4 year old cat is grinding teeth! What do I do!?

My grey American Shorthair, who is a male, has been grinding his teeth for 2 years now. It's starting to concern me very much! Should I start brushing his teeth? Does he want attention? Is it stress. He grinds his teeth, or he grinds his teeth by chewing on my curtains. Usually pieces of food are left on the curtains. Does this sound familiar. I've taken him to the vet and they don't see anything wrong. I've asked them twice. I need someone with experience, or a vet, to help me answer this question. What should I do?

4 year old cat is grinding teeth! What do I do!?
Hi there...I wonder if your cat is motioning more of a salivating grinding. The chewing on the curtains is common with cats who have PICA.





Here's a video of a cat grinding their teeth in the first part of the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YcZEtKb-tGI





More about PICA: Medically scientists have determined that cats who suck, lick, chew non-edible items suffer from a condition called PICA. This is common among kittens who were weaned early and seen in many Asian breed of cats as well. Here's an article about PICA by University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine on what is PICA and how to treat it: http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/fel...





Pica: The Un-finicky Feline


Chewing or eating cords, fabric, houseplants, etc.





What is Pica?


Pica is the act of eating non-food items. In less serious cases, cats may chew or suck on objects, but not actually swallow them. Common targets include yarn or string, fabric, wool, phone or electric cords, and plants. Any object may be a potential target, however.





Why is Pica Dangerous?


Other than its destructive potential, pica can be extremely hazardous to your cat's health if non-food items are consumed. Ingested fabric, string, or other materials can lodge in your cat's stomach or intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of food and may cut off the blood supply to these organs. Both are life-threatening conditions. Cat's that chew on power cords may be electrocuted. Additionally, many common houseplants are toxic to cats; chewing or eating these plants can cause a wide range of symptoms from drooling to death. If your cat has a history of ingesting non-food items and becomes lethargic, vomits, or displays other concerning behavior, take them to your veterinarian immediately.





Why Does My Cat Eat/Chew on Non-food Items?


No one knows exactly why some cats exhibit pica behavior. Because pica has been associated with a variety of diseases including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, a veterinarian should examine any cat with pica. A genetic component is also suspected since wool or fabric sucking/chewing is more commonly found in Oriental breeds such as Siamese cats. Although it is normal for cats to eat small amounts of grass, consumption of large amounts of plant material may be an indication of a dietary deficiency or illness. Once medical causes are ruled out, behavioral reasons for pica can include boredom, attention-seeking, attractive odors, hunger, and learned behavior.





Treatment:





To rule out medical causes, a veterinarian should examine all cats displaying pica. Once your veterinarian gives your cat a clean bill of health, discuss with them what steps you can take to modify your cat's behavior. These may include the following:








1) Remove targeted items - Placing clothing, blankets, houseplants and electric cords out of the reach of your cat is often the easiest solution. Storage containers, electric cord guards, and other useful items are available at most home supply stores.





2) Provide alternative items to chew or eat - Food-dispensing toys, durable cat toys, or pieces of rawhide can be used to redirect your cat's chewing behavior to more appropriate and safe items (see handout). For cats attracted to houseplants, small flowerpots of grass or catnip can be planted and kept indoors. Birdfeed can be used as a safe source of plant seed.





3) Provide lots of structured play - Many cats chew on household items out of boredom. Provide interactive toys and set aside time each day to play with your cat.





4) Increase dietary fiber - It may help to increase the amount of fiber in your cat's diet. Besides providing more dietary fiber, high fiber foods usually contain fewer calories. Your cat may be able to satisfy their craving to eat more while still maintaining their weight. Consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat's diet.





5) Make targeted items aversive - Occasionally, applying aversive substances (e.g. hot sauce, Bitter Apple®, Bandguard®) to an item may deter a cat from chewing it. If this is not possible, spraying strong smelling substances (e.g. citrus air freshener, potpourri) or using physical deterrents (e.g. upside down carpet runner, Ssscat®, Snappy Trainers®) around an object may prevent cats from approaching.





6) Consult with a veterinary behaviorist - If your cat continues to ingest non-food items, referral to a veterinary behaviorist is recommended. Further environmental and behavior modification plans, specifically tailored to your pet, may be needed. In some cases, medication may be helpful.
Reply:You need to consult a more experienced vet, perhaps one that is board-certified in dentistry. Grinding of the teeth is no more healthy for felines than it is for people. Yes, it puts stress on the jaw, on the teeth, and will eventually wear his teeth down. See a more experienced vet.
Reply:When cats grind their teeth, it is often a sign of nausea. My FIV+ cat used to grind her teeth (she was on meds that made her nauseous). And my cat that has IBD will sometimes grind his teeth. Ask your vet if your cat could have IBD or another health issue making him nauseous. Changing to a novel protein diet (rabbit or venison) will usually help a cat with IBD, as will switching to a grain-free diet.





Chewing on curtains, or eating non-food items is a condition called PICA. (My Siamese was a PICA cat.) If he has swallowed something that he shouldn't have, he could possibly be nauseous from that.





An x-ray or ultrasound can help identify what might be the problem. With IBD, a thickening of the intestinal wall is often seen.