Dog Making Chewing Noises : 7 Menacing Dog Habits

Sometimes, you may observe that your dog is making chewing noises. The chewing noises may be so subtle that you only notice them by chance. But there are also cases where the chewing noises may be so intense that they even keep you from sleeping.

Either way, you are likely to be left with questions like why the dog is making the chewing noises, whether it is something to worry about, and what to do about it.

Why is my dog making chewing noises? Well, it could be due to anxiety or stress: in which case the dog is making the chewing noises to soothe himself. It could also be due to digestive problems. Further, it could be a sign of something stuck in the dog’s mouth, or a sign of dental problems.

The chewing noises could also show that the dog is dehydrated. Or that the dog has problems with his salivary glands. More ominously, it could be a sign of neurological problems.

Read on, for answers to all those questions.

Why Does My Dog Make Chewing Noises?

There are many possible reasons for your dog making chewing noises. If, for instance, you have recently moved to a new place, or there have been changes in the family (with introduction of new members), the whole thing could stress the dog up. So you find the dog constantly smacking mouth (from time to time) as a calming signal/to soothe himself.

Another possible reason for your dog making chewing noises is a digestive problem. If the dog has a digestive problem, and is just about to throw up, the body responds by producing more saliva in order to protect internal organs from the stomach acid that will be coming up.

To keep this excess saliva in the mouth, you find the dog making gulping noises. But on your part, you perceive those weird dog noises as being ‘chewing noises’.

If the dog is very cold, his teeth may chatter. You may misinterpret that as a case of the dog making chewing noises.

Further, if something is stuck in the dog’s mouth, you may find the dog opening and closing jaw frantically in a bid to get it out. In the process, you find the dog smacking mouth, and making chewing noises.

On another note, the dog may be having a dental problem. For instance, the dog may be having a decayed tooth. Then when the dog tries to palpate the tooth with his tongue, he ends up making a chewing noise.

Neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, meningitis or distemper can also lead to fits of dog making weird noise with mouth.

The dog may also simply develop a habit of making chewing noises – especially if he comes to associate it with some sort of reward.

Dog Making Chewing Noises While Sleeping – Why?

Your dog making a chewing noise while sleeping could be part of a self-soothing ritual. It could also be a sign of a problem with the dog’s salivary glands (e.g. in a sialocele). Then again, if the sleep-time chewing noise is something that is only happening now (and has never happened before), it could simply be a dream.

Another possible reason for the dog slurping noise could be dehydration. In this case, it will specifically be a case of dog dry mouth smacking (for instance, to wet the gums).

A dog may also make chewing noises while sleeping due to neurological problems, such as distemper.

To understand the reason behind the noises, it may be ideal to first identify the type of noises you are hearing from the dog. Is it a case of the dog smacking tongue on mouth roof (which gives rise to a chewing noise)? Or is it a case of dog making crunching noise with mouth while sleeping?

For instance, figuring out the exact reason for your dog making clicking noise with mouth when sleeping will typically require a mouth/throat examination. You want to be sure that there is nothing wrong with the dog’s salivary glands, teeth and gums. If you don’t know what to look for, it is better to just take the dog to a vet.

Ultimately, the reason for dog making chewing noises while sleeping may be something as benign as it being a self-soothing ritual. But it may also be something as serious as a sign of a serious neurological condition, such as distemper or epilepsy. If, for instance, dog making clicking sound with mouth while sleeping becomes a daily occurrence, it may warrant a vet appointment.

Why Does My Dog Keep Making Chewing Noises All Day?

In this case, the first possibility to consider may be that of there being something stuck in the dog’s mouth. This is particularly likely to be the case if you also notice the dog making weird mouth movements. It may also be the case if you see the dog acting like something in mouth. So if the dog is making chewing noises all day, and further the dog keeps acting like something stuck in mouth, this would be the most probable reason.

Another possible reason for dog making chewing noises all day is that of there being something wrong with his salivary glands.

There is also the possibility of a severe dental problem being the reason for your dog constantly opening and closing mouth – making chewing noises in the process.

Severe dehydration is yet another thing that can make the dog produce chewing noises all day. This is especially likely to be the case if the dog’s mouth sounds dry. It is definitely one of the areas I would look into, if my dog keeps making a chewing motion, probably in a bid to wet the gums.

In the final analysis, a dog making some chewing noises once in a while may be quite normal. But if you have a situation where your dog makes chewing noises all day, it is definitely cause for concern. It may be better to have a vet review this type of dog. There may be something seriously wrong with him.

Why Is My Dog Making Noises With His Mouth?

