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It can be disconcerting to see your cat shake. It is essential to know whether your feline friend is shaking from something simple like feeling a bit cold, or something serious that warrants a visit to the veterinarian.
Let's examine the reasons for cat shaking:
1. Deep Sleep Movements
If your cat shakes as they sleep, it could be due to the REM sleep cycle, where they can dream and twitch every 25 minutes or so. This is nothing to worry about.
2. Anxiety, Stress, or Excitement
Some healthy adult cats become anxious after a traumatic experience or separation. If you notice a fearful cat tremble, experience diarrhea, and hide away, stress could be the cause.
To help an anxious, shaking cat from a traumatic experience, it is best to remove anything that triggers their anxiety. This might involve setting up separate living spaces for different pets, moving food bowls and litter trays away from busy parts of the home, or preventing noisy children from trying to play with the cat.
Take your cat to the veterinarian if your cat's anxiety is extreme and your cat shakes despite providing a safe space for your cat.
3. Temperature Issues
Your pet might shake if they experience temperature changes that make them warmer or cooler than a cat's normal body temperature. A cat that has been out in the cold will shake or shiver to keep warm. Hyperthermia, a cat's body temperature higher than normal, also causes shaking in cats and should be treated urgently.
With their tiny bodies, young kittens are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes, as their temperature regulation systems are not well-developed. If you notice your young cat shivering, it is best to ensure they are warm by providing a warm or heated blanket and cat-safe heating pads.
4. Allergies
A shivering cat could be suffering from allergies. Seasonal allergies can cause a cat to shiver from itchy skin, or shake its head due to itchy ears. Allergies can cause secondary infections, runny nose, swollen paws, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. Schedule a veterinary visit for a proper diagnosis.
Related reading: Can Cats Have Allergies?
5. Pain or Injury
Cats rarely show when they are in pain unless it is severe. As a pet parent, it may be difficult to accurately interpret whether the shaking is due to an ear infection, tumor, internal injury, or a painful limb. If you notice other signs of pain, such as open-mouth breathing, trembling, hissing, growling, and reluctance, it's important to consult a veterinarian.
6. Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels in cats can also cause your cat's trembling. Hypoglycemia is usually due to your cat not eating frequently, and kittens will shake due to muscle weakness if they are not getting enough food.
If your cat is shaking due to hypoglycemia, feed them maple syrup or honey using a dropper to help glucose levels go up fast. If you notice the shaking is recurrent, consult with your veterinarian for blood work to check for diseases related to blood glucose abnormalities like diabetes.
7. Poisoning
Chemicals and some plants can be poisonous to your furry friend. For example, poinsettia is a toxic plant containing a sap that irritates a cat's mouth and esophagus. Although mildly toxic, a cat that has eaten this plant will experience nausea, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and decreased appetite. You may also notice your cat trembling.
Other poisonous plants, such as holly berries, lilies, mistletoe, and pine needles, are dangerous and can even cause death. Don't feed your cat toxic substances such as coffee, chocolate, or alcohol; keep poisonous plants away from cats and dogs.
8. Kidney Disease
A cat's kidney is a vital organ, and your cat may tremble if it has a kidney problem. Kidney problems are commonly seen in older cats but can also arise from your cat ingesting toxic plants, infection, or an undetected tumor. Symptoms to look out for that accompany trembling include weight loss, excessive thirst, dehydration, vomiting with traces of blood, bad breath, and weakness.
If your cat is shaking, and you are concerned it could be because of kidney disease, consult a veterinarian for a thorough physical examination. Your veterinarian will determine whether your cat has acute or chronic kidney failure.
9. Neurological Issues
A nervous system disorder can also cause shaking or trembling, as the nerves send the wrong signals to the muscles. Signs of neurological issues include seizures, urinary incontinence, decreased appetite, hiding, disorientation, and trembling.
It's essential to get proper treatment for a cat's neurological conditions, as they can lead to permanent damage if left untreated.
When to See a Veterinarian
If you notice unusual shaking and note any changes in your cat's behavior, such as vomiting, difficulty walking, loss of balance, or loss of appetite, contact your veterinarian for an examination and appropriate diagnosis. Remember, early treatment is associated with better outcomes for most diseases.
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Conclusion
Shaking in cats can be a symptom of a serious, even life-threatening, underlying health problem. The first thing to check is whether your cat's temperature seems normal, and make efforts to keep them warm if they seem cold, or cool if they seem to have an elevated body temperature.
Any shaking that does not resolve within a few minutes, or shaking accompanied by other symptoms, warrants immediate veterinary attention. Consult a veterinarian if you're concerned about your cat's shaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cat suddenly shaking?
There are a number of different conditions that can cause sudden shaking in cats, including pain, stress, and cold. If you notice sudden and persistent shaking in your cat, neurological conditions such as epilepsy or poisoning would be a concern, and you should get your cat checked immediately.
How do veterinarians diagnose cat shaking?
They will perform a thorough physical examination and ask for the cat's medical history and recent environmental changes. They may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as blood work, urinalysis, X-rays, or ultrasound.
How do veterinarians treat cat shaking?
Veterinarians observe the cat's medical history and do diagnostic tests. Once they determine the cause of the feline tremors, they devise a treatment plan tailored to the specific condition.
How can I manage cat shaking?
Keep your feline friends calm, warm, and away from toxins. Also, remember to schedule regular veterinary check-ups.
Are there certain breeds or ages of cats that are more prone to shaking?
All cat breeds can shake when in pain, feel cold, or experience fear.
