what does it mean when cats shake

Anxiety, Fear, Anticipation/Excitement: Intense emotions can sometimes result in tremors. Pain or injury: Muscle tremors and shivering can occur due to pain. Extreme body temperature: Fever or hypothermia. Itching sensation from fleas or other parasites: Twitching that looks like tremors can be caused by itching.

Why is My Cat Shaking: 8 Reasons, Signs and Treatment

These eight typical explanations should help you answer the question, “Why is my cat shaking?” Since you are the one who knows your cat best, seek veterinary advice if the shaking seems sudden or out of the ordinary.

Without further ado, the following are some plausible explanations for your cat’s shaking:

Find food that fits your pet’s needs

If you own a pet, you’ve probably seen your cat exhibit a lot of strange behaviors. However, if you’ve recently noticed your cat shivering or shaking, you might be wondering, “Why is my cat shaking?” There are a variety of reasons why cats shiver or shake, but it can be concerning to witness your cat in physical distress. To help you take the best possible care of your feline friend, let’s examine some common causes of cats shivering and shaking.

Cats of all ages and breeds may shiver from time to time. Humans normally shiver when theyre cold, but according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, shivering is not always a sign of a cold body temperature in cats. If you and your cat have just come from outside where the temperatures are cooler, then theres a good chance that your cat is shivering because theyre cold. However, your cat may be shaking for a few other reasons.

Fear

Fear is a common cause of shivering in cats. Cats are generally anxious when their routine is disturbed because they like consistency. Cats frequently shiver during veterinary visits and car rides. A cat that is nervous may also attempt to hide by curling up very low to the ground and tucking its tail. When approaching a cat exhibiting these body signals, exercise caution; it’s best to give them some space if the cat hisses and pins back its ears.

Why is my cat shaking? Pain is another very common cause of shivering in cats, according to Pet Health Network. Despite their reputation of being somewhat spoiled and dainty animals, cats usually dont show signs of pain until the pain is quite severe. Identifying your cats source of pain is not something to attempt at home, both because a painful kitty is likely to lash out at you in attempts to defend themself, but also because isolating the source takes expert veterinary training. Although the average pet parent wont be able to accurately interpret that pain, if your cat begins open mouth breathing, appears reluctant to move or has a broken limb or large wound, it is essential to seek immediate veterinary care — even if that means an emergency visit.

The list of reasons a cat may shiver or tremble appears to go on forever in addition to these causes. It is theoretically possible for anything that can make a cat sick to make them shiver or tremble. Any given day, you might ask yourself, “Why is my cat shaking?” If something feels off, follow your instincts and see your veterinarian.

FAQ

What should I do if my cat is shaking?

Shaking uncontrollably, loss of muscle control, loss of bowel and/or bladder control, excessive drooling and a loss of awareness of surroundings all indicate that there is a neurological cause, such as a seizure. This warrants emergency veterinary intervention.

Do cats shiver when sick?

Depending on the underlying cause, your cat may display one or more of the following symptoms if they are suffering from a fever: Lack of appetite. Weakness or lethargy. Shivering.

Is shaking a cat okay?

Never Physically Reprimand a Cat Hitting or shaking your cat can scare them, create hand-shyness or potentially cause harm. You’re more likely to experience these unintended consequences than to teach a lesson. Similarly, yelling at your cat can stress them out and over-emphasize the attention to bad behavior.

Do cats shake when happy?

Excitement or Anticipation: While shaking is often associated with negative emotions, it can also occur in response to positive ones. Cats may shake with excitement or anticipation, particularly during playtime or when expecting treats or food.