Cats are animals with a lot of personality and, for each situation; they react in a way, sometimes leaving their tutors confused. Anyone who is a cat tutor is used to strange noises, adverse reactions and different attitudes.
Have you ever noticed your cat shaking for no apparent reason? Don't know what that means?
A shivering cat could just be a habitual purr or something that needs more attention. In this text, we are going to talk about why cats shake, when it is a concern and what to do to identify the different tremors in cats. Read on!
Why is my cat shaking?
Having a cat at home means always watching and noticing the felines' movements and attitudes. And this action becomes very important to identify possible problems that your kitten may have.
This is because there are several scenarios that can make the cat shiver, simple cases such as cold and fear and others that are a little more serious, such as diseases that must be evaluated. Below, we list the main reasons that make cats shake:
Simple causes
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Cats purr when they want to express feelings of tranquility, pleasure, satisfaction, anger, pain or hunger. As purring is directly linked to the bone that the feline has in the throat, known as the hyoid, when purring kittens can shake too.
Sleeping
Who doesn't like to sleep comfortably, in their own warm environment? It is normal to see cats shivering in their sleep when they are cold or dreaming.
In this case, it is important to increase the temperature of the room with a heater or cover the kitten with a blanket.
It's only important to be aware if your cat has any health problems, as in that case, night tremors could mean something more serious.
Fear or stress
When kittens feel threatened or insecure, one of the reactions can be trembling. This is more common to be observed in young kittens, which are not used to the environment and the people around them.
The ideal, in that case, is to leave your kitten alone. Don't force interactions and don't try to stick around all the time. This can make him more stressed and create a bad feeling between you.
Provide a safe environment with food, water and a comfortable place to lie down!
Reasons to pay attention
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar can be identified with possible cat tremors and usually signals that your kitten has been without food for a long time. Solve with a pot of food and soon the shaking will pass.
For diabetic kittens, it's important to be aware if the tremors don't pass, seeking help with the vet.
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Shivering in pain is common in cats that have recently had surgery, neutering or simpler operations. This is a scenario where he is in pain and is not usually a more serious problem.
The important thing is to follow the veterinarian's guidelines and observe if your kitten has other types of reactions. If the tremor does not stop, look for the veterinarian, who will be able to prescribe an analgesic or assess whether everything is going well after the surgery.
Fever
Fever is a symptom of illnesses such as flu and infections, which should be treated directly with a veterinarian.
Only a specialized professional will be able to identify your kitten's symptoms, evaluate and indicate the best treatment for him at that time.
Stay tuned for signs like: lack of appetite, prostration, different meows. Also observe if he is careless with personal hygiene, which is very important for cats. If he stops licking himself, be suspicious.
Neurological problems
One of the serious causes with regards to cat shaking is neurological problems. In that case, it is possible to perceive involuntary movements, tremors, vomiting and even seizures.
The important thing is to be attentive and, if something happens in this regard, go to the veterinarian immediately.
Hyperesthesia
A not very common syndrome for cats is hyperesthesia. But even though it's not so common, it's important to know that it can cause tremors in the cat's back.
Possible causes of hyperesthesia are: factors in the environment that affect the hypothalamus and the limbic system, hyperactive cats, stress, genetics, skin parasites such as fleas , fungi, scabies and even epilepsy.
If your cat is very agitated or hyperactive, identify contributing factors. When elderly cats show great agitation, for example, the reason may be linked to hyperthyroidism.
See other symptoms of hyperesthesia:
nervousness
behavior changes
Wiggling the tail while trying to lick or bite it
Run around the house like you're scared
Ripples the skin on the back and becomes irritated if touched in the region
Convulsions and spasms
Excessive licking of the lower back, anus and tail
Dilated pupils during seizures
unusual meows
Weight loss and self-injury.
Cat shaking hind legs
The weakness of the cat's hind legs can be associated with many different reasons, such as ear infections, a possible blow, wrong feeding and problems with the spine. In addition to trembling in the hind legs, it can also be observed if the cat is staggering.
Otitis, trauma and problems with the spine must be identified and treated with the help of a specialist.
Remembering that the lack of nutrients suitable for your kitten's age and size may also be responsible for reducing the body's immunity as a whole, making organs and structures weaker and susceptible to future problems.
What to do when the cat is shaking?
Observe. The most important recommendation is to pay attention to changes in behavior and consult a professional.
Being able to identify other signs and check whether it could be something serious or not is essential for diagnosing why your cat is shaking. Involuntary movements and spasms, for example, can be a sign of more complex diseases.
The sooner treatment is started, the better the results. Always be aware of your kitten's health!