What It Is:
A seizure in cats is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, resulting in involuntary body movements, behavior changes, or altered awareness. Seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and may occur once or repeatedly.
While they can look frightening, not all seizures are emergencies. The key is determining what’s causing them and how often they occur.
🐾 Common Signs of a Seizure
- Collapsing or falling over
- Rigid or twitching muscles
- Paddling legs or jerking movements
- Loss of consciousness (in some cases)
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Involuntary urination or defecation
- Vocalization (yowling or howling)
- Staring into space or unresponsive behavior (focal seizures)
- Disorientation or pacing after the event (“post-ictal” phase)
Some seizures are generalized (whole-body), while others are focal (partial, affecting one area or body part).
🦠 Common Causes of Seizures in Cats
🧠 Primary (Idiopathic Epilepsy)
- Rare in cats, but possible. Usually diagnosed when no other cause is found
- Most common in young adult cats (1–5 years)
🧪 Secondary (Symptomatic Seizures)
These are seizures caused by an identifiable issue, such as:
- Brain tumor
- Head trauma
- Liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy)
- Kidney failure (uremic encephalopathy)
- Toxin exposure (e.g., lilies, flea meds for dogs, lead)
- Infections (e.g., FIP, FeLV, toxoplasmosis)
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- High blood pressure
- Thiamine deficiency (in rare, poor diets)
🔍 Diagnosis
Because seizures are a symptom, not a disease, diagnosing the underlying cause is essential.
Diagnostics may include:
- Full physical and neurological exam
- Bloodwork and urinalysis (to check liver, kidney, glucose levels, etc.)
- Blood pressure measurement
- Toxin screening (based on possible exposures)
- Advanced imaging (MRI or CT scan to look for brain abnormalities)
- Infectious disease testing (if appropriate)
If no cause is found, the cat may be diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy.
💊 Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause, frequency, and severity of the seizures.
Options include:
- Anticonvulsant medications (e.g., phenobarbital, levetiracetam/Keppra, zonisamide)
- Treatment of the underlying condition (e.g., managing liver or kidney disease)
- Emergency care for prolonged or repeated seizures
- Dietary changes or supplements (in specific cases)
- Avoiding toxins and environmental stressors
Cats with infrequent seizures may not need daily medication, but regular monitoring is important.
🚨 When It’s an Emergency
Call your vet immediately if your cat:
- Has a seizure lasting longer than 2–3 minutes
- Has multiple seizures within 24 hours
- Does not recover fully between seizures
- Is showing signs of poisoning or trauma
- Is under 6 months or over 10 years old and has their first seizure
🩺 Prognosis
Prognosis depends on the cause. Some cats live full lives with controlled epilepsy. Others may have serious underlying conditions that require long-term care.
Lifelong management is possible in many cases, especially with anticonvulsants and regular vet monitoring.
💡 Cat Owner Note
Watching your cat have a seizure is scary, but try to stay calm. Don’t try to hold or restrain them, and don’t put anything in their mouth. Let it pass, keep them safe, and note the time. Your vet will want those details.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Seizures in Cats
What should I do during a seizure?
- Stay calm
- Remove objects nearby that could injure your cat
- Do not touch their mouth
- Time the seizure
- Keep lights and noise low during and after
- Call your vet afterward for next steps
Are seizures painful for cats?
No, seizures aren’t painful. But they can be disorienting or exhausting, especially during recovery.
What causes seizures in older cats?
Brain tumors, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and metabolic issues are common triggers in senior cats.
Can a seizure be caused by flea medication?
Yes. Never use dog flea medications on cats. Some contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats and can cause seizures or death.
How are seizures treated long-term?
If they’re frequent or severe, your vet may prescribe anticonvulsant medication and monitor your cat’s blood levels regularly.
Can seizures be cured?
If caused by something treatable (e.g., toxin, low blood sugar), yes. If idiopathic or due to a brain tumor, management, not cure, is the goal.