2006-10-31 16:57:46 · 12 answers · asked by Caroline 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Happens at various times, quite often whilst sleeping. No adverse effects, perfectly happy before during and after.
2006-10-31 17:06:50 · update #1
Hi there...Twitching can be caused by a lot of things. Some of which are serious and need to be treated by a vet. While other forms of twitching may be as simple as air crossing over the fur, fleas or dandruff. This information I am posting for you is from: http://www.vetinfo.com/catneuro.html#Twitching in cats It has a lot of good information on the various types of twitching. I hope this helps.
There are a number of causes of twitching in cats, because this can be associated with pruritis (itchiness) and there are a lot of causes of pruritis. If this occurs very frequently during the day it is probably more likely to be some sort of problem with itchiness. If it occurs infrequently during the day then something like a focal seizure may be possible. These are reported in cats more frequently than in dogs (at least that is my impression, I'm not sure it is actually true). Twitching is sometimes seen with liver disorders, pancreatitis, low blood sugar and high blood sugar, as well. I think that toxoplasmosis causes enough neurologic problems that twitching could be related to it, but haven't seen that written anywhere.
One particularly common cause of twitching is feline hyperesthesia syndrome, but normally the twitching occurs more along the flanks and top of the spine near the base of the tail. Often, cats with this condition are OK unless they are touched or petted, but many will have twitching and even self-mutilation without any external stimulus.
Facial twitches have been reported with feline immunodeficiency virus infection and sometimes occur when there is periodontal disease, odontoclastic lesions of teeth or stomatitis in cats.
Ear mites make some cats twitch their heads or ears. Fleas can do this. Allergies make some cats so itchy that they have skin twitching. Mite infections (cats get several skin mites) can cause itchiness and twitching.
Your vet probably didn't see any clinical signs of skin disease or ear mites and may think that the other conditions are unlikely. If this problem is getting worse, if there is visible skin damage in addition to the twitching or if you just want to know if a cause can be identified, you should schedule a visit with your vet for this particular problem. Sometimes I forget to take things that clients mention during an exam, that isn't part of the presenting problem, seriously enough. I assume other vets might do that, too.
2006-10-31 17:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Cat Twitching
2016-10-01 08:51:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Why do cats sometimes twitch and shudder as though they are having a fit, yet they are perfectly healthy?
2015-08-05 21:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by Bertie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they are doing that while sleeping, most always it is when they are dreaming, and their bodies are somewhat acting out the dream- chasing some birds or mice, etc.
If you are seeing that when the cat is awake, take the cat to the vet and give a very detailed, exact description of what you have observed. Cats can get epilepsy, just as humans can. Or can have some other problem, as was mentioned, such as fleas, etc.
2006-10-31 20:48:46 · answer #4 · answered by galensgranny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat does it only when he's in a deep sleep and he is healthy. They're dreaming. You will find it happens in dogs too. If you feel you need to wake him then do it ever so gently but other wise leave him, he's ok - that's to say you have had him checked out by the vet.
2006-10-31 22:47:16 · answer #5 · answered by Jenna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well in their sleep they are genarally dreaming - probablies abour chasing mice or bits of string.
During the day... well i would twitch and shudder if i had all that hair and people stroking my spine all the time.
2006-10-31 19:32:58 · answer #6 · answered by Sophia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theyre dreaming, perfectly normal.
2006-10-31 22:22:55 · answer #7 · answered by Secret Squirrel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans do it too. Ever had a chill run up your spine or felt the need to stretch or itch when there was nothing there to bother your skin? Same thing.
2006-10-31 17:05:54 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it is because they can either hear something very sudden but quiet or they can sense a spirit sceptical people may not believe this but babies and cats can see spirits my cats always are looking in dark corners suddenly but i am never afraid
2006-10-31 21:30:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
that doesn't sound good, they're not stretching r they?
Is there always a certain time they do it? Like when waking up?
2006-10-31 17:01:03 · answer #10 · answered by Robin 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