Older Cat Having a Seizure? What to Do First

If your older cat appears to be having a seizure now, call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic for guidance. Do not hold the cat down or put your hands near their mouth.

Under first-aid advice from the UK veterinary charity PDSA, call a vet immediately if a seizure lasts more than two minutes, or if your cat has more than one seizure within twenty-four hours. These are reasons for immediate contact, not instructions to wait before calling if you are concerned. In addition, PetMD's emergency overview of feline seizures notes that repeated episodes without full recovery between events require immediate emergency care. If movement has already stopped, call promptly as your cat comes round, even if they seem fine.

Clear the Surrounding Space Without Intervening

While speaking with the clinic, manage the immediate space instead of touching your cat. Clear nearby objects from the space around them if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. Dim bright lights and keep the room quiet, avoiding shouting or sudden noise. Do not shake your cat, approach their mouth, or wrap them in blankets, and do not transport them during active movement unless a veterinarian directs you to do so. If you can check without delaying your call, note the time on a clock or timer.

What to Report When Movement Stops

PetMD describes confusion or disorientation after some seizures. Tell the clinic what you have already seen; you do not need to name the type of episode or complete a record before calling:

• Start time and duration, clearly stating if you are unsure instead of guessing.
• What the movement looked like, whether another episode occurred, and how your cat behaved between episodes.
• Any recent illness, medication changes, or potential exposure to household toxins.
• A brief video recording, but only if filming did not delay contacting the clinic.

Why a Short or Uncertain Episode Merits a Call

In older cats, distinguishing between seizures and tremors can be difficult. As explained in PetMD's veterinary guidance on cat tremors, shaking can have several causes, including toxin exposure. Veterinary assessment may include an examination, blood or urine tests, and sometimes imaging to investigate the cause. Appearance alone cannot settle that question. PetMD’s seizure article also explains that some cats can look normal immediately after certain episodes. If your veterinarian has established a specific care plan for your cat, follow those existing instructions first without changing medication doses.

These examples do not cover every urgent situation; describe any other concerning changes to the clinic. Ask how and when to bring your cat in, following the veterinary team’s instructions for your situation. For optional later reading on head and ear movements, see our guide on elderly cat head shaking, which explores ear discomfort and repeated head shaking rather than serving as a way to rule out or diagnose a seizure.