My 6.5 year old Mini Rex, Benny, has been through a lot the past month. First he had stasis, then it was discovered he had bladder sludge, then he had to have surgery to remove the sludge. He got his staples out last week, and seems to be doing well. He’s been stretching a lot, and sometimes will press his lower abdomen to the floor (which I’ve read is a symptom of gas so I’ve been giving him some simethicone). I’m pretty sure the stretching is from itchiness related to healing from surgery. A couple days ago he peed once outside of his litter box which he is usually very good about. He hasn’t done it since, but today there are about 20 poops outside of it. This isn’t super uncommon and sometimes he’ll kick some out when he hops out, I’m just super paranoid about everything he’s been doing. The past few days he has been a little less active than he had been once he was feeling better. I’m not sure if something’s wrong, or if the initial happiness from no longer being in pain has just worn off. He’s still running up to greet me when I come in the room, follows me around, digs towels and my pants if I’m ignoring him, and he’s doing some binkies. However, every once in a while he’ll grind his teeth. It’s usually after he grooms himself and he’ll kind of hunker down for a nap. He also does is during what I assume is REM sleep: he’ll nod off, cheeks will twitch, grind his teeth, and start to lean over until he wakes himself up. It’s pretty funny actually, I’ve never seen him do it before. Sometimes though I can’t quite tell if he’s hunched over and grinding his teeth in pain, or if he’s hunched over sleeping and grinding his teeth because he’s content. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter but I’m so paranoid and worried since all of this has gone on. I know the best thing to do would be to take him to the vet, but money is tight right now, and I’ve already got a very large vet bill to pay off. Is there any way to know for sure if he’s grinding his teeth in pain or if it’s because he’s happy?