Teeth Grinding in Cats: Why It Happens

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Published:  August 16th, 2024

You already know that people sometimes grind their teeth, but did you know that bruxism can occur in cats, too? This can be caused by pain in the mouth or body, so it is important to have your kitty examined by a veterinarian if you notice the symptoms of bruxism.


What is bruxism in cats, what causes it, and what can be done about it? Keep reading to learn a bit about feline bruxism so you’ll know how to recognize it.

Fabio Lamanna/Shutterstock

What Are the Symptoms of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) in Cats?


Teeth grinding in cats will have some obvious signs, and you’ll know that it isn’t normal behavior simply based on what it looks and sounds like. Your cat might grind their teeth while they’re eating or between meals.


When your cat is grinding their teeth, it will look like they are chewing on something even if nothing is in their mouth. You will hear a strange sound, described as a scraping sound, caused by the teeth rubbing against each other. And your kitty might even drool if the grinding is caused by pain or a dental problem.


What Causes Cats to Grind Their Teeth?


Oftentimes, a cat who is grinding their teeth is experiencing mouth discomfort. Problems like tooth resorption, misaligned teeth, loose teeth, broken teeth, and gum disease could be to blame, but there might be other issues, such as inflammation, ulcers, or tumors, in the mouth.


Cats who grind their teeth might also be feeling pain in their jaw, or there might be a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).


Teeth grinding isn’t always caused by pain associated with the mouth or jaw. A cat might grind their teeth if they feel pain in another part of their body, such as in areas of their digestive tract like the pancreas or stomach. They might even have a neurological condition causing bruxism. Or, they might be feeling stressed or anxious. 


These are just some of the many potential causes. Because there are various things that can lead to your cat grinding their teeth, it’s important to have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian who can determine the culprit and provide the appropriate treatment. 


Can Teeth Grinding in Cats Be Treated?


A veterinarian can examine your cat and perform diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and dental X-rays, to figure out what’s causing the teeth grinding. Based on their findings, they will come up with a treatment plan, whether it means addressing an oral health issue or an underlying disease. 


For example, if a cat’s teeth grinding is caused by tooth resorption or gum disease, a veterinarian who’s skilled in dental procedures and cleanings can help. On the other hand, if it’s determined that your kitty is anxious, you can do things at home to make them feel safe and at ease.


To reduce your cat’s discomfort, your veterinarian might prescribe a pain medication that’s safe for them. Never give your pet over-the-counter pain medications or human pain medications, as these can be toxic to cats. 


Are There Ways to Prevent Bruxism in Cats?


Because oral health concerns are common among cats and can cause bruxism, it’s wise to brush your cat’s teeth at home if they’ll tolerate it—only use toothpaste made for cats, not human toothpaste. And keep an eye out for signs that something is wrong with their mouth, such as difficulty chewing food, so you can address the problem promptly. A veterinarian can also examine your pet’s mouth regularly to see if the teeth and gums are healthy.


Giving your cat treats designed to help clean the teeth, such as Feline Greenies Dental Treats, is another good idea. Available in multiple flavors (chicken, salmon, tuna, shrimp, and catnip), these are vet-recommended and have a crunchy texture that helps reduce tartar and clean teeth while freshening breath. Plus, they are nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cats, and don’t contain any artificial flavors or artificial preservatives. 

You can also keep your cat healthy, happy, and stress-free by enriching their environment, giving them loads of attention and love, feeding them a high-quality diet, and giving them the chance to let out their energy through play with various toys (including chew toys for their teeth).


Bottom line: if your cat is grinding their teeth, have them checked by a veterinarian to figure out the cause of this abnormal behavior that’s typically associated with pain. With the guidance of a vet, you can get your pet the relief they need. 


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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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What Collar is Best for My Dog?

