Why Do Female Dogs Chatter Their Teeth?

Have you ever noticed your female dog chattering her teeth? If so, you may wonder what’s going on and what’s causing her to chatter her teeth. It’s even possible you may have heard your dog’s teeth clicking together as she chattered. What’s going on?

We’ve put together some information about why a female dog may chatter her teeth and if this is something to be concerned about. Let’s get started!

Why Does Your Female Dog Chatter Her Teeth?

1. Your Dog May Be Too Cold

A female (or male) dog may chatter their teeth if they’re too old. Your dog’s body temperature may have fallen to the point she is shivering and chattering her teeth. These actions help the dog’s body to warm up.

When a dog begins to shiver, the muscles in her body begin to shiver, including her neck and jaw muscles. When the muscles move fast, they produce more heat and can make your dog chatter her teeth.

2. Excitement or Happiness

Your female dog may chatter her teeth because she’s excited or happy! This is a common behavior in dogs. A dog may chatter their teeth if they see their favorite food, their favorite toy, or they’re happy to see you or another person! This is a completely normal canine behavior and nothing to worry about.

3. Smelling Scents

A female dog may also start to chatter her teeth if she smells scents. There’s an entire system devoted to a dog’s ability to smell; it’s called the vomeronasal system. The vomeronasal system also includes the vomeronasal organ, located in the dog’s nasal bones, which has a duct to the roof of the dog’s mouth.

When your dog smells something exciting, they may move their jaw and mouth in some pretty unique ways. This is done to help the vomeronasal system access and process the scent. In that case, this may cause your female dog’s teeth to chatter!

4. Fear, Anxiety, Stress

Fear, anxiety, and stress may also cause a female dog to chatter her teeth. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety, fear (of an intruder or thunder, for instance), and more may chatter their teeth.

Summing It Up

A female dog chattering her teeth could be normal canine behavior. However, if your dog shows strong signs of fear, anxiety, discomfort, and pain, it’s best to call the vet. Your fur baby may be suffering from an underlying health issue such as tooth decay and more.