TL;DR: Chewing on one side is a sign of localized oral pain that requires a non-emergency veterinary exam within 24 to 48 hours.
Why is my cat only chewing on one side of their mouth?
When a cat begins chewing tentatively or exclusively on one side of their mouth, it is usually a sign of localized oral discomfort. This behavior suggests that the act of chewing is causing pain in a specific area of the teeth, gums, or jaw. Common causes include:
- Dental resorptive lesions (where the body breaks down the tooth)
- Fractured teeth
- Advanced gingivitis
- Foreign objects like a splinter or piece of grass stuck in the gum line
Is chewing on one side of the mouth a veterinary emergency for my cat?
The urgency level for this symptom is generally Low. If your cat is still eating, staying hydrated, and acting like their normal self, you can follow these steps:
- Do not rush to an emergency clinic tonight.
- Monitor the area, as dental pain can lead to serious infections or weight loss if left untreated.
- Schedule a non-emergency appointment with your veterinarian within the next 24 to 48 hours to address the underlying cause.
How can taking a photo help triage my cat's dental pain?
Taking a clear, well-lit photo of the inside of your cat's mouth can be extremely beneficial for triage. Providing these photos to a veterinary professional helps them determine the best course of action by:
- Allowing you to gently lift the lip to reveal redness, swelling, or broken enamel.
- Showing exactly what is happening in the specific area where the cat is chewing tentatively.
- Helping the vet decide if the issue requires a standard cleaning or a more complex dental procedure.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Unilateral chewing in cats can be attributed to dental disease, oral foreign bodies, neoplasms, injuries, or other mucosal defects. Infectious diseases such as rabies, nervous system disorders, motion sickness, reluctance to swallow due to esophageal or gastrointestinal issues, sublingual lesions, tonsillitis, administration of medication, conformational defects, metabolic disorders like hepatic encephalopathy or uremia, and salivary gland abscesses should also be considered. A thorough oral examination, potentially under anesthesia, is crucial to identify intraoral lesions. Radiography or CT scans can aid in assessing tooth position and root overgrowth. The possibility of rabies should be eliminated before any oral examination.
Chapter: Dentistry
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 2008)