My Cat Keeps Gagging - Causes & Treatment

Gagging is an action which is a result of a reflex motion, meaning it is not usually a voluntary action. When muscles contract at the back of the cat's throat, they gag as a reaction. Known as the pharyngeal reflex or gag reflex, it helps prevent choking in cats since the reflex can expel objects which might otherwise be stuck in their esophagus. We can see this when a cat eats too fast as the reflex acts when too much food is trying to pass the back of the throat.

Although retching might prevent objects going down the back of the throat (pharynx), it can also cause them to be expelled outward. This often occurs when the respiratory system is in jeopardy. If food or other objects are likely to go into the respiratory system, the gag reflex may be triggered and the objects expelled.

While the gag reflex usually enacts because of stimulation of the nerves in the pharynx area, it may also happen when nothing appears to be there. This can be the case if the cat is sick as bacterial proliferation might trigger the gag reflex. For more information on why a cat keeps gagging, which show you the common cause below.

When a cat has dietary issues, it can be due to both how the cat eats and what they eat. When a cat eats too fast, they ingest food at a rate their body cannot tolerate. This is often why we see a cat vomit after they eat. However, it might not produce actual vomiting, but instead the cat will gag for a certain time until the food goes down and settles.

The reason cats may eat too fast is often due to stress. They may feel insecure about the food they receive, so they eat fast without chewing in case the food is taken away from them. This can happen if we feed them irregularly or miss meals altogether.

The type of food they eat can also promote retching. If the cat has trouble swallowing, but we give them food with large pieces, they may be unable to break them down properly. Dental problems can exacerbate this situation if it causes problems with chewing. Often we can remedy this problem by providing kibble with smaller-sized pieces or even changing to wet food.

Cats are notoriously curious animals. Since they don't have the same dexterity in their paws as humans have in their hands, they use their mouth more to interact with their environment. They can chew or ingest certain objects which can lead to gagging. When they break something down by chewing, remnant pieces can also trigger the gag reflex, it doesn't necessarily mean they have something blocking their throat completely.

If the object is stuck at the back of the throat, the cat will use retching to try to remove it. We may see they have drool coming out of their mouth since mucus is brought up to lubricate the area. When the gagging doesn't work, it can be very dangerous for the cat. We should take them to a veterinarian immediately so they can safely detect the object and some it without damaging any surrounding tissues.

Hairballs, scientifically known as trichobezoars, are caused by the accumulation of hair in the cat's gastrointestinal tract. When a cat licks themselves for grooming purposes, the rough papillae of their tongue collects dead hair similar to a hairbrush. Since they are using their mouth, it is common for this hair to collect and enter their digestive system.

Although the hair should be in small amounts, it is possible for them to collect along with other digestive material. The result is a hairball which can be of varying size. Longhaired cats are more commonly affect by hairballs as they have more hair to ingest.

Hairballs cause a cat to gag and retch as they try to bring them up through their mouth. This can be a frustrating process for the cat, but it is fairly common and doesn't usually require treatment. We can aid this process by giving the cat malt paste, a special paste used to lubricate their passageways and promote the expulsion of hairballs in cats.

When a cat has an allergic reaction, it can result in various symptoms. These can range from mild skin irritation to going into anaphylactic shock. An allergy can cause gagging because the allergen produces swelling in the throat region. Although no foreign objects are present, the inflammation triggers the gag reflex and they start retching, even if there is nothing to bring up.

In severe cases, the cat allergy can close of their respiratory tract and provide them with serious breathing difficulties. The type of allergen can be almost anything which results in a reaction in the cat. Food is a common allergen for some cats, but cleaning products, flowers and even something as innocuous as dust can cause a reaction if the cat is susceptible.

When a cat ingests something toxic, they will have various symptoms. Poison will cause the body to start shutting down and reacting inappropriately. The gag reflex is commonly triggered, but it may also seem like the cat is choking. It is vital we take the cat to a veterinarian as acute intoxication can be fatal for the cat.

Take look at our guide to first aid for poisoning in cats to know more about what to do.

If your cat keeps gagging in fits over a period of time, it likely means they are suffering a chronic problem. This could be related to inappropriate diet as mention above, but it may also be due to an underlying pathology.

Certain diseases, even if they are not ostensibly connected to the pharynx, can result in the cat retching repeatedly. The following diseases are link to cat gagging as a symptom:

• Heart disease: various symptoms can occur when a cat has heart disease, including lethargy, swelling, weakness and gagging. The problem can be genetic or lifestyle based. It is important to take the cat to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
• Kidney disease: malfunction of the kidneys means the rest of the cat's organism is affecting. It can affect the cat's central nervous system and cause inappropriate signals to be sent, some of which can lead to gagging.
• Liver disease: similar cause to kidney disease in cats.
• Hyperthyroidism: when a cat's thyroid overacts, it can lead to persistent gagging as a symptom. Again, veterinary diagnosis and symptom management will be required.
• Infections: if a cat has a viral, bacterial or fungal infection which affects the back of their throat, it is common for the gag reflex to be triggering. Treatment will depend on the type of infection present.

While there are some unforeseen reasons a cat keeps gagging, there are some general preventive methods we can employ. They include:

• Provide suitable diet: if the cat'd diet is inappropriate for their eating habits or physical issues, then we will need to adapt it to them. This is also required if the cat has kidney and/or liver disease since an amended diet can help promote proper organ function.
• Remove choking hazards: do not leave objects or materials on which the cat is likely to choke, especially if it is something which seems appetizing to them.
• Remove toxic products: similar to choking hazards, do not allow the cat access to agents which can poison them. This includes plants which are toxic to cats, even if they are harmless to us.
• Checkups: take the cat for annual or biannual veterinary checkups to troubleshoot any problems. This is particularly important for senior cats who are more prone to disease.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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