What this means
Tremors can look very different: a fine shaking of the whole body, a head that trembles when the cat tries to look at something or reach it, shaking legs, or twitching of single muscles. Write down which part of the body is shaking, when it starts, whether the cat is aware and responds to you at the time, and how long it lasts. A short video helps a vet more than a description.
In a kitten or young cat, trembling can be a sign of an inherited or developmental condition. A trembling head is sometimes one of the first signs, while the kitten still seems healthy, and only later does it start to sway or move clumsily. Muscle tremors together with weakness, a stiff walk or reluctance to jump are also worth noting. A vet needs to assess these conditions, and there is no need to guess the cause or how it will go.
A cat can also tremble for quite ordinary reasons, for example when it is cold or frightened. But trembling that keeps returning, does not pass by itself, appears in a calm setting or comes with weakness, vomiting or a poor appetite is a reason to see a vet. It matters to tell trembling from a seizure, so it is worth filming any twitching you cannot explain.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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An inherited muscle or energy-store disease in young cats
When the body cannot properly use its energy stores, the muscles tremble and weaken. A kitten may walk stiffly and move less.
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An inherited storage disease affecting nerve cells
Substances build up in the nerve cells, so a kitten's head trembles, it sways and its movements are poorly coordinated.
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Low blood sugar
When energy runs short, especially in a very small kitten or a sick cat, tremors, weakness and dullness can appear.
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Cold, fear, pain or excitement
Cats also tremble for ordinary reasons. If it keeps returning or your cat seems unwell, it is still worth asking a vet.
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Something toxic
A poisoned cat may tremble, sway or twitch. This needs urgent veterinary help.
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A seizure
Sometimes odd twitching is a seizure, in which the cat is no longer aware of its surroundings. A vet needs to find the cause.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Which part of the body shakes: the head, the legs or the whole body
- Whether it happens at rest, or when your cat moves or tries to reach something
- Whether your cat is aware and responds to your voice at the time
- Whether there is also weakness, a stiff walk or reluctance to jump
- Whether a kitten eats and grows like its littermates
- Whether it keeps coming back and how long it lasts
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your cat or kitten trembles or twitches and it keeps returning, lasts longer or happens in a calm setting. A kitten whose head trembles is worth showing as soon as you can. Film the tremor and show the video to the vet.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Glycogen storage disease Hormones and metabolism An inherited metabolic disease in which the body cannot properly build and use glycogen, the store of sugar that the muscles, liver and nerves draw their energy from. It shows itself in kittens and young cats.
- GM1 gangliosidosis Nerves and muscles An inherited storage disease in which the body lacks an enzyme that breaks down certain fatty substances. They build up in nerve cells, especially in the brain, and gradually disrupt their work.
Body systems: Hormones and metabolism Nerves and muscles