Watching your cat experience a seizure can be one of the most terrifying moments for a pet owner. The sudden twitching, loss of control, and disorientation can leave you feeling helpless. But what exactly are they?

Cat seizures are sudden and uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain.  This leads to involuntary movements, muscle spasms, and sometimes, unconsciousness. These can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes and may vary in severity. 

Some cats experience only mild twitching, while others may go through full-body convulsions. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about seizures so you’ll be prepared.

What Does a Seizure Look Like in Cats?

Not all seizures in cats are the same. Some are mild, while others can be severe and life-threatening. Here are the two main types of seizures in cats: 

Generalized Seizures

Generalized seizures, otherwise called grand mal seizures, are the most dramatic and recognizable types. Since a larger portion of the cat’s brain is affected, this results in full-body spasms. Your cat might suddenly collapse, lose consciousness, and show muscle spasms. This may last for 1 to 3 minutes. Some of the common signs of this type include:

• Drooling

• Stiffening of the body

• Paddling of the legs

• Twitching of the face

• Foaming at the mouth

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Collapse or temporary loss of consciousness

Partial Seizures

Partial seizures are considerably less serious than their generalized version. In this type of seizure, cats experience localized body effects since only a localized part of the brain is affected.

Some of the common signs of partial seizures in cats are:

• Drooling

• Twitching of the face

• Vocalization

• Disorientation

• Unusual muscle movements

What Causes Cat Seizures?

Since they are a symptom, cat seizures are caused by health issues. These can be neurological issues or external factors that affect the body. In other instances, the cause is unknown. 

Neurological Causes

• Brain Tumors. These can put pressure on the surrounding tissue, causing seizures. However, brain tumors are uncommon in cats.

• Inflammatory Brain Diseases. Infections and autoimmune responses can inflame the brain’s tissues and cause seizures in cats.

• Head Trauma. Seizures in cats can be caused by direct injuries to the head. These can happen immediately or develop later.

• Congenital Brain Abnormalities. Some cats are born with structural brain defects that lead to neurological problems and seizures.

Other Causes

• Toxicity and Poisoning. Exposure to toxic substances such as antifreeze, pesticides, certain medications, and household chemicals can trigger seizures. 

• Liver Disease. Cat seizures can also be caused by liver disease. This happens when the liver fails to filter out toxins from the blood, leading to toxin accumulation in the brain.

• Kidney Disease. In advanced kidney disease, waste products build up in the blood and cause seizures.

• Hypoglycemia. When blood sugar levels get too low, the cat’s brain doesn’t receive enough energy, leading to impaired function. This leads to seizures.

• Hypertension. High blood pressure can damage the brain’s blood vessels, potentially leading to seizures in cats.

Can Food Cause Seizures in Cats?

Yes, some foods, such as grapes, raisins, garlic, and chocolate, can potentially cause convulsions and seizures in cats. These foods contain certain toxins, such as theobromine in chocolate, that result in seizures. 

What are the Phases of Cat Seizures?

Generally, seizures have three stages.

• Pre-Ictal Phase. Also known as aura, this phase happens before the actual seizure. This phase can last for a few seconds to several minutes. Here, cats display varying behavioral changes, such as increased affection, hiding, or vocalization. 

• Ictus Phase. This phase is the actual seizure, where the cat’s brain experiences a change in electrical activity. This phase can also last for a few seconds to several minutes.

• Postictal Phase. The postictal phase is the recovery phase. This is the phase where cats recuperate while still feeling disoriented, dazed, and confused.

What to Do if Your Cat Is Having a Seizure?

If your cat is having a seizure, then it’s important to act quickly and seek help. But before that, here are the initial steps you need to take: 

1. Stay Calm

The first step is to stay calm. Your cat is not aware of what is currently happening, so it’s up to you to help. Don’t touch or restrain them. Instead, focus on removing anything nearby that might injure your cat during its seizures. 

As much as possible, we recommend not touching your cat, especially near its face. This is because seizing cats may bite you without them knowing. 

2. Keep Your Cat Safe

A good way to start is to provide pillows around your cat. This will help keep it safe and avoid any injuries from sharp or hard surfaces.

However, you will need to move them gently to a safer place if they are on a staircase. Do this by wrapping your hands with a towel and gently carrying your cat to a safer place.

3. Call Emergency Services and Take Notes

Once you have secured your cat, call emergency services. They’ll guide you on what to do during the episodes. Also, try to take notes about the seizure. You can do this by either listing down details or taking a video of the entire duration. 

This will be helpful in diagnosing what is causing your cat’s seizures. After the seizure, you must bring your cat to the clinic right away.