Every cat owner and cat mum knows it. One moment your cat is sleeping peacefully and the next moment your cat – with its ears in its neck – is running around the house like a madman and seems to see all sorts of things you don’t. And after five minutes, your cat goes back to sleep and pretends nothing is wrong.
In English, these moments are called ‘Cat Zoomies’. And in the Netherlands, we often talk about a cat’s ‘crazy fifteen minutes’ or ‘crazy five minutes’. For the sake of convenience, in this blog we talk about Zoomies.
Why do cats get Zoomies and run around the house?
Zoomies can be thought of as short bursts of energy and they are generally quite normal. When your cat acts so crazy, it is of course super funny to watch, but it is useful to know what causes that behaviour. Because sometimes Zoomies can have other reasons too. Here we tell you the three most common causes of Zoomies.
1. To get rid of built-up energy
Cats are originally true hunters. Felines in the wild do not hunt all day, but save their energy to react effectively and quickly when they see prey.
Of course, domesticated cats don’t really need to hunt anymore – their food is provided by the master. They get rid of their energy by playing or running outside after mice or insects. Has your cat been playing little or running outside? Then it could be that your cat has accumulated too much energy and wants to let off steam. And that is what your cat does with a Zoomie.
Tip: Does your cat often have Zoomies? If so, your cat may be bored. Play with your cat more often and have a high cat tree in the house where your cat can enjoy climbing and playing.
2. Running after defecating
Some cats pull a sprint when they have done a big errand in the litter box. Does your cat do this? Then it is a good idea to check whether your cat might be suffering from constipation (obstipation), diarrhoea or some other change in his bowel movements. So a quick visit to the vet.
Is there nothing wrong with your cat? Then it could also be that your cat doesn’t like the smell of its own poo. Or that the litter box is not clean enough. Therefore, always make sure you have a clean litter box with good lump-forming cat litter that also absorbs foul odours.
3. Running from itching or pain
When cats are itchy or in pain, it can also make them act a little crazy. Does your cat suddenly have Zoomies more often and does your cat scratch itself more often than before? Then check if your cat has fleas and treat with a good anti-flea product. Does that not solve the problem? Then it could also be that your cat is allergic to something – to a plant, perfume, a chemical or food.
And it is not common, but cats can also get Zoomies due to pain or stress. In fact, cats are very hard to read on that front – they don’t like to show that they are in pain or not feeling well. If your cat suddenly does the following things, your cat may be suffering from stress, irritation or pain:
- Your cat scratches itself more often than usual
- Your cat washes itself more often and always in the same place
- Your cat pulls (a kind of twitching movement) with its skin
If you think your cat has itching, an allergy or pain, it is always wise to ask your vet for advice.
Does your cat have Zoomies especially at night?
Cats are nocturnal animals and sleep an average of 16 hours a day. And they mostly do so during the day. This means that at night they often run around the house like mad – just when you want to sleep. Does your cat often keep you awake with Zoomies? If so, here’s what you can do:
- Make sure your cat gets enough exercise during the day
- Play with your cat regularly and preferably for 10 minutes at a time
- Let your cat go outside (if it is safe to do so)
- Alternate hunting toys with interactive cat toys
- Place a challenging cat tree in the house
- Give your cat its favourite toy just before bedtime
Find out how cats’ hearing works and why they can hear so well
Disclaimer: Petrebels does not consist of veterinarians or behavioral experts: all content, information and tips on this blog are intended to inspire and inform you. Does your cat have complaints or problems and do you have doubts about your cat’s health? Then always go to the vet or a behavioral expert.
