Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat is gagging and can't throw up. Is something stuck in his throat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Himalayan | Male | neutered | 9 years and 7 months old | 8 lbs

My cat wants to throw something up but he’s having a hard time. He licked some coconut oil I gave him but that hasn’t helped bring it up. He ingested something when he was outside today. Sometimes he eats twigs and bugs. I’ve seen him eat a spider. I saw him chasing bees before so I hope that’s not what he ate. He has a really strained meow which sounds like there’s something stuck in his throat. He’s looking at me and meowing like he wants something out. Is there something else I can give him?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on September 7th, 2019

If you are concerned there may be something stuck, I would recommend that you have Cheeky evaluated by a vet immediately. Sometimes they can eat a piece of string or fabric that gets caught around the base of the tongue. Other times, these types of symptoms can be caused by coughing/respiratory disease or nausea. A thorough exam with a vet should be able to clue you in to what could be going on with Cheeky.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 29th, 2019
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The gagging could indicate that there is something stuck in the back of the throat or in the esophagus. I would recommend having Tinky examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. They may need to sedate Tinky to get a good oral examination and check the back of the mouth. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Veterinarian
Published on April 10th, 2019
Oh no poor Buttons! As young cats can sometimes be naughty and eat things they shouldn't i would recommed seeing your vet soon. He could have swallowed something or have some inflammation/irritation. Occasionally young cats can also develop polyps that could also cause symptoms like this. The best plan is to have him seen. A sedated oral exam and xrays of his neck and chest will likely be recommended. It is especially important to look under the tongue. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My cat is gagging, puking white phlegm, and having trouble swallowing.

AT her age there may be an infection or mild obstruction causing the problem. If there is no improvement, then she may need to be sedated to get xrays on her neck and throat and a good exam down her throat to check for anything abnormal. If there was something irritating it at one point, then this will be evident and they can adjust medicine to help get her better.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why can't my cat swallow? Is something stuck in his esophagus?

If he really does have something stuck in his esophagus it can be very dangerous and can damage the esophagus. I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. They will likely recommend an x-ray to see where/ what it is to be able to help make a plan. Often anesthesia is needed to try to either retrieve the object, or sometimes push it down into the stomach if that seems safer. Best of luck and I hope Mousey improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat coughs like something's stuck, but seems fine. What's wrong?

Coughing and gagging, especially when asleep, is a concerning sign. It may be that something is stuck in Hailey's throat. Other possible causes can include respiratory or lung issues, asthma, illness, heart problems, parasites and more. Having your vet examine Hailey is best to determine the underlying cause and get help.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat is gagging and only spitting up saliva. Should I worry?

Oh my. The best way to help your kitty is to take her in to the vet. She needs at the very least, an injection of anti-vomit medication to settle her gagging and vomiting right away. If she continues this she will become severely dehydrated and can even cause irritation to her esophagus. Then she needs to be examined to determine what is causing this. Common causes of excessive vomiting in cats is a foreign body obstruction, kidney disease and pancreatitis. I hope your kitty gets better soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my cat gagging, hoarse, and having trouble swallowing?

She may have a piece of a foreign material (often a grass blade) in the throat or at the back of the nose. It may be a bad swelling from allergic reaction or a wound in the throat from chewing on something sharp. Please, take Sox to your local vets today, she will most likely need sedation for throat examination.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my senior cat coughing and gagging after coming inside?

It could be Brownie ate something outside causing him to cough and gag, and it's concerning that he can't eat without doing this behavior. Keep a close eye on him and if this keeps happening over the next few hours, I'd have him seen by a vet for it. The vet can diagnose what is causing it and can treat him.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy is gagging but not vomiting. Did he swallow something?

Puppies are notorious for swallowing anything that crosses their path. They don't have hands, so they explore everything with their mouths. He may have swallowed something that is stuck, there may even be a piece of string looped around the base of his tongue. Hopefully your vet did a thorough oral examination, including lifting the tongue in order to see underneath. This area is very hard to see and string can hide there very easily. It could be a long human hair that is bothering him. If you find string, thread or hair in his mouth that goes down his throat, DO NOT PULL IT. Same goes for any you may see as he tries to defecate. NEVER pull on any linear foreign body. It could be looped around some soft tissue out of sight and you will cause more damage. Any stringlike material caught around the tongue should be cut with a pair of safety scissors and allowed to go on down. If this happens, let your vet know what is going on and if he develops any other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, get him back in to see your vet right away.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share