Cat Hyperesthesia (Twitchy Skin) Episode Tracker
Feline hyperesthesia episodes - rippling skin along the back, frantic tail-swishing, sudden biting or running - come and go, and it's the change in how often and how long they happen that matters. PetHealthLog lets you log each episode, note duration and possible triggers, and see the trend, so the picture you bring your vet is real. Free, no account, works offline.
Start tracking - it's freeTwitchy-cat episodes are easy to lose track of
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome - sometimes called rolling-skin or twitchy-cat syndrome - shows up as short, intermittent episodes: skin rippling along the back, violent tail-swishing, dilated pupils, repeated biting or licking at the back or tail, and sudden bursts of running or vocalising. Episodes often last only seconds to a couple of minutes, which is part of what makes them so easy to miss or forget.
From memory, that pattern is almost impossible to judge. "He's seemed twitchier lately, I think" is a weak basis for a vet conversation, and because episodes are brief and scattered, owners rarely know whether they're getting more frequent, longer, or settling down.
A simple log closes the gap. PetHealthLog is free, needs no account and works offline, so a quick tap right after an episode - with its length and what was happening just before - builds a frequency record you and your vet can actually read.
What the tracker actually does
Log each episode in seconds
A quick tap records an episode as it happens, so the brief, scattered events build into a real frequency trend instead of a vague sense of 'more lately'.
Note duration and what triggered it
Jot how long the episode lasted and what was going on just before - petting near the tail base, a stressful event, a particular time of day - so possible triggers become visible.
Watch the frequency trend
Because every episode lands on one timeline, whether they're getting more frequent, longer, or easing off becomes obvious - the kind of change a vet wants to know about.
Keep any medication alongside
If your vet has started a medication or routine, log it on the same timeline so you can see episodes against what's being tried.
A vet-ready PDF
Export a clean record of episode frequency, duration and triggers, so a hyperesthesia conversation with the vet starts from real data - which is exactly what helps assess severity.
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If you're trying to reduce stress triggers at home, these are common over-the-counter options. They support a calmer environment only - any episode pattern still needs your vet.
Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate, PetHealthLog may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Informational only, not veterinary advice.
Get started in under a minute
- Open the app - no download from a store and no sign-up required.
- Add your cat (or each cat in a multi-cat home).
- Tap to log each episode, and note its length and what happened just before.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this cat hyperesthesia tracker really free?
- Yes. Logging episodes, noting duration and triggers, keeping any medication alongside, and the PDF report are all free. There is no sign-up and no account, and your cat's records stay on your own device.
- Why track hyperesthesia episodes at all?
- Because episodes are brief and intermittent, a written record of how often they happen, how long they last and what came before is far more useful than memory - and monitoring duration and frequency is exactly what helps a veterinarian assess severity and judge whether a treatment is working. The tracker keeps that record; your vet interprets it.
- What hyperesthesia signs are worth a vet visit?
- Self-directed biting that breaks skin, episodes that are getting more frequent or longer, or any seizure-like collapse, disorientation or distress are worth prompt veterinary attention - and a tracked history makes that conversation concrete. If your cat seems to be in severe distress or injuring itself, contact your vet right away.
- Does it work offline?
- Yes. PetHealthLog is a progressive web app that works offline, so you can log an episode the moment it ends without a connection.
- Is this a substitute for veterinary advice?
- No. PetHealthLog is a record-keeping tool, not veterinary advice. It does not diagnose anything; hyperesthesia and conditions that can look like it must be assessed by a licensed veterinarian. The tracker just records what you observed.
See whether your cat's episodes are easing or building
Free, offline, and ready the moment you open it.
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