Trembling in Cats

Notice trembling in your cat and not sure what the reason is? It can be normal to see your cat tremble as he dreams while sleeping, and you may notice him shake his head from time to time with no cause for alarm. However, involuntary seizure-like movements can be scary for both you and your cat. You may notice that your cat’s movements are abnormal when your cat shakes his head, legs, or entire body uncontrollably. Tremors are characterized as repetitive muscle movements that alternate between contractions and a period of relaxation; your cat can’t control the movements. There are several conditions that could cause your cat to have involuntary, seizure-like movements:

• Hypoglycemia
• Kidney disease or kidney failure
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia
• Psychological issues
• Pain
• Shock
• Toxicity

First, it is important to make sure that your cat has not been exposed to any poison that might be causing the tremors. If so, see a veterinarian immediately.

Hypoglycemia
If your cat has not eaten for an extended period of time, her blood sugar can drop, resulting in hypoglycemia. However, this condition can occur even if your cat eats regularly, and can be a sign of feline diabetes and needs to be treated by your veterinarian. This is an uncommon sign in adult cats, but can happen in kittens more frequently.  If your cat eats properly yet still experiences trembling, see your veterinarian. 

Chronic Kidney Disease

Loss of kidney function over time can cause a buildup of protein and waste products in the bloodstream, which can cause appetite loss, general malaise and, if untreated, kidney failure. Kidney failure can cause your cat to experience seizures. 

Hypothermia

A cat’s normal body temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5, which most healthy adult cats have no trouble maintaining. Kittens, especially newborns, cannot maintain their own body temperatures. Cats with health issues may also experience hypothermia. It is important to use a heated blanket or heating pad to encourage warmth while you contact your veterinarian.

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia can be caused by some very serious issues: uncontrolled fever, poisoning, and epilepsy. Cats are considered to have a fever any time their body temperature rises above 103.5. Often a virus or underlying infection can be the cause of the high fever and should be treated by a veterinarian.

Psychological Issues

Your cat may be experiencing a phobia, social issues with another pet, or anxiety and stress may also cause your cat to tremble. 

Pain

An injury, tumors, and other internal illnesses may cause your cat to tremble. A veterinarian should determine that there are no underlying issues that are causing your cat to tremble. 

Shock

Shock is a serious issue, but often is secondary to another illness, accident, or some other trauma. If your cat is shaking and has pale gums, cold limbs and a rapid heart rate, see your veterinarian immediately.

Toxicity

Unfortunately, curious cats sometimes come in contact with toxic plants, chemicals, or other poisonous materials. If you suspect your cat has ingested something, is trembling, and possibly vomiting, see your veterinarian immediately.

If you suspect that your cat may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and the cat is unable to eat on her own, you may use a dropper to give her some honey or maple sugar; this will quickly cause her glucose to come back up. However, if you notice hypoglycemia occurring on a regular basis, you need to take your cat in for some blood tests. You may have to change your cat’s diet or feed her more frequently. Hypothermia can be fatal in kittens or sickly adult cats. Your vet will need to treat the underlying cause of the hypothermia. A heating pad, heated blanket, or a heat lamp can be used to help your cat maintain proper body temperature until you can get her to a veterinarian, but use caution, as thermal burns can occur with these devices.  Hyperthermia is often the result of a fever due to a virus or an infection, which needs to be determined by your veterinarian. Shock, toxicity issues, and pain are often secondary illnesses which need to be professionally treated as well. Psychological issues are somewhat different as you will have to determine what is causing the anxiety in your cat and keeping her from overexertion and overstimulation. Blood tests can determine if your cat has kidney disease and help determine the best form of treatment for your cat.

Hypoglycemia can often be prevented by making sure that your cat eats proper meals regularly. Always keep poisonous plants, such as poinsettias, and chemicals away from areas your cat may frequent. If your cat suffers from anxiety, you may need to monitor her behavior in order to determine the cause. If noises startle her, for example, a nice background music played throughout the day may help to soothe her. An organ disease such as of the kidneys is not always preventable. Make sure fresh food and water are always available and an annual wellness check will include blood tests that may reveal markers indicative of an organ issue so that any disease can be caught early when it is potentially treatable.  

The cost of treating trembling in your cat is largely based on the underlying reason for the shaking. If your cat is found to be hypoglycemic or diabetic, diagnosis and treatment may range between $500-$2500 with ongoing costs. Insulin and other medications can cost an average of $50 to $200 per month. The cost of treating kidney disease in cats depends on the treatment needed.