Cats with narcolepsy have a sudden intense desire to sleep during the day, and may experience brief periods of unconsciousness, collapse, and/or paralysis that usually resolve spontaneously without any treatment or intervention.

Narcolepsy is thought to be predominantly hereditary in nature; in fact, it has been recorded in humans, dogs, cats, horses, and cattle. The cause of the disorder is not well understood, but it is assumed that it involves much more than being tired. Fortunately, it is not normally life-threatening and episodes in pet cats are quite rare.

Narcoleptic cats can become unconscious or fall into a deep sleep without any warning. They may experience partial or complete paralysis. After sometime, the cat wakes up as if nothing happened.  

Take note that narcolepsy is different from simple sleepiness. Studies of animals with narcolepsy found that they have muscle twitching which is typical of deep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Many cat owners panic when their cats go through narcoleptic episodes, thinking that their pets are suffering from epileptic seizures. It’s recommended to bring your kitty to your veterinarian services LaPorte, IN for a thorough checkup and diagnosis.