I had a kitten who purred SO LOUD, like a panther, that she would actually have to stop and catch her breath, and that's what it sounded like, as if she was gagging or choking for a second, and then she would continue purring. For her, it was just natural.

 

That is odd...must be tickle in the throat or something?

 

Mellie makes some odd noises sometimes while she's purring. You're sure you're not mistaking some other noises for coughing and gagging?

 

Has your cat always done that, or is it something that started recently?

 

he's about 4 years old and i noticed him do it once in a while when he was about 2 or 3 and now he does it pretty regularly.