Cat zoomies is a natural behavior many felines tend to exhibit. However, in rare cases, it can signify something is wrong with your pet. Discover the reasons behind zoomies cat and find ways to stop this peculiar cat behaviour.
Defining Cat Zoomies
What are cat zoomies? Cat zoomies occur when felines have a sudden burst of energy, causing them to run around the house frantically. It may appear as if they are chasing after something unseen.
This odd cat behavior is commonly accompanied by loud vocalisations, climbing, arched back, and dilated eyes.
Cat zoomies are clinically called Frenetic Random Activity Periods or FRAPS. All cats experience the zoomies, but this behaviour commonly happens in kittens, young cats, and felines living indoors.
“How long do cat zoomies last?” is a most asked question in the cat community. Zoomies cat does not last long. It typically happens for about 1–2 minutes, but sometimes it can run up to approximately half an hour.
Another frequently asked question is: “Do cats grow out of zoomies?” Most cats outgrow the zoomies; however, some may continue to exhibit this cat behaviour even after reaching adulthood.
On the brighter side, zoomies cats become shorter and less frequent as felines age.
6 Common Reasons behind Cat Zoomies
Is zoomies normal for cats? Cat zoomies are a normal part of feline behaviour, but in rare cases, it can be a sign that something is wrong with your pet. Let us look into the common causes to find out what it means when cats have zoomies.
Zoomies Cat Cause #1: Natural Predatory Instinct
Indoor cats possess the urge to stalk and hunt for prey, much like their wild ancestors. They engage in pouncing, jumping, and running to and fro as a way to practise their hunting skills even though they do not need to hunt for food.
Zoomies Cat Cause #2: Shave Off Excess Energy
Cats love to sleep for long periods, ranging from 12 to 16 hours a day. It often causes them to have high levels of pent-up energy once they wake up.
This is especially true for kittens and younger cats. Thus, they tend to throw mad dashes around the house to burn extra energy.
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Zoomies Cat Cause #3: Different Body Clock
Many pet owners wonder: What causes cat zoomies in the middle of the night? Felines are crepuscular animals, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk.
In the mornings, they snooze to conserve their energy, and they stay up when it is late in the evening.
The reason behind cat zoomies at night can be traced back to the hunting practices of the domestic cat’s wild ancestors.
Wildlife is most active late at night and early in the morning. Hence, big cats in the wild prefer to go out and hunt around this time of the day.
Zoomies Cat Cause #4: Afterpoop Celebration
“Why does my cat get zoomies after pooping?” is one of the most asked questions about this cat’s behaviour. Cat zoomies after pooping are your pet’s victory lap after using her litter box.
It could also mean she is running away from the stink of her poop. On the other hand, zoomies cat can be symptoms of bowel issues such as constipation and stomach upset.
Zoomies Cat Cause #5: Old Age-Related Health Issues
Older cats do not exhibit zoomies frequently, unlike kittens and younger felines. If this behaviour has become a regular habit for a geriatric cat, its root cause might be something serious.
Senior cat zoomies can be brought on by cognitive decline and brain problems such as dementia. Gradual loss of eyesight and hearing due to old age may also lead to frequent cat zoomies in senior felines.
Zoomies Cat Cause #6: Other Health Problems
Some cases of cat zoomies are induced by different feline ailments. A cat suddenly running and yowling might suffer from flea or tick infestation.
Serious health issues such as Cushing’s disease, brain tumours, poisoning, and liver disease can alter feline behaviour and cause cat zoomies.
Know When to Take Your Cat to the Vet
Should I ignore cat zoomies? Do not dismiss cat zoomies so easily. Although it is considered normal, it can be a sign of health problems too. Watch out if your feline friend’s zoomies are accompanied by these behaviours:
- Increased vocalisation
- Sudden weight loss
- Excessive scratching
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Changes in litter box usage
If your cat zoomies for hours, it could also mean she has an underlying health issue. Take her to the vet immediately if she displays several of these symptoms to make sure she receives timely and appropriate treatment.
5 Ways to Stop Cat Zoomies
How do you calm down a cat in zoomies? Cats with an intense case of the zoomies can be calmed down by making some changes in their daily routine. It includes adjusting their feeding schedule and playtime.
If you are tired of watching your cat running around frantically after empty air, here are some helpful tips to reduce her zoomies cat.
Cat Zoomies Prevention Tip #1: Engage your cat with more play sessions.
Playing with your cat helps tire her out and keeps her from having cat zoomies. In general, domesticated felines, especially hyper cats, should have at least two 15-minute interactive play sessions per day.
Use interactive toys such as battery-operated mice and feather wands to keep her active and busy. Avoid using laser light since your feline friend cannot catch it, which may cause her stress and frustration.
Cat owners often ask: “How to stop cat zoomies at night?” Playing with your cat an hour and a half before bedtime will thoroughly exhaust her.
She would prefer to sleep rather than stay awake late in the evening. Thus, your cat is unlikely to have cat zoomies at night.
Cat Zoomies Prevention Tip #2: Break your cat’s meals into small portions.
Avoid feeding your feline companion one large meal. It provides her with heaps of energy, causing her to have cat zoomies. Divide her food into 3–4 smaller meals throughout the day to help minimise her energy levels.
Using a puzzle feeder is also a good idea. It prevents your cat from consuming her food quickly and provides her with mental and physical stimulation.
Cat Zoomies Prevention Tip #3: Adjust his night-time feeding schedule.
Consider feeding your feline friend earlier in the evening. Then follow it up with another meal closer to your bedtime to prevent her from asking for food in the middle of the night.
Always take your cat’s food bowl away after mealtime. Avoid free-feeding or grazing since it encourages late-night feedings. She might make it a habit to wake up around dawn or dusk to eat, which increases the chances of cat zoomies.
Cat Zoomies Prevention Tip #4: Clean your cat’s litter box regularly.
Keep your pet from having cat zoomies after pooping by scooping out her faeces every day. It prevents her litter box from becoming smelly.
We also recommend completely washing the litter box once every other week. If this is not possible, once a month will do. Doing so reduces the risk of bacterial or viral infections as well as urinary problems.
Cat Zoomies Prevention Tip #4: Keep up with regular vet check-ups.
Avoid disease-induced cat zoomies by ensuring that your feline friend gets vet check-ups once or twice a year. If she is a senior cat, she should have check-ups once every 6 months.
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Examinations will be conducted to find out if your pet has developed any illnesses. The sooner health problems are detected, the higher the chances of successful treatment.
Cat zoomies might seem like odd behaviour, especially if it is your first time witnessing it. Never scold your feline friend for behaving this way since it is a natural part of her. Instead, use the tips we have shared above to reduce her cat zoomies.
Also, beware not to pick up your pet when experiencing zoomies cat. She might end up scratching or biting you due to overstimulation.
Wait for her cat zoomies to die down and let her settle for about 10–15 minutes before initiating bonding time with her.