While not always serious, spasms and tremors in cats can be a cause for concern if they become severe or are not associated with a known cause.
As someone with a cat who’s more than seven years old, this topic was very interesting for me to research and learn more about.
Spasms and tremors can be caused by anything from stress or excitement to an underlying medical condition, such as a neurological disorder or things like these:
1. Kidney Failure
This is a serious health issue in cats that can cause a variety of symptoms, including tremors.
When a cat’s kidneys aren’t functioning properly, it can lead to a buildup of toxins in their bloodstream, which can cause tremors.
2. Medication Side Effects
Just like us humans, cats can experience side effects from medications, one of them being tremors.
Some medications, such as antibiotics, flea medicine, and heartworm preventatives, can cause involuntary muscle movements in cats.
3. Toxicity or Poisoning
If your cat has ingested something harmful, tremors could be one of the signs of poisoning.
Intoxications (such as organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorines, strychnine, pyrethrins, and pyrethroids, mycotoxins) can all cause involuntary muscle movements in cats.
4. Injury or Trauma
If your cat has been injured, it may shake or shiver due to pain or shock.
This type of tremor is usually short-lived and will go away once the pain subsides.
5. Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause shaking in cats, just like in humans.
This is usually seen in younger cats or those who don’t eat enough and/or vomit or have diarrhea.
6. Ear Infections
An infection in the ear can affect your cat’s balance and cause shaking or trembling.
If your cat is experiencing an ear infection, it will likely also be exhibiting other symptoms, such as ear discharge and redness.
7. They’re Dreaming
If your cat is shaking while they sleep, they might just be having a dream. Yes, cats dream too!
This type of tremor is usually short-lived and nothing to worry about.
8. Extreme Temperatures
Both high and low body temperatures can cause your cat to shake.
Exposure to extreme heat or cold can make our cat’s body go into shock, resulting in muscle tremors.
9. Nervous System Disorders
Cats’ nervous systems are complex.
Any disorder in this system could lead to tremors or involuntary muscle movements.
Some of the most common disorders that lead to tremors include cerebellar hypoplasia, which is genetic, and feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which leads to excessive grooming and skin twitching.
10. Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome
This rare condition causes cats to have heightened sensitivity to touch.
Cats with this condition may display skin rippling, tail biting, and involuntary muscle twitching.
11. Cerebellum Damage
The cerebellum is part of the brain that controls movement.
Damage to this area can cause an intentional tremor in cats.
This type of tremor is characterized by small, rhythmic movements of the head, neck, and limbs.
12. Degenerative and Inherited Cerebellar Diseases
There are several diseases that affect the cerebellum and can cause tremors in cats.
Some of these conditions are genetic, meaning they are passed down from one generation to the next.
13. Metabolic Derangements
Hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hepatic encephalopathy, and uremia are all metabolic derangements that can cause tremors in cats.
These are conditions that affect the body’s ability to metabolize nutrients properly.
14. Meningitis and Encephalitis
Meningitis and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain or its membranes, can cause tremors in cats.
These conditions are usually caused by a bacterial infection and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
If you notice your cat shaking or trembling, it’s important to take them to the vet right away.
15. Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis secondary to duodenal obstruction
This is a rare but severe case wherein your cat may experience muscle fasciculations and tremors from vomiting due to hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis because of a hairball stuck in the cat’s intestine.
Seen in this case report by the National Library of Medicine.
Is it normal for cats to have tremors?
Cat tremors are common, and the underlying cause varies depending on the reason. Nonetheless, as a pet owner, you should not overlook these symptoms.
Whenever your cat begins to shake excessively or shows odd behaviors, you must have it checked by a vet.
Remember, an illness that may be simple for us can be life-altering for our cats.
If your cat is twitching, it is important to take them to the vet to make sure that nothing is wrong.
The vet is the only one who can tell you if everything is okay.
Video of a cat tremoring
And here is a video of a cat experiencing tremors due to ingesting flea products or insecticides:
What does feline hyperesthesia look like?
