Why Is My Cat Shaking While Purring? 4 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
Purring is the most common sound we hear from cats. No matter their size, all cats purr. Even kittens start purring when they’re only a few days old! And yet, we still don’t understand much about this infamous cat sound. Cats are a mystery, and it seems they prefer to keep it that way.
Cats usually don’t shake when they purr, but it’s not uncommon for this to be seen in some cats. Shaking may also be a clinical sign of some underlying medical problem, and it can be hard to determine its cause without diagnostic testing.
Nevertheless, there are various possible explanations worth discussing. Today, we’re listing four reasons why your cat is shaking and what you can do about it.
The 4 Reasons Your Cat Is Shaking While Purring
1. Your Cat Is Happy
Despite the risk of anthropomorphizing, it is very common for a content cat (with no discernible reason to be stressed) to purr and shake his or her body simultaneously.
What to Do
2. Your Cat Is Cold
Believe it or not, cats get cold. Cats love seeking warm places to rest and often become extra cuddly to absorb some body heat when cold. If your cat sleeps near or on direct heat sources, this is a good indicator that your cat is cold. This is especially true with hairless cats since they don’t have an extra layer of protection.
What to Do
3. Your Cat Is Stressed
We know that cats purr for different reasons. Most of the time, when our house cats purr, it is because they are content. But cats will also purr if they are stressed or scared to help soothe themselves.
What to Do
4. Your Cat Is in Pain
Another reason your cat is shaking could be due to pain. We do not like to think of our pets in pain, but it happens. Since cats are great at hiding their discomfort, you may only notice the pain when your cat purrs.
What to Do
Wrapping It Up
The nice thing about cats is they like consistency. So, when they do something out of the ordinary, it causes an alarm to ring in our heads that says it’s time to make adjustments.
Dealing with cats is tough because finding the answer to their problems is like finding a needle in a haystack. It takes time, effort, and maybe a few tears. But the answer is out there. Hopefully, this post has given you some guidance for helping your cat and giving you some relief. At the end of the day, it’s always best to call your vet if you’re not sure.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Liz Creative Studios, Shutterstock
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Cassidy's journey from vet tech and professional pet sitter to pet writer showcases her lifelong passion for animals, both domestic and wild. Throughout the years, she has cared for many pets and enjoys writing about the animal-human bond. She and her husband have settled in Wichita, where they live with their German Shepherd, Raven, two cats, Lucy and Strudel, and a small flock of backyard chickens.
