CONDITION
Epilepsy in Cats
Epilepsy describes a pattern of recurring seizures that arise from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A seizure may appear as a sudden collapse with paddling limbs and loss of awareness, or as something more subtle: repeated twitching, staring into space, or unusual repetitive movements. Between episodes, many cats appear entirely normal. Owners often arrive at this page having witnessed a frightening event, or after noticing episodes that seem to come and go without obvious cause. Epilepsy in cats is less common than in dogs, and the underlying reasons vary. In some cases no cause is found, while in others the seizures arise from disease within the brain. Seizures caused by illness elsewhere in the body, or by a toxin, can look the same but are not classed as epilepsy. This page explores what seizures can look like, what may be happening beneath the surface, how the pattern is investigated, and the approaches that exist to reduce their frequency and severity. The aim is to help you understand the territory, not to diagnose what your own cat is experiencing.
Why this matters now
Feline epilepsy is most often diagnosed in adult to middle-aged cats, though seizures can begin at any life stage. In cats with idiopathic epilepsy the mean age at the first seizure is between three and five years. Structural epilepsy from underlying brain disease may appear at any age depending on the cause, and becomes more likely when seizures begin in cats older than six years.
The course of feline epilepsy varies considerably between individuals. Some cats experience infrequent, well-controlled seizures with medication, while others may have more complex seizure patterns that prove challenging to manage. Over time, seizure frequency or character may change, and the veterinary team may need to adjust management strategies accordingly. Monitoring seizure patterns through careful record-keeping can help inform these decisions.
Signals & patterns
Early signals
Brief episodes of unusual behaviour
Cats may show sudden behavioural changes lasting seconds to minutes, such as staring blankly, appearing confused, or acting as though chasing something invisible. These subtle presentations can precede or represent focal seizures.
Facial twitching or chewing movements
Rhythmic movements of the face, jaw, or whiskers may indicate focal seizure activity. Some cats display lip-smacking or appear to be chewing on nothing.
Excessive salivation during episodes
Drooling or hypersalivation may accompany seizure activity in cats, sometimes as the most obvious sign of an episode.
Sudden changes in awareness
A cat may suddenly become unresponsive, stare into space, or fail to acknowledge their name or surroundings, then return to normal after a brief period.
Later signals
Generalised convulsions
Full tonic-clonic seizures with loss of consciousness, stiffening, and rhythmic jerking of the limbs may develop. The cat typically falls on their side and may paddle their legs.
Prolonged post-seizure disorientation
After a seizure, cats may show extended periods of confusion, pacing, temporary blindness, or unusual behaviour. This postictal phase can last from minutes to hours.
Increasing seizure frequency
Some cats may experience seizures more frequently over time, or seizures may cluster, meaning two or more within 24 hours. A cluster can progress to status epilepticus.
A seizure lasting more than five minutes
A seizure that continues for more than five minutes, or two or more seizures without full recovery of awareness between them, is called status epilepticus. At that point the brain's own mechanisms for ending a seizure have failed, and whether it will stop cannot be judged at home. Lasting damage to nerve cells becomes possible after about 30 minutes of continuous seizure activity, and reported death rates for status epilepticus in dogs and cats are 25.3% to 38.5%.
Click to read about the biological mechanisms
How this is usually investigated
Investigating feline epilepsy typically involves ruling out other causes of seizures before reaching a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. The approach depends on the cat's age, seizure characteristics, and overall health status.
Detailed history and seizure diary
Comprehensive blood tests
Blood pressure measurement
Advanced imaging (MRI)
Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
Options & trade-offs
Managing feline epilepsy typically centres on reducing seizure frequency and severity while maintaining quality of life. Different approaches may suit different cats depending on their individual circumstances.
Anti-epileptic medication
Daily medications such as phenobarbital or levetiracetam may be used to reduce seizure frequency and severity. Neither is authorised for cats in the UK: phenobarbital is authorised for dogs only and levetiracetam is a human medicine, so both are prescribed for cats under the veterinary medicines cascade.
Trade-offs: Finding the right medication and dose can take time. Regular blood monitoring may be needed to check drug levels and organ function. Some cats experience sedation or increased appetite, particularly when starting treatment. Abrupt withdrawal of anti-epileptic medication, or missed doses, is a recognised reason for cats presenting in status epilepticus.
Combination therapy
When single medications do not provide adequate control, additional anti-epileptic drugs may be added.
Trade-offs: Using multiple medications increases the complexity of treatment and the potential for side effects. However, some cats achieve better seizure control with combination therapy than with any single medication.
Environmental management
Reducing potential triggers by minimising sudden loud noises, maintaining routine, and creating calm spaces for recovery after seizures.
Trade-offs: Environmental measures alone rarely control epilepsy but may complement medical management and improve overall wellbeing.
Treatment of underlying conditions
When seizures are secondary to identifiable causes, addressing those conditions may reduce or eliminate seizure activity.
Trade-offs: Not all underlying causes are treatable, and some cats may still require anti-epileptic medication even when primary conditions are managed.
Common misconceptions
"All seizures look the same in cats"
Feline seizures can present in many ways, from classic convulsions to subtle facial twitching, behavioural changes, or episodes of drooling. Focal seizures in cats may look quite different from what owners expect based on canine or human epilepsy.
"Seizures always indicate brain disease"
While seizures originate from abnormal brain activity, they can be triggered by problems elsewhere in the body. Metabolic issues, toxins, and other systemic conditions can all cause seizures in cats with otherwise normal brains.
"Medication will completely stop all seizures"
The goal of anti-epileptic therapy is typically to reduce seizure frequency and severity rather than eliminate seizures entirely. Many cats still experience occasional breakthrough seizures even with good management.
Related conditions
Epilepsy in Dogs
Epilepsy in dogs and cats shares the same underlying mechanism (abnormal electrical activity in the brain causing recurrent seizures), though the condition is encountered more frequently in dogs and the range of causes can differ between species.
Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Hyperthyroidism in cats is an uncommon cause of reactive seizures, and thyroid status is often assessed during investigation of new-onset seizures in older cats.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats
Chronic kidney disease may contribute to seizures in cats through metabolic derangements such as uraemia or electrolyte imbalance, and kidney function is typically evaluated when investigating seizure activity.
Diabetes Mellitus in Cats
Diabetes mellitus can occasionally lead to seizures in cats when blood glucose levels become very low (hypoglycaemia) or very high, and glucose regulation is routinely assessed during seizure investigation.
Feline Cognitive Dysfunction
Feline cognitive dysfunction and epilepsy both reflect altered brain function, though the patterns differ: one involves progressive decline in awareness and memory in older cats, the other episodic electrical disturbance. Both may coexist.
Keeping a detailed seizure diary can help track patterns and assess how well management strategies are working. Recording the date, time, duration, and characteristics of each episode provides valuable information for veterinary consultations. Understanding what postictal behaviour looks like in an individual cat can help distinguish seizure-related changes from other concerns.
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026 · Dr Alastair Greenway MRCVS