TL;DR: Teeth grinding in cats is usually a sign of significant oral pain and requires a professional dental exam within 24 to 48 hours. Seek immediate veterinary care if your cat stops eating, drools excessively, or has blood in their saliva.
What does it mean if my cat is grinding its teeth?
Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, is the sound of teeth rubbing together, often manifesting as a clicking, grating, or crunching noise. In cats, this behavior is rarely a habit and is almost always a physiological response to significant discomfort. It most commonly occurs when the cat is trying to manipulate food in their mouth, suggesting that the act of chewing is triggering a pain response.
Is my cat grinding their teeth a veterinary emergency?
- The urgency level for a cat grinding its teeth while eating is Medium.
- While it may not require an immediate trip to an emergency hospital, your cat needs a professional dental exam within 24 to 48 hours.
- Contact a veterinarian as soon as possible if your cat has stopped eating entirely, is drooling excessively, or has blood in their saliva.
How can a photo or video help the vet triage my cat?
- Take a video of the behavior while your cat is eating at home to provide your veterinarian with crucial diagnostic evidence.
- Home footage is vital because cats often stop showing pain or grinding their teeth at the clinic due to adrenaline.
- If safe, take a clear photo of the gums and teeth to help the vet identify visible issues like redness, swelling, or broken teeth before the exam begins.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Oral pain from various etiologies can cause a cat to grind its teeth while eating. Potential causes include feline stomatitis, oral foreign bodies, neoplasms, injuries, mucosal defects, and dental conditions such as tooth resorption. Metabolic disorders like uremia can also contribute. Clinical signs of oral pain include anorexia, halitosis, drooling (possibly blood-tinged), pawing at the mouth, and resentment of oral examination.
Chapter: Dermatology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 362)