Hi Shandell,

Thanks for your question.

It would be inappropriate for me to speculate as to what could be the cause of this clinical sign you describe. However, I can give you a list of ‘rule outs’ that could apply here and then I would encourage you to visit your veterinarian so that they can perform a proper physical examination and appropriate diagnostics to confirm the cause.

Causes for dropping food out of the mouth and possibly to one side consistently are:

• Dental disease is a common cause. The pain of nerve exposure or a resorptive lesion (cavity) can lead a cat to avoid chewing on the affected side.
• A head tilt is present.
  • A neurological disease causing a head tilt could exist
  • Infection with toxoplasmosis could be present
  • A brain lesion or mass
  • Inner ear infection or damage
• An oral mass that occupies space on one side of the mouth that is necessitating chewing on the other side
• A traumatic lesion on one side of the mouth causing pain and avoidance of chewing on that side
• The previous extraction or loss of teeth leaving an opening for food to drop out

These are possibilities that I would recommend you work with your veterinarian to evaluate.

I hope this helps,

Dr. Clayton Greenway