Why Cats Press Their Heads – Vet Emergency Guide 2025 🐱🧠

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

If you notice your cat forcefully pressing its head against a wall or floor and holding it there, it's time to act fast. Unlike the gentle, affectionate “bunting” behavior cats use for scent-marking and bonding, head pressing is a neurological emergency. In this 2025 veterinary guide, we’ll unpack what head pressing is, how to spot it, its causes, and when immediate intervention could save your cat’s life. 🧠⚠️

1. What Is Head Pressing? 🤕

Head pressing is when a cat persistently and forcefully presses the top or side of its head against a hard surface—like a wall, corner, or floor—without an apparent reason. It’s not playful or affectionate. It’s compulsive, and it’s often a symptom of a serious underlying condition. This behavior can last for seconds to minutes, or be repeated over and over throughout the day. ⛔

2. How It Differs from Bunting or Head Rubbing 🤝

Many owners confuse these behaviors. If your cat is doing it with intensity, repeatedly, or while showing other abnormal signs—act fast. 🧠

3. What Causes Head Pressing in Cats? 🔍

This behavior often signals damage or dysfunction in the forebrain (cerebral cortex and thalamus), and can be linked to a variety of neurological, toxic, infectious, or metabolic issues. 🧬

Common Causes Include:

• 🧠 Brain tumors – especially in older cats
• 🦠 Encephalitis (brain inflammation) – viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic
• 🧪 Toxin exposure – antifreeze, lead, certain pesticides
• 🩸 Hepatic encephalopathy – brain effects of liver disease or portosystemic shunts
• 💉 Electrolyte imbalances – sodium or calcium levels being too high/low
• 🤕 Trauma – brain injury from a fall, fight, or accident
• 🦠 FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) – particularly the dry neurological form

4. Accompanying Symptoms to Watch For 👀

Head pressing rarely occurs in isolation. Look out for these additional red flags:

• 🌀 Circling or pacing
• 👁️ Pupil size changes (dilated or unequal)
• 🧍 Disorientation or confusion
• 🧍‍♀️ Loss of balance or coordination
• 🐾 Seizures or twitching
• 🗣️ Vocalizing or crying for no reason
• 😴 Lethargy, weakness, or “zoning out” behavior

If you spot any combination of these signs, it’s a veterinary emergency. ⛑️

5. What Your Vet Will Do 🩺

Expect your veterinarian to perform:

• 📋 Full neurological exam
• 🧪 Bloodwork & electrolyte panels
• 🩸 Liver function tests (bile acids, ammonia levels)
• 🔬 CSF (spinal fluid) analysis
• 🧲 Imaging (CT or MRI) to look for tumors, inflammation, swelling, or structural damage

Early detection dramatically improves the chances of successful treatment. 🧬

6. Treatment & Outcomes 💊

Treatment depends on the cause:

• 💉 Infections – antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, anti-inflammatories
• 🧠 Tumors – possible surgery, palliative care, or steroids
• 💧 Metabolic – IV fluids, electrolytes, dietary management
• 🧪 Toxins – emergency detox, activated charcoal, supportive care
• 📉 Seizure control – anti-seizure medications if needed

In some cases, supportive care and time are essential. Other times, referral to a neurologist or imaging center is recommended. 🏥

7. How to Help at Home During an Episode 🏡

If your cat is showing signs of head pressing:

• 🛑 Do not wait—call your vet or Ask A Vet telehealth immediately
• 🛏️ Place your cat in a safe, quiet, padded space
• 💡 Dim lights and reduce stimuli
• 🚫 Don’t attempt to feed, force medicine, or move them unless it’s an emergency

8. Preventative Steps & Screening 🧭

While not always preventable, you can reduce risk through:

• 🧪 Regular bloodwork and senior wellness panels
• 💉 Vaccination against infectious diseases like FIP and rabies
• 🚫 Keeping household toxins secured and away from curious paws
• 📅 Early diagnostics for unusual behaviors—never ignore "quirks"

9. Ask A Vet, Woopf, & Purrz Integration 💬

Ask A Vet: Share a video or photo the moment you observe head pressing. Our licensed veterinarians are trained to assess neurologic emergencies virtually and direct you to care. 🧑‍⚕️

Woopf: Use soft floor padding, calming mats, and assistive tools during recovery or confinement.

Purrz: Provides gentle enrichment post-treatment to restore confidence and brain health through calming games and interaction.

10. Final Thoughts 🧠❤️

Head pressing in cats isn’t just “weird”—it’s a bright red flag 🚩. Knowing what to watch for and acting quickly can make all the difference between a tragic outcome and a manageable condition. Always trust your gut—if something seems off, seek help.

11. Call to Action 📲

Spotted signs of head pressing or neurological changes? Don’t wait—connect with AskAVet.com now. Our telehealth vets are available 24/7 to assess your cat and help you act fast. Your alertness can save their life. 🐱💓