A good place to start will be by identifying the type of noises the dog is making. For instance, a case where a dog makes lip smacking noises would be quite different from another one where the dog makes weird growling noise. The age of the dog may also be a relevant consideration. If my old dog is making weird noises with his mouth, I would treat it different from a case where my puppy makes weird noises (or a case of puppy making grunting noises).

Ultimately, the dog may be making noises with his mouth because he is dehydrated. Or it could be because he has something stuck in the mouth (or between the teeth). Further, it could be because of a decayed tooth. It could also be because the dog is under stress, and is making the noises to sooth himself.

There are many possible reasons for your dog making noises with his mouth. These are also mostly the reasons for why do dogs move their mouth like they are talking.

In most cases, you have to look at other signs accompanying the noises, to figure out the reason behind them. This is also where the dog’s age may come into play. For instance, a puppy may make chewing noises due to teething challenges. But if you have an old dog making noises, teething obviously can’t be a possible reason.

If the dog is making noises with his mouth and also chewing on grass, it means that he has a digestive problem, and wants to throw up.

If the dog is making noises with his mouth while also pawing its throat, it may mean something is stuck in his mouth… So the accompanying signs will give you hints on exactly why the dog is making the noises.

Why Is My Dog All Of A Sudden Chewing?

There are several possible reasons for your dog making chomping sound (chewing sound) suddenly. Something may have gotten stuck in between his teeth, or further in his mouth. He could be having a digestive problem. He could also be just cold, hence chattering mouth, which sounds like chewing.

Or he may be having a problem in his salivary glands. Further, the dog may be developing neurological problems. Or he may be under stress, and chewing to soothe himself.

If the dog is only chewing once in a while, and seems to be alright, it shouldn’t be cause for too much worry. But if the chewing is turning into a preoccupation for the dog, then it is worrisome. It may be better for you to book a vet appointment for him.

Why Is My Dog Making Weird Noises?

Is your dog making chewing noises alone or other weird noises too? It depends on the type of ‘weird noises’ the dog is making. Dogs make the weirdest sounds using their mouths, for a wide variety of reasons. The most important thing is for you to rule out the possibility of the weird noises for dogs being on account of serious issues.

So you rule out the possibility of the weird noise being due to something stuck in the dog’s mouth. You also rule out the possibility of the noise being due to a swollen salivary gland (sialocele).

Other things to rule out are the possibility of the weird noise being due to dehydration or digestive problems. Go further, and rule out the possibility of the weird noise being due to a neurological problem that is setting in. Only then may you attribute the whole thing to ‘a dog being a dog’.

Why Is My Dog Making Crunching Noise With His Mouth?

A crunching noise is likely attributable to teeth grinding. This may be a result of teeth pain. Or it may be due to jaw problems. Further, it may be due to stress. There are also cases where the crunching noise is simply due to cold (which makes the dog’s teeth chatter).

In figuring out why does my dog keep making noises with his mouth, the most important thing is to identify the type of noises. If they are crunching noises as in this case, the possibilities would be due to teeth pain, jaw problems, stress or cold.

These are also the possibilities to look into, if your dog keeps making chewing motion, or where you have dog chewing nothing in mouth.

Why Is My Dog Making Chomping Noises?

The reason for your dog making chomping noise could be anything from stress to a neurological condition. In between are possibilities like something stuck in the dog’s mouth, dehydration, salivary gland problems and dental problems.

If a dog keeps opening and closing mouth, it is likely to result in a chomping sound. And if dog keeps opening closing mouth, there is probably something that is causing him distress. This is where possibilities like of those there being something stuck in his mouth, dental problems, salivary gland problems and so on come into consideration.

How To Stop When Dog Keeps Making Chewing Noises?

The first step is to identify the reason for the dog making chewing noises. Then put in place measures to solve the problem. For instance, if it is due to something stuck in the dog’s mouth, get it removed. If it is due to something like a sialocele, have it drained (by a vet).

If it is due to stress, identify the reasons behind it, and resolve them. Where it is due to dental problems, get proper treatment for the dog.

Should it turn out that my dog is chewing with nothing in his mouth because of dehydration, the focus would be in ensuring proper hydration. Where it is just a learned habit, get the dog to ‘unlearn’ it through the use of rewards/training.

Final Verdict – Dog Making Chewing Noises

There is a wide range of possible reasons for dog making chewing noises. Some are benign: like where a dog makes chewing noises in a bid to soothe himself. Others are rather serious – like where a dog makes chewing noises due to a neurological problem that is taking root.

The most important thing is to figure out exactly why your dog is making chewing noises. Then try to solve the underlying problem. If it persists, consider taking the dog to a vet for checkup.

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️