It would make things so much easier and would ease a lot of our stress and anxiety, however, that’s not the case.
Our cats can display some behaviors that look downright weird, and we have no idea of what they’re up to.
Much like with humans, cats will have lots of different reasons for shaking and will sometimes not know what the cause of the behavior is.
However, some are more serious than others and should be treated accordingly.
To avoid too much stress and to make sure your cat stays safe, follow our guide to find out why your cat is shaking.
Stress In Cats
Cats, much like other forms of living creatures, will display signs of stress and anxiety in lots of different ways.
One of the main ways that cats will show signs of this is with shaking.
This can range from just their entire body shaking or just specific parts of it.
The reason behind this behavior isn’t always known but it is usually because your cat feels uncomfortable.
When it comes to shaking, there are two main causes for it.
The first one is when an animal becomes stressed due to changes in its environment or surroundings.
These kinds of changes could include new people, places, noises, smells, etc.
They might also come into contact with other animals that may be dangerous to them.
Whatever the cause, you need to keep these factors in mind if you want to help your cat stop shaking.
The second reason behind shaking is when a cat has been exposed to something that makes it feel anxious.
For example, a cat may start shaking after being around another animal that scares it.
Or maybe they get scared by loud noises or bright lights.
As long as the source of the fear factor remains unknown, you need to understand that your cat will continue to shake until they calm down.
Kidney Disease
A more serious cause of shaking with cats is kidney disease, which will need addressing as soon as possible with a trip to the vets.
If you notice any unusual behavior in your cat, such as shaking, then you should always consider taking them to a medical professional.
There they will be able to investigate the cause and see how best to treat it.
Feline Hyperthyroidism
Another condition that can lead to shaking is feline hyperthyroidism.
This happens when a cat suffers from high levels of thyroid hormones, which in turn results in excessive trembling.
When this occurs, it needs to be dealt with immediately since this can put the cat at risk of developing heart problems and even death.
If you suspect that your cat is suffering from this condition, you must seek treatment quickly.
Once the problem is treated, your cat will start to become their old selves once again.
Low Blood Sugar
Much like with humans, with a low amount of blood sugar, cats will start to shake.
This is down to a lack of energy and hunger. Low levels of blood sugar will result in tiredness and feeling hungry all the time.
So, if you think that your cat is showing signs of shaking due to having low levels of blood sugar, you need to take action.
Blood tests will tell you if their glucose levels are too low and are very treatable.
To fix this issue, you need to ensure that your cat gets plenty of food and water each day.
You must also monitor their weight closely so that you can spot any sudden changes in appetite.
Again, blood tests can help with this condition in extreme situations.
Infections
Some types of infections can cause cats to shake.
For example, feline herpesvirus (FHV) can lead to symptoms similar to those displayed by people who suffer from shingles.
FHV causes blisters on the head and face of your cat and will often leave them sore for weeks afterward.
You must keep an eye out for any sign of these blisters appearing on your pet.
Other infections can cause your cat to shake because there are potentially harmful bacteria present in its body.
In most cases, this means that antibiotics will have to be used to combat the infection.
However, you must never give your cat any medication without consulting a vet first.
Cold Body Temperature
Cats don’t sweat but instead use their saliva glands to regulate their temperature.
They do this by licking themselves before going outside.
A cold body temperature can occur when a cat doesn’t want to go outside due to the weather conditions.
Cold temperatures might make them shake for no apparent reason.
It’s recommended that you shelter your cat during these times of the year.
Also, try not to let them sleep outside in the winter months.
Instead, place them somewhere warm where they can snuggle up under a blanket and stay safe while they wait for spring.
Using a heating pad is a great way of ensuring that they stay at a consistently warm temperature for a long period of time.
Loss Of Appetite
We mentioned earlier about low blood sugar which can cause shaking, however, this can sometimes be caused by a loss of appetite.
If your cat suddenly stops eating or loses interest in food, this could mean that there’s something wrong.
The best thing to do in this instance is to get the cat checked out by your vet.
Pregnancy
A pregnant cat may experience a change in her behavior. During pregnancy, female cats tend to lose their desire to eat.
As such, she will stop eating as well as be less interested in making herself comfortable.
Because of the lack of willingness to eat, they will tend to shake and start to feel weak.
As a pet parent, this can be concerning because pregnancies aren’t always entirely visible in the early stages.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, shaking in cats can be caused by lots of different things with varying effects, ranging from lack of appetite to falling blood sugar levels.
When you notice your cat shaking, the best thing you can do is take them to the vets to find out what’s causing this unusual behavior.
Be sure to pay attention to any signs of illness including excessive vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite.
This will allow you to catch problems like dehydration or even kidney failure before they become serious.
Always stay calm in these situations to make sure that you make the right decision.
After all, nothing is more important than your cat’s health.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
