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If you\u2019ve ever wondered why your puppy grinds their teeth then we\u2019re here to help. In this article, we\u2019ll help you understand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Why does my puppy grind their teeth?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How can I stop my puppy from grinding their teeth?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Things to watch out for if your puppy grinds their teeth a lot. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m sure you don\u2019t need us to tell you that puppies do all kinds of crazy things, often puppy ownership and pet parenthood doesn\u2019t quite go by the book. So, we\u2019ve created the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>, to help you with every stage of your pup’s development; from the highs of smelling that sweet puppy breath, to yes they did just poop in the middle of the kitchen floor – oops! You can always reach out to our expert puppy coach team<\/a> too. They\u2019re qualified dog trainers and behaviorists and will get you on the right track when you\u2019ve exhausted yourself by listening to every \u2018expert\u2019 you’ve found online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/ramiro-pianarosa-1WtR4QrKJM0-unsplash-678x1024.jpg\")
Photo by Ramiro Pianarosa<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Why does my puppy grind their teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, back to that impression of a dremmel your pup keeps doing. The official name for teeth grinding is bruxism, and your puppy might be doing it for a few different reasons. Here\u2019s a few:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puppies grind their teeth in their sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A puppy who grinds teeth in their sleep is a common sight or sound, often accompanied by some low wuffing, or twitching or chasing after something, it\u2019s the same thing that happens in humans. Often people say \u2018oh look my puppy\u2019s dreaming\u2019 but this kind of twitching is probably related to REM sleep instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puppy teeth grinding might be due to dental pain <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your puppy has a lot going on in their mouth as they go through teething<\/a>, and begin to lose their teeth<\/a>. It might be a normal sign but it’s worth checking to see if they have bleeding gums, or something stuck in their mouth to be sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tummy troubles can cause a puppy to grind their teeth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We know it sounds strange right, but if your puppy has gastrointestinal problems, it can cause them to grind their teeth. Check they\u2019re getting the right amount of food for their age and weight<\/a>, and that they\u2019re eating a complete diet for their age.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teeth grinding happens when puppies are stressed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For some dogs, teeth grinding or teeth chattering can be a displacement behavior brought on by stress. The stress could be moving to a new home, a new family member, or simply another change in their environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overbites or underbites and a puppy who grinds teeth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have a breed of dog who has an overbite or an underbite, then this malocclusion can cause your puppy to grind their teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puppy teeth grinding when your puppy is teething<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your puppy is teething they may be grinding their teeth because the first set is having problems coming out. Some dogs will retain their puppy teeth as the adult set is coming in behind or in front of the first set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Focal seizures and puppy teeth grinding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s rare, but some dogs who grind their teeth may be having a focal seizure. Focal seizures are also known as partial seizures as they only affect one side of the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"White](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/cristina-anne-costello-vYhBeZ_G_xE-unsplash-1024x819.jpg\")
Photo by Cristina Anne Costello<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n How can I stop my puppy grinding their teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To stop your puppy grinding their teeth, it\u2019s important to find out why the behavior is happening and address the cause of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Give your puppy a dental check over<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check your puppy\u2019s teeth and ensure their teeth are clean, if your pup is around 5 months of age they probably have their adult teeth through, so make sure that the first set has been pushed out. What can happen sometimes is the first set of teeth are retained, which can trap debris and be painful for your puppy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An easy way to prevent teeth problems is to make dental checks or teeth brushing <\/a>a regular part of your grooming<\/a> routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure your puppy does not have tummy pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your puppy has runny poo, is grinding their teeth or licking their paws this can be a sign that they\u2019re having tummy troubles. There can be many reasons for this, from the wrong diet and inadequate nutrition<\/a>, allergies or maybe you just have a puppy who eats everything,<\/a> and they\u2019ve eaten the wrong thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep things low stress for your puppy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Too many changes, especially in puppy fear periods can cause a huge amount of stress in your puppy. Don\u2019t overwhelm your puppy with too many new people, sights and experiences. Socialization <\/a>should be about positive experiences and encounters rather than flooding, and too much too soon will show up in your puppy\u2019s body language. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"brown](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/alison-pang-t0qlE1yoPb0-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Alison Pang<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Things to look out for with puppy grinding teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you have a puppy who grinds their teeth a lot then this can eventually wear down the enamel and cause dental problems, which can cause a lot of pain for your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Give your puppy plenty of chews, in case they\u2019re exercising their jaw by grinding their teeth. Puppies need to chew a lot so give them appropriate chews <\/a>to take it out on and don\u2019t let them go to town, grinding their own teeth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t be worried to ask your vet if you notice your puppy grinding their teeth a lot and you\u2019re worried, often a video will help as your puppy is unlikely to grind their teeth at the vets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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