Cat Seizures: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Can Do

Witnessing your cat have a seizure is a moment that stays with you. One minute your cat may seem perfectly fine, purring or rubbing against your leg, and the next, their body stiffens, they tremble, or even lose consciousness. As frightening as it looks, seizures are symptoms, not a diagnosis. At Willow Wood Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you navigate this journey with clarity, care, and preparedness.

What Exactly Happens During a Seizure?

A seizure is caused by a sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. These episodes can look very different from one cat to another. Some seizures involve violent convulsions, while others may appear as subtle twitching, zoning out, or even staring spells. International Cat Care provides a thorough explanation of how seizures manifest in cats and why they vary.

There are three key phases of a seizure. The first, called the pre-ictal phase or aura, may involve restlessness, vocalizing, or clingy behavior. Then comes the ictal phase, which is the seizure itself. This can include limb paddling, drooling, stiffening, or loss of consciousness. Finally, the post-ictal phase follows, during which your cat may seem disoriented, wobbly, or temporarily blind. Some cats recover quickly, while others may take hours to return to normal.

Seizures may last only a few seconds, or they may go on for several minutes. If a seizure continues for more than five minutes, or if your cat experiences multiple seizures in a short period without regaining consciousness in between, it becomes a medical emergency called status epilepticus.

Why Seizures Happen and Why It Matters

Seizures are rarely random. They’re usually a sign of an underlying problem. In young, otherwise healthy cats, the cause is sometimes labeled as idiopathic epilepsy, meaning no obvious trigger can be identified. Hill’s Pet outlines the most common seizure types and what might cause them.

Other causes include:

  • Metabolic conditions, such as liver shunts, kidney failure, or dangerously low blood sugar
  • Infectious or inflammatory brain diseases, like toxoplasmosis or feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
  • Structural issues, including brain tumors, which are more common in older cats. NC State Veterinary Hospital explains how these present and are diagnosed.
  • Toxins, including antifreeze, human medications (especially antidepressants and ADHD drugs), certain essential oils, or exposure to toxic plants and cleaning products. ASPCA Pro has a detailed list of common culprits.
  • One lesser-known but important cause is feline audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS). These seizures are triggered by specific sounds, like the clinking of utensils, rustling foil, or high-pitched electronic beeps.

Understanding the root cause is critical. Seizures can worsen over time if the underlying issue goes untreated.

Recognizing the Signs

Not all seizures are dramatic. Some cats show convulsive symptoms like twitching, collapsing, or drooling. Others may simply stare off, smack their lips, or appear startled. Some may yowl, urinate, or defecate involuntarily.

Afterward, your cat might seem groggy, confused, or unusually clingy. You might notice unsteady walking, bumping into objects, or a general “out of it” demeanor.

Because these signs can be subtle or mistaken for other behaviors, documenting what you see is important. A short video recorded during or after an episode can provide your veterinarian with valuable clues and shorten the time it takes to reach a diagnosis. AAHA’s emergency checklist is a good tool for determining when a seizure requires immediate care.

Diagnosing Your Cat

We take a thorough and personalized approach to diagnosis at Willow Wood Animal Hospital. The first step is a complete physical and neurologic exam, followed by baseline diagnostics:

  • Bloodwork to assess liver and kidney function, glucose levels, and electrolytes
  • Urinalysis to rule out urinary infections or underlying metabolic conditions
  • Blood pressure measurement, as hypertension can contribute to neurologic signs
  • Toxin screening, especially if ingestion is suspected

In more persistent or unexplained cases, advanced diagnostics may be recommended:

Test Purpose
MRI or CT Scan Identifies brain tumors, structural abnormalities, inflammation, or bleeding
CSF Tap (Spinal Tap) Checks for central nervous system infections or inflammation
Fecal testing Screens for parasitic causes like toxoplasmosis

If your cat is actively seizing or showing signs of neurologic emergency, we’ll provide immediate supportive care while working quickly to stabilize them and identify the cause.

Treatment Options and Management

Treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis. If your cat is diagnosed with epilepsy or another seizure disorder, we may recommend:

  • Anticonvulsant medications, like phenobarbital or levetiracetam
  • Regular blood testing, to ensure therapeutic levels of medication and check for liver function
  • Dietary changes, including therapeutic diets in cats with hepatic or metabolic disease
  • Treatment of the underlying cause, if seizures are secondary to illness or toxin exposure

For cats with a history of seizures, home care and observation are vital. Keep a seizure log that tracks the date, time, duration, symptoms, and post-seizure behavior. This can help us adjust treatment as needed.

Cats with status epilepticus or cluster seizures should be taken to an emergency hospital immediately. These situations are life-threatening and require intensive care.

Living with a Cat Who Has Seizures

It’s understandable to feel nervous or overwhelmed when managing a seizure-prone pet. But many cats can live full, happy lives with the right care and monitoring. Here are a few things you can do:

  • Create a safe environment. Remove sharp corners or high surfaces they might fall from during a seizure.
  • Avoid known triggers. For cats with sound-sensitive seizures, keep noise levels low and minimize exposure to high-pitched or crinkling sounds.
  • Stick to a routine. Cats are sensitive to changes in environment and stress. Predictable schedules help reduce anxiety that could trigger episodes.
  • Administer medications consistently. Give seizure medications at the same time daily, and don’t skip doses.

ASPCA Pet Insurance offers additional tips on home care and lifestyle adjustments for epileptic pets.

We’re Here to Help

No one wants to see their cat experience a seizure, but you’re not alone in navigating it. At Willow Wood Animal Hospital, we’re here to guide you through each step, from diagnosis to management and everything in between.

If your cat has had a seizure- or if you’re seeing behavior that seems out of the ordinary- contact us today. Together, we’ll create a care plan that keeps your cat safe, supported, and living life to the fullest.