Generally, they are considered a hardy breed, although owners may run into certain health issues, like these.

Among these concerning health issues are Maine Coon seizures.

What Do Cat Seizures Look Like?

In feline seizures, disruptions in the brain cause muscles to suddenly convulse involuntarily.

These episodes of abnormal electrical brain activity may last a few seconds or even up to an hour.

In a minor cat seizure, only one area of the brain is affected, meaning a limited area of the cat’s body seizes.

Seizures are not very common among Maine Coons, and they are usually symptoms of an underlying disease.

Symptoms Of Cat Seizures

Below are the main symptoms of a cat seizure:

1. Drooling

Cats may drool excessively during a seizure.

This is because cats will lose facial muscle control and may be unable to swallow.

2. Momentary Staring Or “Zoning Out”

Mild cat seizure symptoms include:

• Temporary Disorientation
• Unresponsiveness

Owners may witness their cats zoning out, staring blankly into space.

3. Slight Head Shaking or Nodding

In mild seizures, cats may exhibit abnormal head shaking or other strange head movements.

4. Twitching And Shaking

Involuntary muscle contractions, twitching, and shaking are common symptoms.

These movements range from subtle motions to strong jerking or tremors.

Brief muscle twitching that is isolated to one body part, like the face or legs, indicates a mild cat seizure.

5. Whisker Twitching

Mild seizures may result in whisker twitching but no body twitching.

It may be so subtle that owners do not notice this symptom.

6. Tail-Chasing

Repetitive, obsessive, and abnormal behavior like tail-chasing may occur during a seizure.

It may seem odd, but this is an effect of changes in brain activity that affects the cat’s motor functions.

7. Confusion And Disorientation

Owners may notice their cats becoming abnormally disoriented during the seizure.

They may seem confused or wander around sporadically.

This confusion may lead to odd behavioral changes, like unusual hiding or strange stillness.

8. Stiff Body

Cats’ bodies may become rigid during seizures due to muscle tightening.

As muscles contract, stiffening may occur at different degrees, from mild to severe.

Stiff body posture may affect one body part or the entire body.

9. Loud Cries

Cats may involuntarily emit loud vocalizations or yowls during a seizure due to disrupted brain activity.

10. Unexpected Aggression

As cats become confused and frightened during and after seizures, they may become extremely defensive and uncharacteristically aggressive.

Owners mustn’t respond to this behavior negatively, as this may upset the cat further.

11. Thrashing Or Paddling Limbs

Owners might witness their cats thrashing out in uncoordinated, frantic movements during a seizure.

Thrashing and paddling limbs are a response to abnormal electrical brain activity.

12. Loss Of Consciousness

In some severe cases, seizures may cause loss of consciousness.

This loss may be brief, partial, or total, and it is because of the disruptions happening in the brain.

What Causes Cats To Have A Seizure?

Many underlying health factors could cause seizures in Maine Coons, or other cat breeds.

Consulting the vet is necessary to help determine the root cause for individual cats, and to better understand what can trigger a seizure in cats.

The main reasons why cats have a seizure are as follows:

Brain Tumor

When considering what gives cats seizures, brain tumors are a factor.

Essentially, brain tumors are abnormal growths on the brain.

These growths can cause problems with the brain’s natural processes and usually require medical intervention.

Genetic Brain Abnormalities

Some cats inherit defective brain structures that may occur from genetic mutations or developmental issues.