Cats, like people, can start shaking to keep warm. There might be a problem however if your cat seems to shiver and tremble all the time without any apparent reason.
1. Hypoglycemia
Lowered blood sugar, or hypoglycaemia, is a common cause of shaking in cats. It generally occurs, like in humans, when a cat hasn’t eaten for some time. By feeding them dinner or a treat, their blood sugar levels should raise and shaking desist.
Low blood sugar levels can also result when a cat is suffering from digestive problems like vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. Encouraging the cat to eat in such a case is also the solution.
If a cat refuses to eat, out of fussiness or because they feel ill, placing a drop of honey in their mouth (no more than a tablespoon) can quickly elevate blood sugar levels and restore them to appropriate levels.
2. Hyperthermia
A cat with an advanced infection suffering a high fever may start shaking due to ‘chills’. It is a good idea for cat owners to keep a thermometer on hand to test their cat if they suspect illness. A temperature above 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit indicates a fever and that a trip to the vet is due.
3. Hypothermia
Just as a heightened internal temperature can cause shaking in a cat, so too can a lowered internal temperature result in shivering. Healthy adult cats can usually regulate normal temperature levels internally, however young and old cats may struggle. Warm blankets and heating pads in cold weather can help vulnerable cats to keep cosy.
4. Pain
Cats seldom express much openly when they are in pain – yet shaking may be a sign they are suffering due to an injury or illness. If you suspect this may be the case, take your cat to receive medical attention immediately.
5. Stress
A stressed or anxious cat may start shaking uncontrollably due to a nervous outburst. Cats are sensitive animals and it can be difficult to discover what exactly is troubling them. Changes in the environment, no matter how innocuous they seem to us, can spark distress in cats who thrive on predictability. New furniture, the sight of another cat prowling the neighbourhood it can see out the window or sounds from the building site next door can all cause a cat to become unhappy and shake with distress.
If you are able to remove the object that is upsetting your cat, try to do so. If it is something like a new sofa you are attached to, or outside your control such as neighbourhood noise, try providing other comforting items to help you cat adapt to the changes that are upsetting it. More hidey-hole beds around the house and perches to sit on are great at relieving cat stress, as felines feel naturally safer when up high or able to hide in a dark space away from ‘danger’.
As always, we recommend consultation with a veterinarian to rule out serious underlying conditions first to make sure your pet receives the perfect treatment for their problem.
