Question

Sometimes, when he’s eating quickly, my cat will gag. Is this dangerous?

Answer

It’s not uncommon for cats to eat too fast and for the food to irritate their throats, causing them to gag. This is partly because cat food isn’t the same as the diet of wild cats. Cats are naturally predators and carnivores, their teeth are designed to cut and tear meat, not necessarily to break down pellet-shaped cat food. This means that they’ll sometimes swallow their food whole instead of chewing it. To help prevent the problem, you could try slowing down your cat’s eating by spreading his food out, on a cookie sheet or a large plate, for example, instead of in a bowl.

It’s possible, however, that your cat’s gagging is a sign of a more serious problem. There are some disorders that can affect the muscles of cats’ throats, making it harder for them to swallow correctly. These disorders aren’t common, but if your cat is gagging or vomiting frequently you should definitely bring him to the veterinarian for a checkup.