According to Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, Feline hyperesthesia, also known as “rolling skin disease” or “twitchy cat syndrome,” is a condition characterized by extreme sensitivity in a cat’s skin, typically on the back near the tail.
When this area is touched or stimulated, affected cats may exhibit various unusual behaviors and reactions.
Here is a description of what feline hyperesthesia may look like:
1. Sensitivity to touch
When the sensitive area is touched, petted, or stimulated, the cat may react in different ways.
Some cats may scratch at the area themselves, while others may become suddenly aggressive and attempt to bite.
This reaction can be triggered by even light touch or gentle petting.
2. Pupil dilation and skin rippling
During an episode of feline hyperesthesia, a cat’s pupils may dilate, and the skin in the affected area may ripple or twitch.
3. Excessive grooming and scratching
Cats with hyperesthesia may exhibit intense scratching and digging at the sensitive area or other spots on their body.
This behavior is an attempt to alleviate the discomfort or sensations they experience.
4. Tail chasing
Some cats with hyperesthesia may engage in tail-chasing behavior.
They may continuously chase and bite their own tail, exhibiting repetitive and compulsive movements.
5. Vocalization and urination
In more severe cases, affected cats may vocalize, yowl, or exhibit signs of distress. They may also urinate inappropriately due to the intense sensations they experience.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary among individual cats, and not all cats will exhibit every symptom.
The severity and frequency of episodes can also differ, but as always, if you suspect that your cat may have feline hyperesthesia, the first thing you should do is consult with your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian should be able to help you diagnose the condition, provide treatment options, and, more importantly, help give you peace of mind.
Preventing cat tremors
Cat tremors can be caused by a wide range of factors, from simple coldness or fear to more serious health issues like the ones mentioned above.
Here’s how you can prevent or manage these tremors:
Regular vet check-ups
Regular visits to the vet can help catch any potential health issues early before they can cause tremors.
Medication
In some cases, your vet might recommend medication to control the tremors, especially if they are caused by neurological conditions.
Manage their stress
Stress and anxiety can cause trembling in cats. Provide a safe, quiet space for them and avoid sudden changes in their environment or routine.
Monitor their diet
Hypoglycemia, which can cause tremors, is often the result of a poor diet. Make sure your cat is eating a balanced, nutritious diet.
Ask your vet for their recommendation on the best diet for your cat.
Keep them warm
If your cat is shivering because they’re cold, try wrapping them in a blanket to warm them up.
Pay attention to their behavior
Always pay attention to your cat’s behavior and movements so that you can identify any unusual or concerning signs.
If you notice your cat trembling, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Sometimes the problem might be dietary
A few months ago, we bought some new cat treats and started giving them to our cat.
She literally started scratching and making cuts all over her body soon after.
Long story short, she was able to recover after we realized that everything started when we gave her the treats.
I am happy that with our veterinarian’s help, we were able to figure things out because it was a tough time for us, and we almost lost hope that our cat would recover.
Whether your cat is twitching, experiencing muscle spasms, or something else you might not be sure about, reach out to a vet.
Give your cat a fighting chance
Don’t ever try to diagnose your cat yourself. I would never do that because our eyes aren’t the best judge of what’s going on internally with our cats.
Take care of your cat, even if it might cost you money at the vet.
Get pet insurance if you don’t already have it, and that can help you pay for your vet visits.
It’s not as expensive as most people think, and it will help you save a lot of money while providing the care that your cat deserves.
While some tremors can be harmless, they could also be caused by something serious and should always be checked out by the vet to find out if things are more serious than they seem.
Your vet will be able to determine what’s causing the tremors and provide the appropriate treatment.
Pay attention to your cat to see whether their tremors occur when your cat is sleeping when purring, while they are relaxed, or after surgery.
Anything you can observe from your cat will help you explain to your veterinarian what your concerns are so that they can assess and get to the root of the issue much faster.