Normal twitching: sleep and relaxation
Many cats twitch their legs, paws, whiskers or tail while asleep. This is generally thought to happen during dream-like sleep stages and is usually nothing to worry about. A cat who twitches while sleeping, then wakes normally and acts like herself, is typically fine.
Brief muscle twitches can also happen as a cat settles after play or exercise, or when a cat is startled or cold. If they are short, rare and your cat is otherwise normal, there is often no cause for concern.
Twitching while awake: what to look at
Twitching that happens while your cat is awake deserves a closer look. Useful questions to ask:
- Is it one leg or several? Is it always the same spot?
- How long does each episode last, and how often does it happen?
- Is your cat aware and responsive during it, or does she seem dazed?
- Does it happen after touch, at certain times of day, or after eating?
- Are there other signs such as limping, licking, vocalizing, changes in appetite or behavior?
Possible medical causes
Several health problems can cause twitching or spasms. Only a vet can tell which one applies, but knowing the possibilities helps you describe what you see.
Pain, arthritis and nerve irritation
Joint pain, spinal problems or irritated nerves can cause localized spasms or trembling in a leg, especially in older cats. Look for stiffness, reluctance to jump or a limp. See also the signs a cat is in pain.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (sometimes called “twitchy cat syndrome”) is a poorly understood condition. Reported signs include rippling or twitching skin along the back, sudden bursts of running or jumping, tail chasing or attacking, excessive licking or chewing at the back, flank or tail, and apparent sensitivity when touched there. The cause is not well understood. It is generally a diagnosis made after other problems such as skin disease, parasites, pain and neurological disease have been considered, and stress management and medication may be part of treatment.
Seizures and neurological problems
Seizures in cats can be subtle. A focal seizure might look like twitching of a limb or the face, while a generalized seizure may involve collapse, paddling legs, drooling or loss of awareness. Jerking that continues and that your cat cannot control, or that comes with confusion, calls for veterinary assessment.
Metabolic problems
Imbalances in minerals such as potassium and calcium, as well as conditions affecting organs such as the kidneys, can affect nerve and muscle function. Blood tests are used to look for these.
Toxins
Some plants, chemicals, medications and pest-control products can cause muscle tremors or twitching in cats. Examples of dangerous exposures include permethrin-based dog flea products, which are well known to be toxic to cats. If your cat may have eaten or touched something toxic, call your vet or a poison helpline straight away: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours a day and may charge a fee. Never use a dog flea product on a cat. If one has already been applied, call a vet or a poison helpline now, because permethrin can cause tremors and seizures in cats.
Running, licking and rippling skin: is it normal?
Owners sometimes describe a cat who suddenly races around, licks herself frantically or has skin that seems to ripple. Occasional bursts of energy (“zoomies”) are common, especially in young cats. But if the episodes are frequent, your cat seems distressed or appears to be reacting to something on her back, or she over-grooms to the point of bald or sore patches (see cat hair loss), this is worth discussing with a vet. Fleas, skin allergies, pain and hyperesthesia can all look similar.
What to do: observe and record
If your cat is twitching but alert and comfortable:
- Stay calm and avoid restraining her.
- Try to take a short video, as episodes can be hard to reproduce in the clinic.
- Note the time, duration, which leg and any triggers.
- Check the leg and paw for wounds, swelling or foreign objects. If you find something, cleaning a cat wound and common cat paw problems may help.
- Keep a note of appetite, drinking, litter box use and any new products or plants in the home.
During a seizure, move hazards away, do not put your hands in your cat’s mouth, and keep the room quiet. Note how long it lasts.
When to call the vet
Contact your vet if twitching:
- Happens often while your cat is awake
- Is persistent, spreading or getting worse
- Comes with limping, weakness, wobbliness or trouble walking
- Comes with changes in appetite, behavior or litter box use
- Involves licking, chewing or distress
Go to an emergency clinic if your cat has a seizure lasting more than a few minutes, several seizures close together, loses consciousness or collapses, or you suspect poisoning.
How vets work out the cause
Your vet will take a history and do a physical and neurological exam, and may recommend blood and urine tests, X-rays, or further imaging. Because hyperesthesia and some neurological conditions are diagnosed partly by ruling out other causes, it can take more than one visit. Your video can be very useful.
Common questions
What causes muscle spasms in cats?
Possible causes include pain, nerve or spinal problems, mineral imbalances, metabolic disease, toxin exposure and seizure disorders. A vet exam is needed to tell them apart.
What are the symptoms of hyperesthesia?
Commonly described signs include rippling skin on the back, tail chasing, sudden running, over-grooming and apparent sensitivity along the back. Not every cat shows all of them.
Is leg twitching during sleep normal?
Usually yes. Twitching in sleep is common and generally harmless when your cat wakes up and behaves normally.
My cat is running around and licking himself. Is this normal?
Occasional play bursts are normal. Frequent episodes with intense licking or apparent distress should be checked by a vet to rule out fleas, skin problems, pain or hyperesthesia.