Why is my cat shaking?
A cat that shakes or trembles occasionally is often reacting to cold, excitement, fear or mild pain, and settles on its own within minutes. Shaking that is frequent, prolonged, or comes with other signs such as weakness, vomiting or a change in behaviour is different, and is worth getting checked by a vet rather than watched at home.
Usually not urgent
This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.
The common, less worrying causes
Cold is one of the simplest explanations. Cats shiver to generate warmth the same way people do, and a cat coming in from outside on a cold day, or lying somewhere draughty, can tremble briefly until they warm back up.
Excitement and fear produce a similar response. A cat waiting eagerly by a food bowl, reacting to a sudden noise, or anxious about a visitor, a car journey, or another animal can shake or tremble as part of a normal stress response, usually settling once the trigger has passed. This is especially true for cats who are naturally more nervous by temperament.
Muscle tremors after intense play or a sudden burst of activity are also common and usually brief. A cat who has just had a short, energetic chase around the house may shake slightly afterwards simply from the physical exertion, in the same way a person might after sprinting.
When pain is behind the shaking
Older cats in particular can tremble because of joint pain or general discomfort rather than cold or excitement. This is easy to miss because cats are naturally good at hiding pain, and shaking can be one of the few outward signs that something is bothering them.
A cat who is shaking alongside reduced jumping, stiffness after resting, or reluctance to be handled around a particular area is showing a pattern worth mentioning to your vet, rather than something to manage with warmth or comfort alone.
Red flags that need a vet quickly
Shaking that does not settle within a short time, that happens alongside vomiting, wobbliness, weakness, or a change in how alert your cat seems, needs a vet promptly rather than being watched overnight. These combinations can point to poisoning, a neurological problem, or a metabolic issue such as low blood sugar or kidney disease, all of which need proper assessment rather than guesswork. Trust that instinct — a shaking cat who also seems 'not quite right' in some way you cannot easily describe is a reasonable reason to call a vet for advice, even before you are sure something is wrong.
A cat who has had any possible access to a toxic plant, human medication, antifreeze, or certain essential oils and is shaking should be treated as an emergency and taken to a vet straight away, even if they otherwise seem alert, because some poisonings act quickly. Do not wait to see if they improve, since delays with true poisoning cases can matter.
What can help day to day
A calm, warm, low-stress environment goes a long way for a cat prone to anxious shaking around visitors, other animals, or sudden noise. Giving your cat somewhere quiet to retreat to, and avoiding forcing interaction during a stressful moment, is more useful than trying to physically settle them. A consistent daily routine also reduces the number of surprises that can trigger anxious shaking in the first place.
For an older cat whose shaking seems linked to stiffness or general discomfort getting around, general joint support and a comfortable, easily accessible bed can make daily life more comfortable, though it is not a substitute for having the underlying cause properly checked by a vet first.
What to tell your vet
Note when the shaking happens, how long it lasts, whether it comes and goes or is constant, and whether anything specific seems to trigger it, such as cold, a particular room, or handling a certain area. This detail helps your vet narrow down the possible causes far faster than a general description. Also note your cat's weight and appetite over the past week, since subtle changes there can matter as much as the shaking itself.
Mention anything your cat could have eaten or been exposed to recently, any other new symptoms however minor they seem, and your cat's age and any known health conditions. A short video of an episode, if you can safely capture one, is often genuinely useful for a vet who will not see it happen themselves.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£7.99
Absorbent Cotton Gauze Swabs for Pets – Pack of 100
Highly absorbent, low-lint cotton gauze swabs produced in clean conditions — a practical first-aid essential available in three size and ply combinations.
From£4.49
3M Synthetic Under Bandage Padding for Pets
A soft, breathable non-woven polyester padding layer designed to protect and cushion beneath bandages on dogs and cats.
From£9.49
Johnson's Calm Eze Tabs
36 herbal tablets to help calm and soothe nervous or hyperactive dogs and cats
£6.05
Common questions
- Is it normal for a cat to shiver when they're cold?
- Yes, shivering to generate warmth is a normal response in cats, just as it is in people. A cat coming in from a cold day or resting somewhere draughty may tremble briefly until they warm up, and this usually settles quickly once they are warm and comfortable again.
- Can excitement make a cat shake?
- Yes, anticipation around feeding time, a sudden noise, or general excitement can cause a brief tremor in some cats, similar to how nerves might make a person's hands shake. It is usually short-lived and stops once the cat has settled.
- Why does my older cat shake when getting up?
- This can be a sign of joint stiffness or discomfort, which is common in older cats and easy to miss because cats hide pain well. It is worth mentioning to your vet rather than assuming it is simply a sign of ageing with nothing to be done.
- When is cat shaking an emergency?
- If the shaking is severe, does not settle, or comes with vomiting, wobbliness, weakness or a change in how alert your cat seems, treat it as an emergency and contact a vet straight away, particularly if there is any chance your cat has eaten something toxic.
- Can stress or anxiety cause a cat to tremble?
- Yes, fear or anxiety around visitors, other animals, car journeys or loud noises can cause visible shaking in some cats. Giving them a calm, quiet space to retreat to usually helps more than trying to comfort them directly during the moment itself.
- Should I film my cat shaking to show the vet?
- It can genuinely help. A short video captures details a description often misses, such as exactly how the shaking looks and how long it lasts, and gives your vet something concrete to assess rather than relying on your memory of a brief episode.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.