Why is my dog grinding her teeth at night? What should I do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Teeth grinding is often a sign of nausea, mouth pain, or anxiety. If the first, you might also see drooling, changes in eating habits, or eating grass. If the second, you may also see teeth chattering, dropping food, etc. If it is anxiety related, you may notice patterns such as always after travel or when the other dog is near, etc. If it is only happening occasionally, I usually don't panic. If it's becoming more frequent, it's time to see the vet. Best of luck to you and Chewie!

Hello. This is actually fairly common in older dogs, but that does mean it does not need to be investigated. It could be neurological, like something similar to an intention tremor seen in older people, but it could also be an indication of tooth or jaw pain, or possibly even some esophageal reflux. Does Dougal seem to swallow more when he is chattering? If he is, & the fact this occurs primarily at night, I would wonder if there is some kind of reflux happening. Your veterinarian can determine if there might be any oral pain or tooth problems & determine if Dougal might benefit from any stomach protectant medications. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You are likely describing teething which is basically a normal type of behavior when puppies are growing up and it is secondary to mouth discomfort as teeth are growing. I recommend that you get Ollie teething type toys which you can get at your local pet store or online. Anytime that he tries to nibble at you or something he should nibble on, you say no and give him the toy. This is likely going to resolve the issue. Good luck and have a great day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to something affecting the mouth such as dental disease, inflammation or even a growth causing discomfort. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check what is going on so that therapy can be started. Best of luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! As you suggest teething is likely as this is the time that would be expected. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a classic sign of discomfort or mild pain. I recommend toys for her to chew on which will help with this. This process usually ends at about 7 months of age. Good luck!

Grinding teeth can be a sign of pain, oral disease, stomach problems, tooth problems and many more. It is a very general sign, but serious and it is not possible to pinpoint the cause without a hands-on exam, blood tests and radiographs, if indicated.. Please take him to a veterinarian for an exam.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to mouth pain. This may be due to bone discomfort or perhaps any sort of fracture or trauma. It could also be due to muscle pain. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Good luck and have a great day!