Why does my dog's jaw chatter or shiver when he opens his mouth?

Chattering can be due to stress, excitement or pain. Check the room temperature in case he is cold. Look in his mouth, if he allows, for signs of periodontal disease. This includes swelling, redness, bleeding, tartar buildup or loose teeth. If you spot any of these or if the chattering persists, have Ice examined by your veterinarian.

Duchess' chattering could be a result of either oral pain or a focal seizure (more subtle repetitive neurologic behavior). At this point, the best thing you can do is take her to the vet to determine if she has signs of dental issues, or any neurologic deficits. Until you can take her to the vet, keep a log of when this chattering behavior occurs including the time, duration, any preceding events (meals, exercise, stress, etc.), and take a video of this chattering to show to your vet.

The most obvious reason a dog will chatter its teeth is because he is cold. But sometimes, dog teeth chattering is a sign of a behavioral or medical disorder. It's worth getting your dog checked for any underlying medical conditions just to safe and for your own peace of mind. The most serious cause of teeth chattering in dogs is usually caused by focal motor seizures. These seizures will cause short bouts of teeth chattering. Small dogs are best known to chatter their teeth when they are nervous or excited, but bigger dogs are known to do it as well. There is no known reason for this, but is usually not a cause for concern. If your dog has swollen or bleeding gums, she may chatter her teeth in pain. Always check your dog’s mouth if you notice she’s been chattering her teeth out of habit. As long as your dog does not seem to be in pain, teeth chattering is not usually a health concern. However, it is important to check your dog’s teeth regularly if he has a habit of chattering his teeth to make sure they are not cracking.

I'm sorry to hear that Zorro has had some jaw chattering lately. As you'd mentioned, oral pain is one of the most common causes of jaw chattering. Oral pain can arise from dental disease, jaw pain, and injuries. I do see a fair amount of tartar and gingivitis in the pictures you'd attached, but the tricky part is that for most dogs, the worst part of the dental disease is often below the surface of the gums. Since Zorro recently fell off the couch, it's also possible that he injured his jaw or another body part in the process, resulting in jaw chattering from pain. Regardless, the best thing is for you to take Zorro to his vet for a full physical exam. Since he tends to bite from anxiety, I'd recommend calling your vet to discuss the exam process first because they'll certainly need to look in his mouth for a thorough assessment. Your vet will likely prescribe oral sedative to be given before the exam or may recommend injectable sedation at the time of his appointment. I hope that everything goes well!

Jaw problems can be difficult to diagnose without a CT scan of the head. Keep an eye on her and monitor her eating and drinking habits. If you notice the condition getting worse contact your veterinarian and discuss referral to a veterinary specialist such as a neurologist.

If he will allow, look in and around his mouth for any signs of infection, injury or foreign bodies. This may include redness, swelling, discharge, bruising or bleeding. See your veterinarian for an exam if anything suspicious is noted.

That is odd behavior for a younger dog. When you see it, try to record the episode. Also try to note if it seems to be in response to a smell or something else that might be triggering him. Sometimes dogs will do this if they smell something super enticing. Other times this can be a sign of jaw pain, a bad tooth or seizures. I have seen some dogs do this and the cause was never discovered. Since Hades can’t just talk and tell you, I recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian to check for any pain or neurological abnormalities. Show the doctor the video as that can be immensely helpful. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.