Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) in Cats

Cats with dysphagia may tilt their heads while eating, attempt to swallow repeatedly, or chew food excessively
Any number of conditions affecting a cat’s mouth, pharynx, or esophagus lead to dysphagia, including muscular or neurological conditions, injuries, inflammation, and cancer
Dysphagia varies in severity, ranging from difficulty swallowing to a complete inability to swallow
Dysphagia always warrants medical intervention, but severe cases are medical emergencies
Diagnostics include a physical examination, bloodwork, urinalysis, and diagnostic imaging
Treatment varies depending on the underlying condition

Are you concerned?

Connect with a vet to get more information about your pet’s health.

Book an online vet

A closer look: Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) in Cats

Dysphagia is uncommon in cats.

Cats cannot go more than 2-3 days without food, or they risk developing hepatic lipidosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. If a cat is unable to swallow at all, they require emergency medical attention.

If dysphagia is accompanied by signs of obvious distress, such as difficulty breathing, panicked behavior, or collapse, it is also considered an emergency.

Some conditions that can cause dysphagia, such as dental disease, are serious. Even when cats can still swallow, dysphagia still warrants prompt intervention.

Possible causes

Many conditions can lead to dysphagia, especially those affecting a cat’s mouth, jaw, upper throat (pharynx), and esophagus. These range from neural disorders which interrupt a cat’s brain signals, conditions affecting the muscles a cat uses to chew or swallow, foreign objects caught in their mouth or digestive tract and conditions that make swallowing uncomfortable, such as an injury.

Examples of conditions associated with dysphagia include

Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis)

Injuries

Esophageal stricture

Gastrointestinal Blockage (GI Foreign Body Obstruction) in Cats

Pharyngeal paralysis

Esophageal dysmotility

Megaesophagus in Cats Dental Disease (Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease) in Cats Hernias in Cats Masticatory Myositis in Cats Dropped Jaw (Trigeminal Neuropathy) in Cats Upper and Lower Jaw Fracture in Cats

Developmental abnormalities

Encephalitis

Cancer of the esophagus

Risk factors

Some cats with dysphagia are still able to swallow, albeit with difficulty. Others are unable to swallow at all. Cats showing signs of visible distress require emergency medical attention.

Signs may include

Outstretched neck
Difficulty breathing
Panicked behavior
Collapse

Dysphagia is usually caused by chronic conditions that develop over time, although it may manifest acutely in cases of injuries, inflammation, and foreign bodies.

Testing and diagnosis

Diagnostics begin with a physical examination. Other testing may be recommended, including:

Bloodwork
Diagnostic imaging
Urinalysis
Endoscopy

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and may include medication or surgery. Cats that cannot eat may require nutritional support through a feeding tube, to prevent hepatic lipidosis.