You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- twitching
Cats/twitching
Advertisement
Question
do you know why cats eyes twitching? why do cats stick there paw in there water and then lick it off?
Hi Arrianna. Twitching eyes while asleep is normal. However, while awake, it usually isn't. The condition is known as nystagmus, and while some cats are born with it, and it doesn't indicate anything is wrong, many times it indicates a neurological problem. If you have noticed that your cat's eyes are twitching suddenly, you should get him to the vet right away. This can be a sign of poisoning, a serious infection or even cancer.
As for drinking water from their paws, this is strictly due to a cat's preference. Some cats have trouble gauging how far their nose is from their water and would rather dip their paw in the water than their nose. Since their paws are semi-webbed, they can actually scoop up a good amount of water each time they dip their paw in the water bowl. And this way, they don't accidentally get water up their nose.
Best wishes!
Jessica
Related Articles
- My Russian Blue Cat Mishka - Reader Stories: Living with a Russian Blue Cat
- Cat Hair - No Extra Charge - Reader Submissions: Dangers My Pets and Projects Faced - My Experience
- Cats Being Cats - Cats - From About.com
- Do Cats Cry Real Tears - Share your experience with crying cats with other readers
- Do Cats Cry Real Tears - Share your experience with crying cats with other readers
Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.