{"id":1361,"date":"2024-10-31T05:55:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T06:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/networkprocurement.net\/?p=1361"},"modified":"2024-11-15T16:06:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T16:06:00","slug":"why-do-cats-gag-11-vet-reviewed-reasons-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/networkprocurement.net\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/why-do-cats-gag-11-vet-reviewed-reasons-what-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Cats Gag? 11 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & What to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reasons Why Cats Gag<\/a>
\nWhat to Do if Your Cat Is Gagging<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It\u2019s kind of a running joke in the cat owner community that cats gag a lot, often in the middle of the night and while sitting on their owner\u2019s bed or an expensive rug. Although most of the time they are just dealing with a pesky hairball, gagging in cats can be an indicator of a more serious problem, so it\u2019s important to pay close attention to your cat\u2019s gagging and get them to a vet if things seem concerning. There are a lot of reasons that cats may gag though, and thankfully, some of them are not serious and are easy to fix.<\/p>\n

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The 11 Reasons Why Cats Gag<\/h2>\n

1.<\/span> Hairballs<\/h3>\n

The most common cause of gagging in cats is the presence of hairballs. Hairballs consist of hair that collects in your cat\u2019s stomach, esophagus, or intestines, when grooming themselves. Hair doesn\u2019t digest like food does, and much of the time it passes through the digestive tract and is eliminated in the feces. However, it\u2019s not uncommon for the hair to accumulate over time. This can lead to constipation if it is in the large intestine, vomiting if it is in the small intestine, and gagging or retching if in the esophagus or entrance to the stomach.<\/p>\n

Hairballs are not uncommon in cats, but they can cause serious problems, including intestinal obstructions, so you should always pay attention to hairballs and talk to your vet about hairball remedies if your cat is gagging or throwing up hairballs regularly.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Joon Rungtipa, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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2.<\/span>\u00a0 Nausea and Vomiting<\/h3>\n

Gagging is a common indicator of nausea in cats, and your cat may also gag multiple times before successfully vomiting. There are many reasons that cats may become nauseated and gag, ranging from mild to severe, so it\u2019s very important that you note how often your cat is gagging and if they\u2019re vomiting.<\/p>\n

Cats may vomit on occasion, but routine vomiting is not normal and can indicate that your cat is having chronic digestive problems that should be addressed by your vet.<\/p>\n

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It is also important to be able to tell the difference between vomiting and regurgitation.<\/div>\n
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