Help! My Cat is Shivering! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Hello Dr. Paola,
Why does my cat, Rayne, shiver or quiver when he’s relaxed and purring, sometimes even before he falls asleep, while lying next to me? What concerns me is that it’s more of a shivering or quivering, like from a fever or chills. He’s been checked by a vet, yet no one can explain this behavior. He’s not ill at this time, but has done this since I’ve had him. He’ll be 5 in August, and I got him at 8 months. My previous Abyssinian also did this shiver and quiver. I think my cat does suffer from anxiety. I know when he walks down the hallway, he rubs his mouth against the wall or objects every couple of feet, and I did read once that that was a way of securing his circle of security, so that doesn’t bother me. Once he is sound asleep, he doesn’t do it, but sometimes when he’s in a deep sleep, he’ll jerk up really fast up in the air. I know, as humans, we do that too. I appreciate any help that you might be able to give. Thank you. “– Charmaine
Quick Info about Rayne
Hi Charmaine,
Thanks for your question. The shivering or quivering you describe while he’s relaxed and purring may seem concerning at first, especially when you feel it resembles chills. However, given that he’s otherwise healthy and has had veterinary check-ups without any red flags, it’s quite possible this is part of his unique relaxation pattern. Some cats, especially those with a bit of anxiety or heightened awareness, may exhibit muscle tremors as they begin to unwind. These small tremors can be part of the nervous system’s way of releasing tension, much like a person sighing deeply before falling asleep.
It’s also quite interesting that your previous Abyssinian did the same thing. That might suggest a breed-linked personality trait, as Abyssinians are known for their alert nature. The sudden jerking awake you mentioned sounds very much like a hypnic jerk, which is a common sleep phenomenon in both humans and animals.
You’re absolutely right about the wall rubbing behavior being a self-soothing mechanism. Facial pheromones in cats are natural chemical signals released from glands located around their cheeks, forehead, and chin. When a cat rubs its face against furniture, walls, or even you, it’s depositing these comforting pheromones to mark the area as familiar and safe. This behavior is not only about claiming territory, but also about creating a scent-based map that helps reduce stress and increase their sense of security. It’s a bit like hanging family photos on the wall to make a space feel more like home. For anxious or sensitive cats, facial rubbing can be an important self-soothing tool, and synthetic versions of these pheromones, such as those found in feline diffusers or sprays, can help cats feel calmer in their environment.
You’re clearly doing a great job being attentive to his needs, and Rayne is lucky to have you. Unless Rayne is showing other concerning signs, such as disorientation, vocalizing in distress, or changes in gait, this is usually nothing to worry about. Because you’ve noticed signs of anxiety, I’d encourage you to continue creating a calm and enriched environment for him, incorporating daily interactive play and predictable routines. If questions ever arise and you’re not seeing anything that clearly needs hands-on care, an online veterinary service, such as PangoVet can be a helpful option to talk things through. You’re clearly tuned in to what makes Rayne feel safe, and that in itself is powerful support for his well-being.
– Dr. Paola