Malocclusion and Bite Problems in Dogs and Cats

Most owners look at their pet's teeth and think about tartar, bad breath, or a broken tooth. Far fewer think about how the teeth fit together. Yet the way the upper and lower jaws meet — the bite, or occlusion — determines whether teeth do their job comfortably or whether they press into tissue that was never meant to take that pressure.

Malocclusion simply means the bite is not aligned in the normal way. Some malocclusions are entirely cosmetic and never cause a problem. Others cause daily discomfort, damage to the palate or gums, or difficulty eating, and they are easy to miss because animals rarely complain. This guide explains what a normal bite looks like, which misalignments matter, how to check at home, and when to involve your veterinarian.

Important: This article shares general educational information for pet owners and is not a substitute for an in-person veterinary examination, diagnosis, or treatment. For any medical concern or emergency, contact your veterinarian promptly.

What a Normal Bite Looks Like

In most dog breeds and in cats, the standard arrangement is described as a scissor bite. The upper incisors sit just in front of the lower incisors, overlapping them slightly like the blades of a pair of scissors. The lower canine tooth fits neatly into the space between the upper third incisor and the upper canine, without touching either.

Behind the canines, the cheek teeth interlock in a zig-zag pattern rather than meeting flat, tip to tip. The upper carnassial tooth passes to the outside of its lower counterpart, giving the shearing action that both species use to cut through food. In a correct bite, no tooth presses into soft tissue at any point.

The most useful concept for owners is atraumatic occlusion. It does not matter greatly whether a bite looks textbook-perfect; what matters is whether any tooth is contacting gum, palate, lip, or another tooth in a way that causes damage. A slightly unusual but atraumatic bite is generally left alone. A conventional-looking bite with one tooth digging into the palate is a genuine problem.

Breed variation is normal

Many breeds are selectively bred for jaw shapes that differ from the ancestral pattern. Short-faced breeds commonly have an undershot jaw as part of the breed standard. That does not automatically mean pain — but it does mean these mouths deserve careful examination rather than assumption, because crowding and rotated teeth are common alongside it.

The Main Categories of Malocclusion

Veterinary dentists group bite abnormalities in a few broad ways. The distinctions matter because they point to different consequences.

• Individual tooth misalignment. The jaws are of normal length and relationship, but one or more teeth sit in the wrong position or angle.
• Overshot bite. The upper jaw is relatively longer than the lower, so the lower jaw sits further back than normal.
• Undershot bite. The lower jaw is relatively longer, so lower teeth sit in front of upper teeth.
• Wry bite. One side of the jaw has grown differently from the other, producing an asymmetrical mouth.
• Base-narrow canines. The lower canine teeth are angled inward and contact the roof of the mouth rather than sitting in their normal space.

Of these, base-narrow lower canines are among the most important for owners to know about, because the tooth tip can press into or penetrate the palate. It is painful, it is frequently missed, and it is often first noticed in young dogs whose owners simply thought the teeth looked a bit close together.

Why It Happens

Bite abnormalities arise from a mix of inherited jaw and tooth characteristics and, less often, from events during development.

• Genetics and breed conformation. The largest single factor. Jaw length and tooth position are strongly heritable.
• Different growth rates of the two jaws. Upper and lower jaws grow somewhat independently, and a temporary mismatch during growth can become permanent.
• Retained baby teeth. A deciduous tooth that does not fall out can deflect the erupting adult tooth into the wrong position.
• Trauma during development. An injury to a growing jaw can affect subsequent growth.
• Crowding in short-faced breeds. The same number of teeth in a shorter jaw leads to rotation and overlap.
• Persistent hard chewing on unsuitable objects. Not a primary cause, but it can worsen wear and damage in an already abnormal bite.

Because inheritance plays such a large role, malocclusion is a legitimate consideration in breeding decisions. Responsible breeders assess bites and take significant abnormalities into account.

Retained Baby Teeth: A Common and Fixable Cause

Puppies and kittens have a full set of deciduous teeth that should be shed as the adult teeth erupt. When a baby tooth does not come out, two teeth briefly occupy a space designed for one.

The consequences are twofold. The adult tooth may be pushed into an abnormal position, creating a malocclusion that persists for life. And the tight gap between the two teeth traps food and debris, which is bad for the gum and the developing adult tooth.

The general veterinary principle is that two teeth of the same type should not be present in the same place at the same time. If you can see a baby canine sitting alongside an emerging adult canine, do not wait and hope. Contact your veterinarian promptly — early removal is a straightforward procedure and can prevent a permanent alignment problem.

This is one of the strongest reasons to look inside your puppy's or kitten's mouth regularly during the teething months. It is a narrow window in which a simple intervention makes a lasting difference.

Signs a Bite Problem Is Causing Discomfort

Dogs and cats are notably stoic about oral pain and will usually keep eating despite significant discomfort. Owners therefore have to watch for indirect signs rather than waiting for an obvious complaint.

• Chewing on one side only. Or dropping food while eating.
• Excessive drooling. Particularly if it is new.
• Pawing at the mouth or face rubbing. On carpets, furniture, or your leg.
• Reluctance to have the head or muzzle touched. A behaviour change that owners often attribute to mood.
• Bad breath that is worse on one side. Localised odour can indicate a specific problem area.
• Blood in the water bowl or on toys. Or pink-tinged saliva.
• Reduced interest in chew toys. A dog that suddenly stops chewing may be in pain.
• Visible sores or dents in the palate or gums. Where a tooth tip is contacting tissue.
• Weight loss or slower eating. In an otherwise well pet, always investigate.

Any of these deserves a veterinary examination. Several serious oral conditions unrelated to bite alignment produce identical signs, so a proper look inside the mouth is essential rather than optional.

