze pheromones.
- Rarely, neurological issues such as seizures can cause teeth chattering.
Additionally, teeth chattering can be a form of communication or displacement behavior used to stay calm or ward off threats. It may also indicate joy or happiness in certain contexts. If a dog's teeth chattering is frequent, prolonged, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms (e.g., lethargy, confusion, visible pain), a veterinary evaluation is recommended to rule out medical causes.
