Why is my cat twitching in his sleep?
If you’ve ever noticed your cat’s paws twitching, whiskers quivering, or even their tail flicking while they sleep, you’ve probably wondered — why do cats twitch in their sleep?
The twitches might seem strange to pet parents. But is it ever something to worry about?
Good news! Twitching during sleep is typically harmless, and actually part of a cat’s natural sleep cycle. Though, in some cases, it can indicate underlying health issues.
Understanding the causes of twitching while sleeping, recognizing when it might be a problem, and knowing what to do if it becomes excessive can help ensure your cat stays happy and healthy.
Read on to find out what’s happening when cats twitch while sleeping, when to be concerned, and what steps to take if twitching seems excessive.
What does a cat twitching in sleep really look like?
Twitching refers to involuntary muscle movements, which can appear as small spasms, flicks, or tremors. These movements can happen when a cat is awake or asleep, but when they occur during sleep, they’re often linked to their natural sleep cycle.
The role of sleep stages in twitching
Like humans, cats experience different sleep stages, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. This is the deepest sleep stage, during which dreaming occurs. During REM sleep, a cat’s brain remains active, sending signals to the muscles that can cause subtle body movements.
Since kittens and younger cats usually spend more time in REM sleep, they tend to twitch more than older cats. You might notice a young cat’s paws paddling, their ears flicking, or even tiny vocalizations. Don’t worry. These are all normal signs that they’re deep in dreamland.
But if twitching becomes prolonged or starts to happen when your cat’s awake, it could indicate a medical condition that might require a trip to the vet.
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Symptoms of cats twitching in their sleep
Involuntary muscle trembling can appear in different ways, ranging from fast, repetitive movements to slower, more sporadic twitching.
Some cats experience localized trembling, which means it only affects a specific area (most commonly the head or hind legs). Others may have more generalized trembling, where the movements happen over their entire body.
These tremors can be constant or come and go in episodes, depending on the cause. In some cases, you might also notice other signs that could hint at an underlying issue.
Here are some common symptoms that may appear alongside muscle trembling:
- Uncontrolled trembling or twitching
- Sensitivity to touch
- Repetitive pawing or scratching
- Pain and vocalizations that might be related to pain
Causes of cats twitching in their sleep
When cats twitch in their sleep, it can be for a number of reasons. Sometimes, it’s a harmless response to external stimuli or emotions, while other times, it may indicate an underlying health issue.
In some cases, twitching or trembling is simply part of your cat’s normal behavior, and might be triggered by excitement, temperature changes, or even dreams. But muscle trembling can also be a primary condition on its own, unrelated to any external cause.
Here are some of the most common reasons why your cat might experience involuntary muscle trembling:
- Nervous system disorder
- Kidney failure
- Certain medications
- Toxicity or poisoning
- Injury or trauma
- Strong emotional responses like excitement, fear, or anxiety
- Deep or REM sleep stages
- Itchiness from dry skin, mites, or fleas
- Low blood calcium
- Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar
- Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Rabies
- Seizure disorders like epilepsy
- Feline hyperesthesia or rolling skin disease
- Congenital or genetic conditions
- Pain
- Weakness
- Certain cancers, especially those affecting the nervous system or muscles
Diagnosis — what to expect at the vet
If your cat is twitching in sleep more than usual, or if their muscles are trembling while they’re awake, your vet may need to run several diagnostic tests to determine the cause. The process typically starts with a thorough physical exam and a review of your cat’s medical history.
Be sure to mention any unusual signs you’ve noticed, including:
- How often the twitching occurs
- Whether it happens only while sleeping or also when awake
- Which parts of the body are affected
Since muscle trembling can be episodic, it may not always happen during the vet visit. If possible, record a video of the twitching episodes at home. This can help your vet assess the severity and pattern of the movements.
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Common diagnostic tests
To rule out potential causes like neurological issues, infections, or metabolic imbalances, your vet may run several tests:
- Bloodwork: A complete blood cell count (CBC), biochemistry panel, and electrolyte test can help detect infections, inflammation, or imbalances that might contribute to cats twitching while sleeping or while awake.
