Have you ever noticed your kitten shaking after eating or sleeping and wondered why? Shaking in kittens can be due to various factors, from simple excitement after a meal to serious health concerns.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind such behavior, decipher when it’s normal or a cause for concern, and guide you on what steps to take if your little furball is regularly shaking.
Reasons Why Is My Kitten Shaking After Eating
There are several reasons why your kitten may be shaking, including excitement, fear, attention-seeking, discomfort, low blood sugar, cold or shivering, anxiety or stress.
1. Excitement
A little shake or trembling from your kitten can signify excitement. You may witness this when you’re about to feed them their favorite meal or during playtime, as kittens are full of energy and often translate their enthusiasm into physical responses like shaking.
This behavior is quite normal as it’s their way of expressing anticipation or overjoyed emotions.
2. Fear
Intense emotions like fear can trigger shivering due to their heightened sensitivity and responsiveness as small animals.
It’s often seen when there is a shift in their routine or an introduction of new elements, such as a new person in the home.
This sudden alteration from what they’re accustomed to generates stress and anxiety, manifesting physically through shaking.
3. Attention-seeking
Cats, just like humans, crave attention at times. Your kitten might shake as an attention-seeking behavior to get your notice or even your reaction. This can be equated to a child acting out when they feel ignored.
More than often, kittens do this because they are bored and need some mental stimulation or physical exercise. If you find them shaking while around you continually, it could mean they’re trying to gain your attention for playtime or affection.
4. Discomfort
Discomfort could be due to physical discomfort, such as an injury or pain in the body. Another possibility is that they may have recently eaten something that didn’t agree with them, causing gastrointestinal distress.
Environmental factors like extreme temperatures or uncomfortable bedding can also contribute to your kitten’s discomfort and subsequent shaking.
5. Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can cause a cat to shake or tremble. This is especially true if the cat is sick and not eating or has a metabolic disease. Involuntary muscle trembling in cats can be localized or generalized throughout the body.
Hypoglycemia can occur in cats without eating for extended periods, such as young kittens or diabetic cats who may experience shaking once they start insulin. Elevated calcium levels in the bloodstream can also cause cats to shiver and may be linked to renal disease.
6. Cold or Shivering
Just like humans, cats can get cold, and experience shivers as a way to warm up their bodies. This shaking helps generate heat by increasing blood flow and muscle activity.
7. Anxiety or Stress
Shaking in kittens can often be attributed to anxiety or stress. Cats, especially young ones, can become anxious or stressed for various reasons, such as changes in their environment, new people around them, or disruptions to their routine.
When Shaking Is Normal
Sometimes, shaking in kittens is completely normal and may occur during new eating habits, while they are dreaming while sleeping, or even when their head shakes without cause.
New Eating Habits
New eating habits can sometimes cause kittens to shake. A kitten may feel excited or nervous when introduced to a fresh food or feeding routine. This excitement or anxiety can manifest as shaking in their little bodies.
Dreaming While Sleeping
During the rapid eye movement (REM) phase, when cats are most likely to dream, they may display various behaviors such as squeaking and twitching their eyes, ears, and whiskers.
This movement can be quite pronounced and may include kicking or pawing motions. It is usual for cats to move while dreaming, and this activity should not cause concern for cat owners.
Head-Shaking Without Cause
One possible reason for head shaking in kittens is that it may occur without any specific cause. This means that sometimes kittens shake their heads for no apparent reason.
While it can be concerning, especially if it happens frequently or intensely, there are instances where head shaking without cause is considered normal behavior.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many possible reasons why your kitten shaking after eating or sleeping.
To help reduce shaking in your kitten, ensure they have a warm and comfortable environment to sleep in, and provide them with regular meals appropriate for their age and size.
While some shaking can be normal in certain situations, monitoring their behavior and seeking veterinary attention if necessary is important.
Recommended Reading
