What is cat bruxism (cat grinding teeth)?

Ever heard of a cat grinding teeth? Although this looks more like cat teeth chattering​ than grinding (as we humans can do), it’s still something all cat carers should be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know about cat teeth grinding, what to do, and how to help.

Key takeaways

• Cat teeth grinding is medically known as cat bruxism. It’s when a cat persistently moves its jaw from side to side, or cat teeth chattering​ which can also cause excessive drooling.
• Bruxism in cats can be caused by different types of pain or discomfort in a cat’s mouth (a broken tooth or dental disease) or body, mental distress, or nutritional deficiencies.
• If you see or hear your cat teeth grinding, take them to the vet. They’ll do an oral exam which could also involve an x-ray or CT scan to find out the exact issue.

What is cat teeth grinding AKA cat bruxism?

Bruxism in cats includes things like a cat jaw chattering and drooling​, excessive cat teeth chattering, or being heard as a kind of cat jaw clicking without them chewing or eating anything. Cat teeth grinding will not be something a cat is born is - it’s an abnormal behavior that can indicate a few different physical and mental health issues. 

Why do cats grind their teeth​?

Dental disease or mouth pain

One of the most obvious reasons for feline teeth grinding is due to issues with their teeth, gums, or mouth pain. Broken teeth can lead to sore gums and even infection which can be painful for your kitty. To cope with this, your cat may grind or chatter its teeth due to the uncomfortable feeling in its mouth. Similarly, dental disease (brought on by damaged teeth, gums, or issues like tooth resorption) can also cause a cat teeth grinding.

Coping with other sources of pain

In some cases, your cat may be grinding their teeth as a way of reacting to pain elsewhere in their bodies. If a kitty is experiencing pain in its esophagus or throat, they may use cat jaw chattering as an attempt to clear whatever is causing them pain.

Anxiety or stress

Just as we humans chatter or grind our teeth during situations of stress or fear, so too do our feline friends. If a cat is feeling anxious or freaked out by a situation, they may begin to overly chew the air as a coping mechanism. You can sometimes hear the cat jaw clicking as they move their teeth together.

Behavioral issues

Excessive biting or the chewing and eating of inedible objects (pica) is not normal cat behavior. Yes, they do bite but they should not be constantly gnawing or grinding their jaws. As mentioned, this could be due to an anxiety-induced situation for them, but it could also be a symptom of more long-term mental distress. This could be due to a new family member joining the household, having a near-death experience, or even something like swapping your couch for a new one. Cats are emotionally sensitive creatures who don’t like change, so keep an eye out for cat teeth grinding if you’ve had a big life event.

Nutritional deficiency

Think of nutritional deficiency as a type of illness - your cat’s diet is lacking in something that can cause joints or tissue to become irritated or sore. This can include your kitty’s mouth and jaw causing affected cats to grind their teeth. Vets can easily pick up on any nutrient deficiencies with blood tests, so make sure this is never ruled out as a possibility.

How to diagnose and treat teeth-grinding cats?

If you notice your cat grinding teeth or its jaw, you must take them to the vet immediately. Even something like a nutritional deficiency can be life-threatening, so book an appointment ASAP. Once there, your vet will be able to give them different tests, including an x-ray or CT scan to see what’s going on inside their little furry bodies.

From there, they’ll be able to treat your cat accordingly. This could be something as quick as a vitamin shot or a dose of antibiotics, or else a more intense course of action like dental surgery. You and your vet will be able to come up with the best plan for your kitty once they have their diagnosis.

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