choking cat

Question
what would make a cat choke when he eats. He's not coughing. I can tell that he's choking. He only does this when he eats.

Answer
Hi Jan.  There are a number of things that could cause this, including a swallowed foreign body such as a string, a growth in the throat area, or a faulty valve in the esophagus.  Some cats with an enlarged thyroid, which usually indicates hyperthyroidism, will choke due to the location of the thyroid in front of the throat.  

You should get your kitty to a vet.  They will do a physical exam to check for anything that may be visible in his mouth and upper throat and listen to his heart, just in case heart disease could have anything to do with it.  If his thyroid is enlarged or his heart is beating quickly, a thyroid test might be recommended.  If nothing stands out, an x-ray may be suggested to see if there appear to be any growths in the upper chest region, although the throat is difficult to get pictured on an x-ray.  The cat may need to be anesthetized so the vets can look down his throat with a scope to check for growths such as tumors or polyps, or foreign bodies.  If it's determined that his upper esophageal valve is faulty, and it's causing a real problem, your only option may be surgery.

I hope all goes well!

Jessica