Brain Tumours in Cats: What to Watch For

In this guide

A brain tumour diagnosis is frightening to hear, but it helps to know that the most common type in cats tends to behave quite differently, and often far more manageably, than many people expect.

Meningioma: the most common type by far

Meningioma, a tumour arising from the membranes covering the brain rather than brain tissue itself, accounts for the large majority of primary brain tumours in cats. It typically affects older cats, usually from around ten to thirteen years of age, and is generally slow growing and considered benign, meaning it does not spread elsewhere in the body. The concern comes from its location, since even a benign growth inside the skull can compress the brain and cause symptoms simply by taking up space.

Signs to watch for

• Behavioural changes, such as increased confusion, disorientation or unusual aggression
• Circling, wobbliness, or an uneven gait
• Pacing or restlessness
• Vision changes or apparent blindness
• Seizures, sometimes the only sign in early stages

These signs tend to appear gradually and worsen slowly over weeks to months, which is different from the sudden onset typically seen with a stroke or acute injury. This gradual pattern is actually a useful clue for your vet: a cat that was completely normal yesterday and is suddenly disoriented today is more likely dealing with something acute, such as a stroke, toxin exposure or vestibular episode, than a slow growing tumour, though only proper examination and imaging can tell these apart with confidence.

Diagnosis

A physical and neurological exam gives useful clues, but confirming a brain tumour requires advanced imaging, specifically an MRI or CT scan, which are available mainly through specialist veterinary neurology or referral centres in larger Indian cities. Basic blood work is usually done first to rule out other causes of the symptoms.

Treatment and outlook

Surgical removal is often the treatment of choice for accessible meningiomas, and cats tend to tolerate this surgery well, with the majority of cats seeing their symptoms resolve afterwards and a comparatively low chance of the tumour returning. Radiation therapy is another option, either alongside surgery or on its own for tumours that cannot be safely removed, and can control symptoms for a good length of time. For cats where surgery or radiation is not feasible, medication to reduce brain swelling and control seizures can provide meaningful, if more limited, symptom relief. Given the specialised imaging and surgical care involved, a referral to a veterinary neurologist is often part of the path forward.

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