Have you recently noticed that your cat’s leg has been shaking? A trembling, shaking, twitching or spasm in your cat’s leg is a worrying sight for a pet owner. Below we cover some reasons that may explain why your cat is exhibiting this symptom.
Leg injury
Leg injuries can be caused by your cat losing its footing, falling from a height, getting hit by a vehicle, or fighting with other animals. Some injuries are more visible – showing as cuts, swelling or bruises – while others are harder to see – such as broken bones, strained muscles and ligament/tendon tears. Sometimes your cat’s leg may shake as it struggles to steady itself on an injured leg or paw. Leg injuries are often observed in conjunction with limping.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition in many older cats. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage (the soft cushiony component) of joints get worn away. When there is less cartilage, a joint’s range of motion is reduced and pain will be experienced. Along with trembling, you may also notice your cat’s reluctance to move, together with a more grouchy personality. Your cat may also avoid touch or petting due to the discomfort.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low glucose or sugar levels in the blood. Hypoglycemia is a symptom of an underlying problem such as diabetes (more commonly) or liver disease. Hypoglycemia can display itself as shivering, weakness and disorientation amongst other signs. Sometimes cats that have diabetes are given too much insulin, which causes the body to process too much glucose. This results in hypoglycemia as well. Giving your cat sugar, such as honey, may help to bring the blood sugar levels back up. Worsening hypoglycemia requires veterinary attention as it can lead to unconsciousness or even death.
Side-effects from drugs
As we’ve mentioned above, over dosage of insulin can cause shivering or tremors in diabetic cats. However, other drugs which your cat is taking can also cause this physical behavior. If your cat is taking any prescribed drugs, it’s best to read the label or refer to your veterinary advice to see if leg shaking is a side-effect. If you think the drug is to blame, then your vet can advise on whether you should keep continuing with it or not.
Permethrin poisoning (from flea treatments)
Permethrin is an insecticide used in topical flea control products for both cats and dogs. Dog flea treatments contain a much higher level of permethrin than compared to the ones used for cats. This is because cats cannot break down the chemical as well as dogs can. A common scenario for poisoning is when the owner uses the dog-strength version of the product on their cat. Even small doses can cause problems. Another scenario is when a cat grooms or comes into contact with a dog freshly treated with topical flea control that contains permethrin. Tremors, shaking, disoriented walking and seizures may be displayed by a poisoned cat. If you suspect permethrin poisoning you should contact your vet immediately.
Fear or anxiety
Thunderstorms, fireworks and other loud noises can give your cat a fright. Fear or anxiety can result in your cat shaking its leg, or other parts of its body uncontrollably. When this happens, it’s best to try and reassure your cat and move it to a quiet, calm and safe area if possible. Most cats actually prefer small confined spaces, such as a basket or closet, as it gives them a sense of safety. You can help your cat when it’s suffering from fear or anxiety by providing an enclosed cat house in which it can hide.
Too hot or too cold
Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) or hypothermia (lowered body temperature) can both cause full body and leg tremors in cats. The environment (e.g. the cold outdoors or a hot car interior) can influence the body temperature of your cat. Thus, it is important to keep your cat at a comfortable temperature at all times. A fever or infection can also raise the core body temperature of your cat to cause hyperthermia.
Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders are disorders that have to do with your cat’s nervous system. They can be present in the brain, spine or nerves that control movements in the body. Neurological disorders can affect most parts of your cat’s body, including the legs. Symptoms can include seizures, paralysis or involuntary muscle twitching or tremors. Neurological disorders can be caused by environmental factors or they can be inherited. Brain tumors or meningitis are 2 examples of what can cause neurological dysfunction in cats.
