For us humans, trembling is often considered a negative sign, which is why we often worry when our cat shivers and twitches. This looks unusual and scary in the first place, but a cat is really always in pain when it shivers?
Mostly it is rather due to harmless reasons. In exceptional cases, however, it may be that the trembling of the cat as a symptom of a disease is to be interpreted. In this case it is particularly important that the velvet paw is completely covered by a suitable cat health insurance.
What it means when the cat trembles, what causes it can have and what you should do in such a situation, you can learn here.
If the cat suddenly trembles all over the body, the owner wants to find out what the cause is. In many cases an examination at the vet is recommended. Find out on our product page about the coverage of costs by our cat health insurance and protect your velvet paw extensively.
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Stress can cause cats to shake.
Your cat is trembling? These may be the causes
Every cat is different and has its own head. Mistresses and masters can certainly sing a song about it. But this is what makes velvet paws so special. Their individuality is also reflected in their behavior in relation to trembling. If your cat trembles with its tail, head or all over its body, it can have a variety of reasons – and they don’t necessarily have to be negative.
But it’s often hard for us humans to understand why our beloved pets tremble, and it’s easy to get worried. With these clues you can better narrow down the causes why your cat trembles.
Cat trembles while sleeping
You have noticed that your cat trembles and twitches during sleep? This is not a cause for alarm. In the end this has the same reasons as with us humans.
The brain has already arrived at sleep, but the body sends signals to move. This makes us dream, for example, that we fall or stumble and wince. The phenomenon also exists with the velvet paws. Sometimes a cat dreams so vividly that it trembles and makes noises. So do not worry.
Emotional causes: Cat trembles from fear or stress
The fact that the cat trembles while sleeping usually has physical causes that are not alarming. Also lively dreams are no reason for concern. However, other emotional situations, such as stress, anxiety, restlessness, irritability or anger can be the cause that the cat trembles. Positive emotions, e.g. when relaxing, purring or shaking with joy, can also make the four-legged friend tremble. Often only the tail of the cat trembles, as this is a kind of emotional indicator.
Since it is difficult to recognize whether emotions are really the trigger for the trembling, the cat should definitely continue to be observed. If you suspect your cat is under stress, create a calm atmosphere for your animal and also keep calm yourself. Often your personal mood also affects the four-legged friend.
If the trembling occurs more frequently and is not clearly attributable, a veterinarian should be consulted. Only a veterinarian can rule out pain and serious illnesses, such as epilepsy.
Hypoglycemia is often manifested by trembling in cats
The symptoms of hypoglycemia in cats are also similar to those in us humans, because animals also have blood sugar levels. If it is too low, hypoglycemia occurs and is often manifested by the cat shivering. The causes of hypoglycemia can be diarrhea, diabetes, constipation and vomiting, but also too little food or the wrong food.
In any case, it is important that the cat eats to bring the blood sugar level back to a normal level. If the cat does not eat and trembles, a veterinarian should be consulted, as it may be that a serious disease is the trigger of these symptoms.
Fever as a cause of trembling in cats
When there is talk of illness, one does not always have to assume something bad, like epilepsy for example. If the cat is not fit, fever reactions can occur just like in humans. This is a normal defense reaction of the body, especially to get pathogenic germs under control. Similarly, fever can also occur after surgery or vaccination and cause the cat to shiver. In such a case, the veterinarian should be consulted without fail.
In conjunction with a fever, you may experience chills that manifest as tremors. If you suspect your cat has an elevated body temperature, you should take a fever. There are special fever thermometers for animals, which can be used to measure the temperature rectally. If this is above 39 degrees, you should visit the vet.
Hypothermia: the cat trembles when it comes from outside
Not only an increased temperature can cause your cat to shiver. Also a too low body temperature or massive cold can cause this reaction. Here happens the same as in the human body. We are cold and we start shivering to compensate for the decrease in temperature – it is the same with cats. Especially in young and old cats the shivering caused by cold can occur more often, because they can regulate their body temperature less well.
So pay attention to whether your cat trembles when it comes from outside. If this is the case, a warm blanket or heating pad can provide quick relief. In the long run, you can also raise the temperature in your own home if the cat frequently shivers after being outside.
Poisoning: cat trembles and vomits
If a cat shakes and vomits a lot, it can also be a sign of poisoning. The cat is noticeably unwell when poisoned and the trembling is clearly different from trembling in other situations, such as when sleeping or relaxing. In this case, the cat not only trembles all over the body, but also shows other symptoms: The cat drools, twitches, convulses and vomits, expresses spasticity or even paralysis. You should always consult a veterinarian in such cases.
Triggers for poisoning in cats can be poison bait, but also food such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions or raw pork. Of course, anti-insect agents for dogs, household cleaners, rat poison and insecticides are also toxic for our house tigers. Since they like to jump up and climb everywhere, they can get to many of these things quickly and easily.
Therefore, it is always important to keep all toxic foods and substances safe and out of your cat’s reach. If signs of poisoning do appear, even if they are isolated symptoms, going directly to the vet is urgent.