When to see a vet urgently
Seek emergency care immediately if tremors are accompanied by any of the following:
- Your cat cannot stand, collapses or becomes less conscious.
- Breathing becomes difficult or your cat breathes with its mouth open.
- A seizure continues, or seizures recur without normal recovery between them.
- Your cat may have been exposed to a permethrin product for dogs or another poison.
Do not wait for symptoms to worsen after exposure to a poison. Contact the practice immediately; you can find a vet near you.
Overview
Tremors appear as shaking of the head, limbs or whole body. In a cat, they may be brief, for example with stress or cold, or continuous and associated with neurological or toxic disorders. Their intensity ranges from barely noticeable trembling to strong jerking movements that interfere with normal activity.
The appearance of a tremor alone does not reveal its cause. A movement described as trembling may instead be isolated muscle twitches or movements during a seizure. Tremors and seizures are different. A seizure may involve stiffening, paddling of the limbs or abnormal behaviour, for example. However, remaining conscious does not, on its own, rule out a focal epileptic seizure.
An intention tremor originating in the cerebellum may become more pronounced as a cat reaches for food or a toy. The cerebellum helps regulate precise movement and balance. Congenital underdevelopment of the cerebellum in a kitten may become apparent only when it starts walking. This differs from sudden shaking in an adult cat, which needs investigation as a new symptom.
Causes
- Poisoning, including pyrethroids such as permethrin in dog tick treatments, chocolate, medicines and heavy metals.
- Neurological diseases, including encephalitis, meningitis and brain tumours.
- Metabolic disorders, including low blood sugar, low calcium and hepatic encephalopathy.
- Stress, fear and becoming cold.
- Congenital disorders, including inherited tremors in some family lines.
- Consequences of head or spinal cord injuries.
This list brings together different possibilities, and the cause cannot be determined from trembling alone. A metabolic problem can cause dramatic signs that look neurological without a primary brain disease being present. A seizure caused by a poison or low blood sugar does not automatically mean a cat has long-term epilepsy.
Permethrin poisoning can occur even if the dog product has not been applied to the cat. A cat may be exposed by licking a treated dog or through close contact with it. Symptoms can be delayed. Report suspected exposure to the vet immediately, even if your cat still looks normal.
Congenital tremors are not always inherited. Cerebellar hypoplasia, for example, may be associated with feline panleukopenia virus infection during pregnancy. However, a kitten's movement difficulty cannot be labelled on that basis alone: other developmental abnormalities and diseases can cause similar signs.
Risk factors
- Kittens, more often because of low blood sugar and congenital disorders.
- Older cats, because of neurological and metabolic disorders.
- Cats with access to toxic substances.
- Cats with chronic liver, kidney or hormonal diseases.
Risk factors are not a diagnosis or a precise ranking of likelihood. New tremors need investigation even in an adult cat that previously seemed healthy. Tell the practice about previous illnesses, all medicines and recent changes. Parasite products used on other household animals and pesticides applied in the environment may also matter when assessing exposure.
Typical symptoms
- Rhythmic trembling of the head, paws or whole body.
- Tremors becoming stronger with excitement, exertion or stress.
- Difficulty moving and unsteadiness.
- Other signs of the underlying illness, such as vomiting, seizures, weakness or loss of consciousness.
Safely record a short video if you can do so without delaying departure for treatment. Note the start time, duration and whether the movement affects the whole body or one area. Report whether your cat responds to your voice, can walk and what happens afterwards. These observations are useful even if the symptom has stopped by the appointment.
Poisoning may involve drooling, vomiting, loss of balance and unusual sensitivity to surroundings. A symptom-free interval does not rule out a seizure disorder. Watch appetite and recovery too, but do not try to reproduce a possible trigger by exposing your cat again to a medicine, chemical or other suspected substance.
Complications and consequences
- Falls and injuries during severe tremors.
- Progression to a seizure syndrome.
- Exhaustion from increased muscular activity.
- A life-threatening condition in severe poisoning or metabolic disorders.
Tremors do not inevitably progress to epilepsy. However, some poisons and metabolic disorders can cause both tremors and seizures. Strong, continuous muscle activity can raise body temperature, and severe poisoning may also compromise breathing and organ function. Controlling the symptoms and stabilising the cat are then urgent priorities.
Diagnosis at the vet
- Neurological examination.
- Blood tests, including glucose, calcium, electrolytes, liver and kidney values.
- Toxicological investigations.
- Ultrasound and X-rays if other diseases are suspected.
- Brain MRI or CT for neurological causes.
Assessment begins with breathing, circulation, temperature and consciousness. The neurological examination includes posture, gait, coordination and reflexes. Together these help locate the problem; one abnormal movement alone does not identify the site of a lesion. Treatment may need to start before all results are available.