Checking Your Pet's Bite at Home

A brief, calm check is something most owners can learn, and it is far more useful when done regularly than as a one-off inspection because something is wrong.

1. Choose a relaxed moment, not straight after play or when your pet is hungry.
2. Gently lift the upper lip on one side and look at how the teeth meet. Do not force the mouth open at this stage.
3. Check whether the lower canine sits in a clear space, or whether its tip is contacting the upper gum or the palate.
4. Look for a baby tooth sitting next to an adult tooth in young animals.
5. Look at the gum line for redness, swelling, or dents, and note any strong odour.
6. Repeat on the other side, then release and reward with praise or a small treat.
7. Keep the whole check short — thirty seconds is plenty — and stop immediately if your pet is uncomfortable.

Never force a mouth examination on a pet that resists, and be cautious with any animal that has shown discomfort — pain and handling are a poor combination. If you cannot look safely, that in itself is a reason to book a veterinary appointment rather than persisting at home.

Cooperative-care training, where a pet is gradually taught to accept handling in exchange for rewards, makes these checks far easier and is worth the investment of a few short sessions.

What Your Veterinarian Will Do

An oral examination in a conscious pet gives a good deal of information but has limits, particularly below the gum line and at the back of the mouth.

Your veterinarian will assess how the jaws relate to each other, identify which specific teeth are misaligned, and look for evidence of trauma — dents in the palate, ulceration, worn or fractured teeth, or gum recession. They will also check whether the problem is causing functional difficulty with eating.

For a full assessment, an examination under general anaesthesia with dental radiographs is usually required. Radiographs reveal root position, root health, unerupted teeth, and bone changes that cannot be seen from the surface. This is not an upsell; it is genuinely the only way to see a substantial part of the tooth.

Depending on the findings, your veterinarian may manage the situation conservatively with monitoring, may recommend removing a problematic tooth, or may refer you to a veterinary dentist. Referral-level options can include selectively shortening and sealing a tooth crown so it no longer contacts tissue, or, in specific cases, orthodontic devices to move a tooth into an atraumatic position. These decisions are individual and depend on the tooth, the age of the animal, and what is causing harm.

An Important Point About Ethics and Purpose

Veterinary orthodontics exists to relieve pain and restore comfortable function, not to improve appearance. Correcting a bite so an animal can be shown, or so its jaw looks more typical of the breed, is not an accepted reason for treatment, and reputable veterinary dentists decline such requests.

This distinction is worth understanding as an owner, because it clarifies the question you should be asking. It is not "can this be straightened?" but "is this causing my animal harm, and if so, what is the least invasive way to stop it?"

In many cases the answer is that nothing needs doing. A slightly unusual bite that causes no trauma is simply how that animal is built.

Day-to-Day Oral Care in a Pet With an Unusual Bite

Misaligned and crowded teeth trap food and are harder to keep clean, so routine home care matters more than average in these mouths.

• Brushing is the most effective home measure. Use a pet-specific toothpaste only, never human toothpaste, and build up gradually over short sessions.
• Focus on the outer surfaces. This is where most accumulation occurs and where a pet will tolerate brushing best.
• Choose chews appropriate to your pet. Very hard items can fracture teeth; ask your veterinarian what is suitable for your individual animal.
• Keep to a regular schedule. Frequent short sessions beat occasional thorough ones.
• Attend recommended dental check-ups. Especially for crowded or short-faced mouths.
• Watch the specific problem areas. If a particular tooth has been flagged, check that spot regularly.

Some owners add a water additive to the daily routine as a supplementary step. MetaPet Nano-Series Dental Care Water Additive is a complementary oral care product designed to help support everyday mouth freshness and clean-looking teeth for cats and dogs, added to fresh drinking water. It is not a medicine, is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and is not a substitute for tooth brushing or for professional veterinary dental care. For any dental concern — a misaligned tooth, a sore mouth, or bad breath — see your veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions

My puppy has an overbite. Will it correct itself?

Bites can change during growth, and some mismatches present at a few months of age look different by the time growth finishes. That is a reason to have it monitored by your veterinarian, not a reason to ignore it — particularly if any tooth is currently contacting soft tissue.

Is an undershot jaw always a problem?

No. In several breeds it is the standard conformation and causes no harm. The question is always whether any tooth is causing trauma, not whether the jaw looks conventional.

Do cats get malocclusions too?

Yes, though the pattern differs. Crowding and misalignment occur particularly in short-faced cat breeds, and retained baby teeth can affect kittens just as they affect puppies.

Can a misaligned tooth be left alone?

If it is atraumatic, often yes, with monitoring. If it is contacting the palate, gum, lip, or another tooth, leaving it usually means ongoing pain and tissue damage.

Will my pet stop eating if its mouth hurts?

Usually not, which is exactly why oral pain goes unnoticed. Most dogs and cats continue to eat through significant discomfort. Do not use appetite as your test.

When should the first dental check happen?

Have the mouth looked at during routine puppy and kitten appointments, and again as the adult teeth come through. That is the window in which retained baby teeth and developing alignment problems are most easily addressed.

The Bottom Line

How a pet's teeth fit together is easy to overlook, and problems announce themselves quietly if at all. The single most useful idea to take away is atraumatic occlusion: an unusual-looking bite that harms nothing is generally fine, while a tooth pressing into soft tissue needs attention regardless of how normal the mouth appears from the outside.

Look inside your puppy's or kitten's mouth regularly during teething, and act quickly if a baby tooth is sitting beside an adult tooth. In adult pets, watch for one-sided chewing, dropped food, drooling, face rubbing, and reluctance to be touched around the muzzle.

When in doubt, ask your veterinarian to examine the mouth. Oral pain is common, easily hidden, and very often treatable — and no home care routine, however diligent, replaces a proper professional look inside.