Megaoesophagus in Cats

Megaoesophagus is a condition in which the oesophagus—the muscular tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach—loses its normal ability to contract and push food downward. Instead of propelling swallowed food efficiently, the oesophagus becomes enlarged and flaccid, and food tends to accumulate there rather than reaching the stomach. Owners most often notice regurgitation: the passive bringing-up of undigested food, sometimes hours after eating, often without the forceful abdominal effort seen in vomiting. Some cats may show weight loss, increased appetite despite eating, or repeated swallowing motions. Occasionally the first concern is coughing or laboured breathing, which can occur if regurgitated material enters the airways. This page explores what megaoesophagus may look like in daily life, what may be happening underneath (including whether an underlying cause can be identified), how the condition is investigated, and what approaches exist for managing feeding and reducing complications.