TL;DR: Teeth grinding in cats is frequently a sign of nausea or dental pain and should be evaluated by a veterinarian within 24 to 48 hours. Seek immediate emergency care if the behavior is accompanied by severe symptoms like persistent vomiting, a distended abdomen, or extreme lethargy.
What causes feline teeth grinding and what does it sound like?
Teeth grinding in cats, clinically known as bruxism, is often characterized by a rhythmic clicking, crunching, or grating sound. While it can sometimes be a sign of dental issues, it is frequently a physiological response to nausea. When a cat feels sick to their stomach, they may produce excess saliva or experience gastrointestinal discomfort that causes them to shift their jaw involuntarily, leading to this sound.
Is my cat grinding their teeth a medical emergency?
- The urgency level for teeth grinding related to nausea is classified as Medium, indicating your cat is in significant discomfort or pain.
- You should aim to have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian within 24 to 48 hours.
- Seek emergency care immediately if the grinding is accompanied by persistent vomiting, a completely distended abdomen, or extreme lethargy.
How can a photo or video help my veterinarian diagnose the teeth grinding?
- A video allows the vet to hear the specific sound and observe the jaw movement in a relaxed home environment where the cat is less likely to hide symptoms.
- Photos of any vomit or unusual bowel movements help the medical team narrow down whether the nausea is caused by a dietary indiscretion or a hairball.
- Images of the cat's posture can help identify more serious systemic issues or specific areas of abdominal pain.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Cats are known for their tendency to vomit, particularly when attempting to dislodge hairballs. Vomiting in cats can result from dietary indiscretion, parasitic infection, bacterial or viral gastroenteritis, anxiety, or motion sickness. Careful monitoring for persistent vomiting, depression, abdominal discomfort, and/or fever is critical and reevaluation is warranted if vomiting persists. Abdominal palpation should be performed to assess for a foreign body or abdominal discomfort, and careful examination of the oral cavity is important to look for evidence of yarn, thread, or needles. Abdominal radiographs should be performed to look for radiopaque foreign objects or signs of intestinal distention, indicating possible obstruction. Chronic vomiting may indicate underlying thyroid, liver, or kidney dysfunction and should be investigated.
Chapter: Gastroenterology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 390)