When choosing a collar for our dogs, we often focus on elements like the color, pattern, or preferred material. However, there is much more to consider than just the style and aesthetic. Selecting the best collar is essential for your dog’s safety, comfort, and overall well-being.However, with so many different collar options available, deciding which will best suit your dog and their lifestyle can be overwhelming.This guide will break down the different types of collars, their purpose, and the factors you should consider. From standard nylon collars to tick-prevention products, you’ll find everything you need to make a confident decision when shopping for your dog.Choosing the Right Collar for Your DogSelecting a collar can feel overwhelming. There is so much to consider, from functionality to style. So, let’s start at square one. Here are the most common types of dog collars and the situations they are most often recommended for:Traditional Flat Collar This is the most common type of dog collar you will see. Traditional flat collars get their name because they lay flat against your dog’s neck. They come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and materials, including leather, nylon, cotton, and Biothane, among others. The collars usually feature a D-ring or O-ring to attach a leash or hold your dog’s ID tags and a buckle to make it easy to put the collar on/take it off as needed. Flat collars are the most recommended option for ensuring your dog has basic identification on them on a day-to-day basis. Most dogs wear a flat collar around their yard, in the car, on walks, and in other routine situations. Martingale Collar At first glance, a martingale collar looks similar to a flat collar. However, when you look closer, you’ll see an additional loop on the back of the collar that tightens when the dog pulls. The slight tightening can be used to train a dog not to pull when walking, making it a popular training tool. Martingale collars also help prevent a dog from pulling their head out of the collar and escaping, which is an important consideration for dogs who are a flight risk or those with narrow heads roughly the same circumference as their neck, like sighthounds. They are often used in shelters and rescue organizations for this reason.Head CollarMany will argue that these aren’t just a collar. However, they do include a portion that goes around the neck, and they serve a purpose comparable to other collars on the list, so I feel they deserve to be mentioned. Head collars are best described as a horse halter for dogs. One loop of the collar goes around the neck like usual, while a second loop goes around the snout. The leash attaches just below the snout, allowing the handler to direct the dog by guiding their head. These are a popular choice for dogs who pull. If your dog starts to pull, as they would with another collar type or on a harness, the head collar will cause the head to turn and redirect the dog back toward you. They are also recommended for situations where the handler may not have the physical ability to hold back a pulling dog. Head collars are widely used in the service dog community. Unfortunately, if misused, these collars can cause serious damage. This happens most often if the dog tries to bolt, jerking their head suddenly to the side and injuring the neck. The use of a head collar should be paired with proper training. Tracking Collars and GPS CollarIf you plan on traveling or adventuring with your dog, you may want to consider purchasing a GPS collar. They are also commonly recommended for dogs who are escape artists or flight risks. These collars feature a unit that tracks your pet's location and movement using global positioning satellite technology. This can help locate your dog if they wander off or get lost. There are two main types of GPS collars, such as: Basic Tracking Collars: The most common type, these collars rely on a nearby phone or device or the presence of a cellular network to pick up and transmit the collar’s location. Example: Fi Series 3 Smart Dog CollarHunting or Backcountry Trackers: These collars are a bigger investment due to their advanced tracking technology. They are designed to work in remote areas where basic tracking collars fail to connect. Example: Garmin Astro 430/T 5 Dog Tracking BundleAdditionally, tracking devices like the Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs are separate units that can be attached to any collar, transforming your standard collar into a tracking collar. It should be noted that many tracking collars are not a “one and done” investment. Instead, you will need a monthly subscription for a small fee to keep using their network. For example, the subscription for Tractive devices starts at $5/month. If you cancel this subscription, you can no longer access the collar’s location.Flea/Tick CollarDesigned to help prevent fleas and ticks, these collars contain an anti-parasitic medication that is slowly released into your pet’s skin over time. Like a topical preventative, the active chemical is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. While all collars work by killing fleas and ticks if they bite, others will work to repel the pests from even showing interest. These collars are still a chemical product and should be approached with caution. Some dogs will have adverse reactions. If introducing a flea/tick collar for the first time, monitor your dog carefully for any sign of trouble. LED CollarA growing trend with a focus on nighttime safety, LED collars feature bright LED lights that can be turned on, either as a solid light or with various flashing patterns, to make your dog visible in the dark. They come in one basic size and can then be cut down to fit your dog, making the collar easy to adjust to dogs of any size. Many of these collars are a one-time-use product, needing to be replaced when the included battery dies. However, with a growing interest in sustainability, companies are now selling rechargeable options. Our dogs wear the Nite Ize NiteHowl Max Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace. If you don’t want to deal with a full LED collar or prefer something you can keep safely tucked away in your pocket or purse to pull out when needed, the Nite Ize SpotLit Rechargeable Collar Light is a great option. This little light just clips onto their existing collar or harness.

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There are few tales as heartwarming as the magic of the human-animal bond shared by dogs and their people. This love and loyalty that inspires Arizona-based nonprofit, Soldiers Best Friend, to bring together combat veterans and local homeless dogs for their happily ever after.  The organization was founded by veterinarian John Burnham following the passing of his father in 2007. At this time, he realized he wanted to do something bigger to honor his father while using his personal and professional talents, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since its establishment in 2011, Soldiers Best Friend has remained unwavering in its commitment to its mission of 'touching 2 lives at once'. The organization pairs veterans with combat-related PTSD or traumatic brain injuries with dogs from local shelters. The veteran and dog train together, giving both a second chance at the quality of life they deserve while also allowing them to create the close bond that will strengthen their relationship moving forward. Not only do dogs find a forever home, helping to address the current pet overpopulation problem, but veterans are also provided with a unique and effective source of support free of charge. While John has stated that he will continue his mission until these service dogs are no longer needed, he also acknowledges that the time will likely never come—at least not in his lifetime. To date, Solder’s Best Friend has connected with and served over 400 veterans, an impressive feat. These dogs not only offer the veterans more independence at home, but they also make the greater world feel more accessible. Tiffany Batura, a retired Navy veteran who served for four years, shared her story. After retiring, Batura was faced with the incredible challenge of recovering from PTSD from her service. “I had not very many women on my boat,” she explained. “The military has changed a lot, but at the time, there was a lot of harassment.” When asked about Soldier’s Best Friend and her service dog, a lab named Deadly, she was happy to share how much the dog has made a difference in her life. “So far, I’ve noticed that I am more willing to go out in public. I’m not homebound all the time,” Batura stated. While that may not seem like a lot, it’s a life-changing difference for Batura and others who are faced with PTSD from their military experiences. In fact, according to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 7% of veterans will have PTSD. However, that rate is nearly double among female veterans, reaching a concerning 13%. If you’re interested in helping Solider’s Best Friend in their noble mission, you can show your support in several ways. Those based in Arizona can volunteer to help with various tasks, including administrative duties, building maintenance, fundraising events, and even fostering a dog. For those who live outside of Arizona or who have a busy schedule that prevents them from committing to volunteer work, the organization is an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization. Simply make your donations using QCO code 22497. Alternatively, they also have an Amazon Wish List with many items needed to continue their work. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter  here.

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