Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A cat grinding its teeth is often a sign of pain, most commonly from the mouth or teeth, though illness elsewhere in the body can also be involved. The sound alone can’t tell you which. If the grinding is new or keeps happening, or comes with trouble eating, drooling or pawing at the mouth, book a veterinary exam rather than waiting to see if it passes.
What cat teeth grinding looks and sounds like
Owners usually describe clicking or grating sounds, chattering, or a side-to-side motion of the lower jaw. PetMD’s interview with veterinary dentist Dr. Alexander M. Reiter, whom it identifies as head of dentistry and oral surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, puts it plainly: “It often occurs when a cat is in pain due to an underlying medical issue.”
That makes grinding a reason to investigate. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t point to one specific condition.
Why is my cat grinding its teeth?
Dental or oral pain
PetMD lists tooth resorption, inflammatory gum disease, mouth ulcers, oral cancer and abnormal tooth alignment among the possible causes. VCA Animal Hospitals names gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth resorption as common feline dental diseases. Broken or loose teeth and other oral lesions also need a veterinary look.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute#1 Best Overall
- #1 Veterinarian-Recommended Treat for Cat Dental Care: Feline Greenies Dental Treats for cats are the #1 veterinarian-recommended dental cat snacks that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Crunchy Cat Dental Treat Texture Fights Tartar: Including Greenies cat dental treats into your daily care routine supports 36% less tartar accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Oral Care: This cat dental treat offers clinically proven oral care to help maintain your cat's dental hygiene, and these cat teeth cleaning treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline
- Tasty Cat Treats: You'll surely hear happy purrs of joy as your feline enjoys the delicious taste of a savory salmon-flavored Greenies for cats
- Low Calorie Cat Treat: Less than two calories per cat dental treat, Greenies Cat Treats for indoor cats allow you to treat with confidence
Pain or illness outside the mouth
PetMD also discusses abdominal causes, including gastrointestinal disease and pancreatitis. A caregiver can’t tell from the grinding whether the source is the mouth or somewhere else, which is one more reason to have the cat examined.
A jaw or joint problem
For some causes, including a problem with the temporomandibular joint (the jaw hinge), PetMD notes that imaging such as X-rays or CT may be needed. A clicking sound by itself doesn’t establish a jaw diagnosis.
Rank #2
- #1 Veterinarian-Recommended Treat for Cat Dental Care: Feline Greenies Dental Treats for cats are the #1 veterinarian-recommended dental cat snacks that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Crunchy Cat Dental Treat Texture Fights Tartar: Including Greenies cat dental treats into your daily care routine supports 36% less tartar accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Oral Care: This cat dental treat offers clinically proven oral care to help maintain your cat's dental hygiene, and these cat teeth cleaning treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline
- Tasty Cat Treats: You'll surely hear happy purrs of joy as your feline enjoys the delicious taste of a savory salmon-flavored Greenies for cats
- Low Calorie Cat Treat: Less than two calories per cat dental treat, Greenies Cat Treats for indoor cats allow you to treat with confidence
Why you may not see the problem yourself
Cats tend to hide discomfort, and a glance at the front teeth can miss disease. VCA notes that some dental pain is only found during a veterinary examination. Cornell’s Feline Health Center points out that dental disease can make a cat stop eating, which can lead to further health problems.
When to worry
Contact a veterinarian when a cat grinds, especially if the behavior is new or repeats, or comes with any of these:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- DentaLife Daily Dental Treats for Cats feature a porous texture to reduce tartar buildup
- Dental treats for cats that are scientifically tested to reduce tartar buildup
- Purina DentaLife cat treats made with wholesome natural ingredients with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients and no artificial flavors or colors
- Contain added calcium and taurine, plus added probiotics for cats to support digestive health
- Dental cat treats are packaged in a reclosable pouch and offer a tasty chicken flavor cats love and a crunchy texture that invites her to nibble
- Trouble eating or reduced appetite
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Reluctance to have the face or mouth touched
- Other changes in behavior or routine
VCA’s dental-pain material lists changes in eating and resistance to face or mouth handling among the signs of dental pain. None of these signs identifies the cause, but they make an exam more pressing.
