Seizures in Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

One moment your cat is curled up on the couch. The next, their body stiffens, their legs start paddling, and you have no idea what is happening.

It is one of the scariest things a pet owner can witness. And the hardest part? You feel completely helpless.

If your cat has ever had a seizure, or you simply want to be prepared, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is a Cat Seizure?

A seizure is caused by a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can look very different from one cat to another. Some cats shake violently and lose consciousness. Others stare blankly, twitch slightly, or seem completely unaware of their surroundings.

True epilepsy is actually rare in cats. In most cases, a seizure is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a standalone diagnosis.

Signs and Symptoms of a Cat Seizure

Symptoms can vary but the most common signs include:

• Sudden loss of balance or falling over
• Muscle stiffness or uncontrollable shaking
• Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Staring blankly or seeming unaware of surroundings
• Unusual vocalizing or sudden restlessness

Some signs are subtle and easy to miss. If your cat shows any of these behaviors repeatedly or without explanation, a virtual care consultation is a good first step.

The Three Phases of a Seizure

Most seizures follow a predictable pattern. Knowing these phases helps you stay calm and give your vet useful details.

• Before (pre-ictal phase): Your cat may pace, vocalize, seem restless, or look for extra attention. This can last from a few seconds to several hours.
• During (ictal phase): The active seizure. Muscles contract, the cat may fall, paddle their legs, drool, or briefly lose consciousness. Most seizures last one to three minutes.
• After (post-ictal phase): Your cat may seem confused, wobbly, temporarily blind, or unusually clingy. This recovery phase is normal and can last minutes to a few hours.

Types of Seizures in Cats

• Focal seizures are the most common. They affect only part of the brain and cause localized movements. There is usually no loss of consciousness, so they are easy to miss.
• Generalized seizures affect the whole body. These are the dramatic, full-convulsion episodes most people recognize.
• Psychomotor seizures involve strange repetitive behaviors, like snapping at the air or sudden bursts of running. These are often mistaken for odd cat behavior.

What Causes Seizures in Cats?

Causes fall into two broad categories.

Outside the brain (extracranial):

• Toxin exposure, especially permethrin-based flea products
• Liver or kidney disease
• Low blood sugar
• High blood pressure
• Thyroid disease

Inside the brain (intracranial):

• Brain tumors
• Infections or brain inflammation
• Head trauma
• Stroke

Age can be a clue. Younger cats around 3 to 4 years old are more likely to have idiopathic epilepsy. Cats closer to 8 years or older are more likely to have a structural or metabolic cause.

What to Do During a Seizure

• Do not hold or restrain your cat
• Clear the area of sharp objects or furniture
• Note the exact start time
• Dim lights and reduce noise if possible
• Record it on your phone if you safely can - a video is one of the most helpful things you can bring to a vet visit

Once it ends, keep your cat somewhere quiet and warm. They will likely be disoriented. Speak softly and let them settle on their own.

When to Go to the Emergency Vet

Go immediately if:

• The seizure lasts longer than 3 to 5 minutes
• Multiple seizures happen within 24 hours
• Your cat does not return to normal within 30 minutes
• It is your cat's very first seizure

Back-to-back seizures without recovery, known as status epilepticus, are life-threatening and need urgent care. If your cat is showing these signs, head to an urgent care vet right away.

How Vets Diagnose the Cause

A seizure is a symptom. The real work is finding what is causing it. Your vet will typically start with a physical and neurological exam, blood and urine tests, blood pressure measurement, radiographs (x-rays) and screening for thyroid and infectious diseases.

If no clear cause emerges, advanced imaging such as an MRI or CT scan, sometimes paired with spinal fluid analysis, may be the next step. This is often where a veterinary neurologist gets involved.

Getting to the root cause early gives your cat a much better chance at the right treatment. Diagnostic tests play a central role in building that plan.

Treatment and Long-Term Care

Treatment depends entirely on the cause. Toxin exposure, high blood pressure, or organ disease are addressed by treating the underlying condition first. For cats with recurring seizures or epilepsy, long-term anticonvulsant medication is typically needed. Phenobarbital is the most common option, with levetiracetam and zonisamide gaining popularity as alternatives.

Complete prevention is not always possible. The goal for most cats is reducing seizure frequency by at least 50% with minimal side effects.

A few habits that help at home:

• Keep a seizure log tracking date, time, and duration
• Never stop anticonvulsant medication abruptly
• Schedule regular checkups to monitor medication levels

With the right care, many cats with seizure disorders go on to live full and happy lives.

If you are in Greater Boston and your cat has had a seizure or you are concerned about their neurological health, our local veterinary experts at Tandem are here to help. We will work with you to find answers and build a care plan that puts your cat's quality of life first.