Cat seizures can be triggered by high pitched noises including tin foil and jangling keys, experts find

The rare condition is similar to audiogenic epilepsy in humans

Cats are sensitive to sounds including tin foil (PATRICK PLEUL/AFP/Getty Images)

Household noises including the jangling of keys and the crinkle of tinfoil can trigger seizures in cats, according to experts who have identified a syndrome.

The rare condition, which scientists have named feline audiogenic reflex seizures (Fars), is similar to audiogenic epilepsy in humans.

Owners and vets were previously baffled as to why some pets jerked involuntarily, lost consciousness or appeared to become unaware of their surroundings for several minutes when confronted with seemingly random high-pitched noises, such as the chinking of glasses.

Scientists who set out to explain the phenomenon studied 96 cats, and discovered the syndrome was most common in feline aged 15 years old or above. A third of those affected were from the Birman breed.

Epileptic seizures were triggered by often relatively quiet, high-pitched noises, but were exacerbated when the sounds became louder and more persistent.

Common triggers for Fars included the sound of crinkling tin foil (82 cats), a metal spoon clanging against a ceramic feeding bowl (79 cats), chinking or tapping of glass (72 cats), the rustling of paper or plastic bags (71 cats), tapping on a computer keyboard or clicking a mouse (61 cats), jangling of coins or keys (59 cats), the hammering of a nail (38 cats) and even the clicking of an owner's tongue (24 cats).

The sounds of mobile phone texting and ringing, digital alarms, the tearing of Velcro, running water, firewood splitting, and walking across a wooden floor with bare feet or squeaky shoes, affected a smaller proportion of animals.

One owner reported a cat having a seizure after hearing the short, sharp scream of a young child.

Writing in the 'Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery', the researchers led by Mark Lowrie, from UK vet chain Davies Veterinary Specialists, said they are now trying to identify the genetic basis of the disorder.

Veterinary neurologist Mr Lowrie, from Davies Veterinary Specialists, said a second study soon to be published had identified the drug levetiracetam as an effective treatment for the condition.

"Our experience is that it can completely rid a cat of these sound-induced seizures, including the myoclonic twitches," he added.