The sources reviewed don’t set a universal deadline for grinding on its own, so how fast to act depends on the cat’s condition and the other signs. As practical advice rather than a sourced rule, call a veterinarian or local emergency service promptly if the cat can’t eat, seems severely unwell, has significant bleeding or facial swelling, or may have suffered an injury or toxin exposure. They can triage your cat’s situation individually.
Rank #4
- Perfect Cat Dental Treats For Daily Care: Feline Greenies Dental Treats for Adult Cats are crafted to support the 4 areas veterinarians check most: plaque, tartar, gums, & breath; and are made with natural ingredients plus vitamins, minerals & nutrients
- #1 Veterinarian-Recommended Treat for Cat Dental Care: Feline Greenies Dental Treats for cats are the #1 veterinarian-recommended dental cat snacks that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Crunchy Cat Dental Treat Texture Fights Tartar: Including Greenies cat dental treats into your daily care routine supports 36% less tartar accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Oral Care: This cat dental treat offers clinically proven oral care to help maintain your cat's dental hygiene, and these cat teeth cleaning treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline
- Tasty Cat Treats: You'll surely hear happy purrs of joy as your feline enjoys the delicious taste of a savory salmon-flavored Greenies for cats
What to do in the meantime
- Don’t force the mouth open. A painful cat may bite, and handling can make the pain worse.
- Don’t try home treatment. Human pain medicines and other remedies can be dangerous for cats and may hide signs the vet needs to see.
- Record a short video of the sound or jaw movement if you can do it without delaying care. It can help a vet understand a behavior that doesn’t happen during the appointment. This is practical advice, not a diagnostic test.
- Note when it happens: during meals, at rest, or after eating, along with any other changes you’ve seen.
What a veterinary visit may involve
The vet will examine the mouth, teeth and jaw and ask when the grinding occurs, whether it happens while eating, and what else you’ve noticed. Depending on the findings, PetMD describes a workup that can include imaging, laboratory tests for causes outside the mouth and, in some cases, a tissue biopsy.
Treatment follows the cause. VCA states that effective treatment of dental pain addresses the underlying dental disease, and that painful advanced periodontal disease or tooth resorption may require extraction. Cornell likewise says treatment options depend on the severity and cause of the disease. No single cleaning, diet, supplement or painkiller suits every grinding cat.
Best Value
- #1 Veterinarian-Recommended Treat for Cat Dental Care: Feline Greenies Dental Treats for cats are the #1 veterinarian-recommended dental cat snacks that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Crunchy Cat Dental Treat Texture Fights Tartar: Including Greenies cat dental treats into your daily care routine supports 36% less tartar accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Oral Care: This cat dental treat offers clinically proven oral care to help maintain your cat's dental hygiene, and these cat teeth cleaning treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline
- Tasty Cat Treats: You'll surely hear happy purrs of joy as your feline enjoys the delicious taste of a savory salmon-flavored Greenies for cats
- Low Calorie Cat Treat: Less than two calories per cat dental treat, Greenies Cat Treats for indoor cats allow you to treat with confidence
Routine dental care is separate from this symptom
Preventive care matters, but it is a different job from treating a cat that is grinding now. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) keeps a list of products for cats that meet its standards for plaque or tartar control. Its list, last updated February 2026, includes a toothpaste-and-brush kit, dental diets, water additives, gels, sprays, wipes and treats. VOHC describes its role as reviewing submitted data against those plaque and tartar standards.
That acceptance says nothing about diagnosing or treating grinding, tooth resorption, ulcers or existing mouth pain. A cat toothbrush and toothpaste kit is a reasonable part of routine prevention for a healthy mouth, but if you suspect pain, have the cat examined first and ask the vet whether brushing or handling the mouth is appropriate.
What isn’t known
None of the sources reviewed gives a figure for how often cats grind their teeth, so no prevalence number is offered here. They describe causes and care, not population estimates.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