- Urinalysis: Testing a urine sample can reveal issues with kidney function, dehydration, or metabolic disorders.
- Imaging (X-rays, Ultrasound, or MRI): If twitching or trembling is linked to nerve damage, muscle disorders, or underlying injuries, imaging scans may be needed to get a clearer picture.
By gathering this information, your vet can determine whether the twitching is a normal part of your cat’s sleep cycle or if it requires medical attention.
Treatment
The treatment method used by your vet will be determined by their diagnosis of the underlying cause of the trembling. These treatments can vary widely depending on the condition causing the trembling and may include surgery, medications, or other methods.
But if no cause is determined, medication may be prescribed to aid in a reduction of the trembling.
Here are some of the common treatments used for muscle trembling:
Muscle relaxants
Drugs in this category are designed to relax muscles, which may help reduce or eliminate the tremors. This treatment must be properly dosed for your pet’s size and physical condition to reduce the risk of side effects.
Supplementation
If a deficiency or imbalance is the cause of the trembling, your vet might recommend supplements to restore your furry friend’s nutrient balance.
Anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications
If the cause is determined to be psychosomatic, medications designed to improve your cat’s mental state might be the best option. Proper dosing is needed with this type of treatment to minimize the risk of side effects.
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Recovery and long-term management
Once the cause of twitching is identified and managed properly, most cats return to normal sleep patterns! Creating a comfortable, stress-free environment can help reduce twitching episodes.
How to support healthy sleep
- Provide a warm, quiet sleeping area
- Provide a balanced diet to prevent metabolic issues
- Reduce stress with routine playtime and environmental enrichment
- Use flea prevention to avoid external irritants
Involuntary Muscle Trembling Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Tabby
10 weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking And Limp
Shows no interest in her food. Breathing quickly, limp in her walk, shaking
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 19, 2020
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Havana
Nine Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Muscle Flutter
My 9 year old cat has been experiencing some odd spasms. He's been to a neurologist and chiropractor. He had an MRI and CT Scan of his spine and brain. Everything comes back normal, and his spine was adjusted. He's still experiencing these episodes and now underwent acupuncture as well without any relief. In fact, on the way home from the acupuncture, he had an episode in the car. These spasms often wake him up from his sleep as he scrambles around for a few seconds and then seems to lose his balance when he tries to get up.
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Since I cannot see him, It would be best to have your pet rechecked by a veterinarian if he continues to have problems, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 19, 2020
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Long Hair Tabby female
Seven Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Head Trembling
I have noticed on several occasions that my cat's head will tremble rapidly almost like trembling when you are extremely cold. Is this something to worry about?
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Some animals do have tremors as they age, and this may be normal for her. If it is worsening, or you are not able to distract her when she is having the tremors, then It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 20, 2020
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exotic shorthair
Five Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
my cat has episodes where his head obs and his right paw/leg curly round and this can last for 40 seconds or more and then he just jumps up and is back to normal
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 25, 2020
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Short hair
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Uncontrollable Shaking Of The Whole Body And No Use Of Back Legs At All
What’s wrong with my cat
July 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, without seeing your cat, I don't have any way of knowing what's going on with him. It sounds like there may be a toxin involved, or a trauma, or a neurologic or infectious disease. It sounds quite serious, and it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian right away. I hope that he is okay.
July 25, 2020
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tabby
Dasher
5 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
Shaking Stomach
Shaking Stomach, Choking
My cats stomach started violently shacking today like something is trying to get out of his tummy. While his stomach is shacking he starts to choke like a hairball wants to come out but nothing comes out. He has been doing it all day.I would take him to the vet but its closed today. I was wondering if anyone might be able to share there experiences. Thank you
American Shorthair
Skittles
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tremors, Hiding, Anorexia
My cat started having shiver-like tremors in her hind legs and sometimes even her front paws, but I only notice it when she having her belly rubbed and seems to be happily dozing and purring loudly. She had her distemper vaccine two days ago and now she just wants to hide and won’t eat, but still has the shivers when I rub her belly. Curiouser and curiouser.
