Pet parents may be surprised to learn that seizures in cats don’t always resemble seizures in dogs. While seizures are a fairly common problem in dogs, they are much less common in cats. The symptoms can also look quite different, with cats tending to have shorter, less obvious episodes rather than the striking convulsions typically associated with dogs. Most notably, the cause of your cat’s seizures is usually not the same as the leading cause seen in dogs.
Understanding this difference matters. It influences how veterinarians approach diagnosis, explains why advanced imaging is strongly recommended, and highlights the benefits of early referral to a veterinary neurologist.
How Common Are Seizures in Cats?
While seizures are the most common neurological problem in dogs, affecting about 1 in 90 each year, only about 1 in 400 cats receive the same diagnosis in that time frame. This means that dogs are roughly four times more likely than cats to have a seizure.
Because seizures are relatively uncommon in cats, veterinarians often view them with greater concern. When a cat does have a seizure, there’s a greater likelihood that an underlying disease is at work.
What Do Seizures in Cats Look Like?
Most of us probably picture seizures as dramatic episodes of collapse and full-body convulsions. While this can happen in cats, the majority of feline seizures take a different form. Cats are more prone to experience focal seizures, which only affect part of the brain and body, causing more subtle signs.
Typical signs of seizures in cats may include:
- Twitching of the face, whiskers, or eyelids
- Chewing or jaw chomping motions
- Unusual vocalization
- Abnormal behaviors such as frantic running, staring into space, or snapping at the air
Because these signs can be brief and less pronounced than in dogs, they’re easy to overlook or even mistake for quirky cat behavior. Some pet parents only learn their cat is having seizures after showing a veterinarian videos of funny behavior. But catching these subtler signs early can make a significant difference in treatment options and prognosis.
What Causes Seizures in Cats?
The biggest distinction between seizures in cats and dogs comes down to what causes them.
In dogs, idiopathic epilepsy is the number one cause of seizures, which actually means that no underlying cause for the seizures can be found. With medication to control the recurring episodes, most dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy can live long, happy lives.
"In cats, however, idiopathic epilepsy is rare, affecting fewer than 30% of those with recurrent seizures," says Dr. Mackenzie Kilbourn, veterinary neurologist at Southeast Veterinary Neurology (SEVN).
Instead, cats are much more likely to have seizures caused by a problem inside the brain or secondary to a problem elsewhere in the body:
- Symptomatic Seizures are caused by problems inside of the brain. Symptomatic causes include structural abnormalities such as brain tumors, congenital malformations, inflammation, and head trauma; as well as brain infections such as toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
- Reactive Seizures result from problems outside of the brain that secondarily affect the brain. Reactive causes include metabolic disturbances such as low blood sugar, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, electrolyte abnormalities, and exposure to toxins.
In simple terms, seizures in cats are often a clue that something more serious needs attention. This is why veterinarians approach feline seizures with more urgency.
Why Finding the Cause of Seizures in Cats Matters
While idiopathic epilepsy can often be managed with medication alone, the symptomatic and reactive causes of seizures commonly seen in cats require more targeted approaches. These may include clearing infection, reducing inflammation, treating cancer, or surgery.
“Because of this, systemic lab work and advanced diagnostics like MRI and CSF analysis are typically recommended for diagnosing seizures in cats,” adds Dr. Kilbourn.
MRI is the gold standard for visualizing the brain. It provides detailed images of brain structure that X-rays and CT scans cannot match. With MRI, veterinary neurologists can detect even the most subtle abnormalities. MRI doesn’t just reveal whether something is present, but also the extent of the problem, which helps guide the best course of treatment and predict prognosis.
CSF analysis complements MRI by checking for inflammation, infection, or cancer that might not be visible on imaging. Together these tests give us the clearest picture of what’s happening in a cat’s brain and body - and what can be done to help.
Treatment and Outlook for Seizures in Cats
The approach to treating seizures in cats depends heavily on the underlying cause. Identifying whether a seizure is caused by a problem inside the brain or secondary to a problem elsewhere in the body is essential for effective treatment.
In cases of symptomatic seizures, such as those from structural or infectious diseases, treatments may include antifungal or antiparasitic medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, radiation therapy, or surgery.
For reactive seizures tied to metabolic diseases or toxicity, addressing the underlying issue, such as treating liver disease or high blood pressure, may help resolve the seizures.
The outlook also depends on the cause, in addition to prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. With early involvement of a veterinary neurologist and the use of advanced diagnostics like MRI and CSF analysis, many cats can continue to live happy, comfortable lives, especially when an underlying cause can be identified and addressed.
When to Seek Help for Seizures in Cats
If you think your cat has had a seizure - even though it may not seem severe - don’t dismiss it. Record what you see, share it with your veterinarian, and ask whether referral to a veterinary neurologist is recommended. While seizures in cats are less common than in dogs, they are important clues about your cat’s health. Getting answers sooner gives your cat the best chance at effective treatment and a good quality of life.
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. With hospitals in Miami, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Virginia Beach, Southeast Veterinary Neurology (SEVN) is here to provide you with expert guidance and compassionate care, so you and your cat can get the answers and support you need, when it matters most.