Seizures in cats – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. A seizure is a sign that a cat’s brain is not functioning normally.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet today.
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
  4. Keep fresh water available.
  5. Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine.
  • Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

A seizure is not a disease but a sign of abnormal functioning of the brain.[1] Most seizures in cats happen while they are relaxed and resting quietly.[1] A seizure is an emergency, so contact your veterinary team straight away.[1]

Signs

  • Drooling
  • Growling
  • Pacing
  • Sudden collapse
  • Loss of awareness
  • Violent shaking of all four legs
  • Rigid legs or paddling and running movements
  • Chewing or twitching of the face
  • Passing urine or faeces
  • Eyelid or facial twitching

How vets treat it

  • A vet may use medication to control seizures.
  • If an underlying cause is found, treatment will focus on that primarily; medication to control seizures may also be needed, at least at first.

What the experts say

“If an underlying cause for your cat’s seizures is found, treatment will be focused on that primarily, but medications to control seizures may also be needed, at least at first.”

— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What is a seizure in a cat?

A seizure is not a disease but a sign of abnormal functioning of the brain.[1]

When should I contact a vet?

This is an emergency, so contact your veterinary team straight away.[1]

How may a vet treat seizures?

If an underlying cause is found, treatment will focus on that primarily, and medication to control seizures may also be needed, at least at first.[1]

Sources

  1. International Cat Care (iCatCare)

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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