Cats spend much of their day sleeping, and gentle twitching during naps is often normal. Most twitches are either involuntary muscle spasms—harmless reactions as the body relaxes—or movements during REM sleep, when cats dream. These are usually brief and stop when the cat wakes. For example, a twitching paw or flicking ear during sleep is likely just your cat chasing imaginary prey in a dream, requiring no intervention.
Seizures, however, are serious and require attention. Unlike normal twitching, seizures involve uncontrolled movements, often affecting the entire body. Signs include violent jerking, loss of balance, foaming at the mouth, or post-seizure confusion. Seizures can be caused by infections, toxicity, or conditions like epilepsy. If a seizure lasts over three minutes, occurs repeatedly, or is accompanied by other symptoms (like vomiting), seek immediate veterinary care.
If your cat twitches mildly during sleep but otherwise acts healthy, there’s likely no need to worry. However, if you’re unsure whether a movement is a seizure, contact your vet. Recording the episode on video can help professionals diagnose the cause. Remember, while most sleep twitches are harmless, it’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to your cat’s health.
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