Blood tests look for correctable disturbances in the body. Normal basic blood tests do not rule out every brain disease or cerebellar hypoplasia, for example. The need for imaging depends on the examination findings and the course of symptoms. Cerebrospinal fluid examination may be considered to investigate inflammatory disease, among other reasons, when collection is judged safe.
When investigating poisoning, packaging details and an account of events can be decisive. There is no single general confirmatory test for every poison. Permethrin exposure, for example, is assessed from symptoms and possible contact, so treatment is not delayed while awaiting a specific toxicology result.
Treatment
Treatment targets the cause. In poisoning, the aim is to prevent further exposure and control tremors, any seizures and temperature changes. Necessary fluids and other support are provided at the same time. Permethrin has no specific antidote, but symptomatic hospital treatment can still be effective.
Correction of low blood sugar or an electrolyte disturbance is planned according to measurements and your cat's condition. Inflammatory, structural and other neurological diseases may require different ongoing treatment. Do not treat tremors yourself with human sedatives, and do not use supplements as a substitute for investigating the cause.
Safety and monitoring at home
Remove sharp objects from around your cat and prevent falls down stairs or from raised surfaces. Do not put fingers or objects into the mouth of a cat having a seizure: it will not swallow its tongue, and you may be bitten. Do not force food or water into its mouth if it is not fully awake or cannot swallow normally.
If poisoning is suspected, take the product or a photograph of its label with you. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. Ask the practice for instructions before cleaning the coat, because a cat with severe symptoms needs stabilising first. Washing must not delay departure for emergency care.
Home care begins only once the vet considers it safe. Follow the prescribed medication and report unsuccessful administration. Do not stop any ongoing epilepsy medication suddenly. Record new episodes, eating and walking ability; promptly report breathing difficulty, loss of appetite or another deterioration.
Prognosis
The prognosis depends on the cause and severity. Promptly treated poisoning may resolve, while severe neurological signs or organ damage worsen the outlook. Medication cannot correct cerebellar hypoplasia in a kitten, but a safe home and easily accessible feeding areas can help it manage daily life. This developmental disorder is not itself painful or contagious.
Prevention
- Prevent access to toxic substances, including dog products, medicines and household chemicals.
- Provide appropriate nutrition to help prevent low blood sugar and calcium.
- Take older cats for regular examinations.
- Reduce stressors.
Use only an external parasite product labelled as suitable for cats, and follow warnings on products used for other household animals too. A smaller amount of a dog product does not make it safe for a cat. Store medicines and chemicals where your cat cannot lick them or damage their packaging.
The diet should be balanced, but new tremors are not a reason to start calcium supplements yourself. Reducing stress does not treat poisoning or another physical cause. Medication and check-ups for chronic illnesses are tailored to your cat's needs.
Important for cat owners
Trembling in a cat always signals an underlying problem. Sometimes it may be harmless, such as shivering from cold, but more often it is associated with poisoning or neurological disease. Remember that if your cat starts trembling, particularly with weakness or seizures, you should seek veterinary care promptly.
Trembling alone cannot establish whether poisoning, neurological disease or another cause is most common. A previously diagnosed harmless or stable symptom does not automatically explain new, different shaking either. Contact a vet about recurrent or changed symptoms.
This article provides general information and does not replace veterinary care. If you suspect poisoning, contact a vet immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is trembling the same as an epileptic seizure?
No. Tremors, muscle twitches and epileptic seizures can look similar. A video and an account of events help distinguish them. Remaining conscious does not rule out a focal seizure on its own.
Can a dog's tick treatment cause tremors in a cat?
Yes, if the cat is exposed to a product toxic to it, such as a permethrin product for dogs. Exposure can also occur through a treated dog. Contact a vet immediately rather than waiting for symptoms.
Why does my kitten's head tremble while eating?
Movement-related trembling may indicate a problem with cerebellar function. Underdevelopment, for example, may become apparent when reaching for food, but the cause is established through examination rather than a video alone.
Does every cat with tremors need an MRI?
No. The first steps assess condition, exposure history, neurological findings and relevant blood tests. Imaging is chosen when findings or the course of symptoms warrant it.
This article is for general information only and is not a guide to treatment. If you notice the first signs of illness, contact your vet.
Paw4care editorial team
Sources
- The Neurologic Examination of Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed 2026-11-04.
- Seizures and Epilepsy in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-04.
- Epilepsy in Small Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed 2026-11-04.
- Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-04.
- Pyrethrin/Pyrethroid Poisoning in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals, accessed 2026-11-04.
- Permethrin toxicity in cats, PDSA, accessed 2026-11-04.
- Poisons, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, accessed 2026-11-04.