Is your pet having a seizure right now?
- Keep them safeMove furniture and sharp objects away and guide them away from stairs. Don’t hold them down or put anything in their mouth.
- Time itNote when it started. Most seizures last 30 to 90 seconds.
- Stay with themSpeak softly and stay with your pet until they’ve fully recovered.
Seek urgent veterinary advice if this is your pet’s first seizure. Go to the nearest emergency vet now if a seizure continues for several minutes or your pet has more than one seizure in 24 hours.
Seizures in cats
How seizures can look in cats
Seizures are less common in cats than in dogs, and they’re often harder to recognize. Many cats have focal seizures, which affect only part of the body.
A seizure is a sign that something has disturbed the brain’s electrical activity. Your veterinarian will want to know what you saw and will look for the cause.
Generalized seizures
The whole brain is involved and the cat usually loses awareness. They often last 1 to 2 minutes.
What you may see
- Falling onto the side and stiffening
- Paddling or jerking of the legs
- Drooling, urination or defecation
- Not responding to you
Focal seizures
Only part of the brain is involved, so the signs can be subtle or look like strange behavior.
What you may see
- Twitching of the face, ears or whiskers
- Lip smacking, chewing or drooling
- Sudden running, hiding, vocalizing or aggression
- Staring or seeming unaware of you
Some older cats have brief jerks or twitches triggered by high-pitched sounds, such as crinkling foil or a spoon tapping a bowl. These are called audiogenic reflex seizures. Tell your veterinarian if you notice a pattern like this.
Why seizures happen
What causes seizures in cats
Cats are more likely than dogs to have an underlying cause for their seizures, so a thorough investigation is especially important.
Reactive seizures
Problems outside the brain, such as toxins, low blood sugar (for example from an insulin overdose in a diabetic cat), liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure and a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1).
Structural causes
Problems within the brain, such as inflammation or infection (including feline infectious peritonitis and toxoplasmosis), brain tumors such as meningioma, head injury and strokes.
Idiopathic epilepsy
Recurrent seizures with no cause found despite a full investigation. It’s diagnosed less often in cats than in dogs, but many cats with epilepsy respond well to treatment.
Keep dog flea and tick products away from cats
- Never put a dog flea or tick product on a cat. Some contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats and can cause tremors and seizures.
- Keep cats away from a dog that has just been treated until the product has dried.
- If you think your cat has been exposed, contact your veterinarian or an emergency hospital right away.
Diagnosis and treatment
How seizures in cats are investigated and treated
The tests depend on your cat’s age, history and examination.
- History and examinationYour veterinarian asks about the episodes, your cat’s diet, medications, flea treatments and outdoor access, then performs a physical and neurological examination.
- Blood tests and blood pressureThese check organ function and blood sugar, thyroid levels in older cats and, where needed, infectious diseases.
- MRI and spinal fluid analysisRecommended when a cause inside the brain is suspected. Both are done under general anesthesia.
- TreatmentTreatment targets the cause where possible. When anti-seizure medication is needed, phenobarbital and levetiracetam are commonly used in cats. Potassium bromide, used in dogs, isn’t recommended for cats because it can cause serious lung problems.
For pet owners
Recording seizures in cats
Cats often hide after a seizure, and focal seizures can be brief, so many owners aren’t sure what they saw. A short video is the most useful thing you can bring to your veterinarian.
Dr. Dillon provides specialist neurological case consultations for veterinarians rather than direct consultations. If your vet would like a neurologist’s input, they can arrange a case consultation with him.
For each episode, write down
- the date and time, and how long it lasted
- what happened, ideally with a video
- any flea products, new foods, medications or possible toxins
- how your cat behaved afterward and how long recovery took
The free My Pet Seizure Diary app keeps these records and creates reports to share with your vet.
Questions owners ask
Common questions
If your question is about your own cat, your veterinarian is the best person to ask.
Do cats have seizures less often than dogs?
Yes. Seizures are less common in cats, and they’re more likely to have an underlying cause, so your veterinarian will usually recommend tests to look for one.
My cat suddenly ran and hid, then seemed fine. Could that have been a seizure?
It can be. Focal seizures in cats can cause sudden running, hiding, vocalizing or aggression, sometimes with twitching or drooling. A video and notes about what happened help your veterinarian decide.
Can my cat take the same medication as a dog?
Not always. Some anti-seizure medications used in dogs, such as potassium bromide, aren’t recommended for cats. Only give medication your veterinarian has prescribed for your cat.
Can I book a consultation for my cat?
Dr. Dillon provides specialist neurological case consultations for veterinarians rather than direct consultations with pet owners. Your veterinarian can arrange a consultation with him and share your pet’s medical history, clinical findings, and relevant videos to help guide diagnosis and treatment.