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When our male dogs behave in ways we don’t understand, it can make a pet parent concerned and worried. One such behavior is when a male dog chomps his teeth. Why does he do this? What’s going on with him?
Has your male dog been chomping his teeth? Are you worried this may indicate there’s something wrong with your dog? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog acts like this.
We’ve put together some information on why a dog chomps his teeth and what you can do to help your dog. Let’s get started!
Why Does My Male Dog Chomp His Teeth?
First, we have to say that a male dog chomping his teeth can be normal canine behavior. However, other times it may indicate that something’s wrong. Here are some of the most common reasons a male dog chomps his teeth:
- Excitement: a male dog may chomp his teeth when he’s excited. He may be happy & excited to see you when you get home from work. Or he may be excited because a female dog nearby is in heat!
- Anxiety or stress: are common reasons a male dog may chomp his teeth. You may notice that your dog seems nervous or anxious. Perhaps he hears thunder in the distance, or he’s in a new environment. These and other issues can cause a dog to feel anxious and stressed.
- Pain: in any part of the body can cause a dog to chomp his teeth. The pain could be caused by dental issues, bone & joint problems, and more.
- Medical conditions: may also cause a dog to chomp his teeth, such as oral health problems, epilepsy, and more.
- Cold: a dog may also chomp his teeth if he’s too cold. In that case, you may also notice that he’s shivering.
How to Help Your Dog
First, consider what may be causing your dog to chomp his teeth:
- Is he having other symptoms?
- Does he cry out when you touch him? (May be an indication of pain)
- What was your dog doing when he started chomping his teeth?
- Does he have any tooth problems?
The answers to these questions may lead you to determine your dog is chomping his teeth for normal reasons. Or they may indicate that your dog may have a health issue and needs to see the vet.
If your fur baby needs to see the vet, it’s best to make an appointment right away. The vet may be able to determine and treat the underlying health issue causing your dog to chomp his teeth.
The main thing is to figure out what’s going on with your dog and try to resolve the issue. If he’s chomping his teeth because he’s happy, there’s nothing else to do or worry about!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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