Why do cats do zoomies

Have you ever witnessed your cat exhibiting brief moments of hyperactivity, racing to and fro and meowing wildly? This is a phenomenon referred to as many as “the zoomies,” but it has a scientific name too: Frenetic Random Activity Periods or FRAP for short. Continue reading to learn more about this behavior and understand what your cat is going through when they are acting so frantic!

What causes the zoomies?

Cats of all ages naturally have lots of energy, especially kittens and younger cats. It is simply an effective way to burn off excess energy for these creatures who sleep much of the day (anywhere between 12 to 16 hours a day). After a long snooze, mad dashes around the house are the ideal way for cats to awaken their mind and body. Furthermore, cats are natural predators and are wont to pursue imaginary prey, even when provided with adequate amounts of food from their owners. You may even catch your kitten taking a lap after a trip to the litterbox, which is simply their celebration of a job well done.

How can I treat the zoomies?

Since FRAP is your cat’s way of releasing pent-up energy, one way to curb this behavior is by dedicating time out of each day to playing with them. These frantic episodes can be prevented by making sure your cat gets to expend a lot of its energy when it is awake. Furthermore, when your cat is experiencing the zoomies, take that opportunity to let your cat chase around its favorite toy. Rather than chasing the imaginary prey in their heads, they will love the chance to pursue a real target.

When do zoomies normally happen?

Contrary to popular belief, cats are not nocturnal but are crepuscular instead! If you are unfamiliar with the term, this means that they are naturally most active at dawn and dusk due to their biological need to take advantage of cooler times of day in order to more effectively hunt. This is why cats so often exhibit FRAP late at night, even if their owners are tucked away in bed. However, domestic cats do not rely on their hunting skills to survive and owners can discourage regular fits of hyperactivity at certain times of day by simply feeding their cats at different hours than dawn and dusk.

When should I worry?

The good news is that the zoomies are completely normal behavior for cats of all ages! However, if your cat starts to exhibit above average levels of activity, it may indicate an underlying health condition such as hyperthyroidism, which increases energy levels in older cats. If your cat is suffering from some type of irritation stemming from allergies or fleas, then they may race around to escape the unpleasant feeling. Keep in mind that the zoomies are normal for all cats but can be cause for concern if their activity is not consistent with their normal behavior.

If you have any questions about your cat’s behavior, contact us at Bayshore Animal Hospital!  We have served Volusia County residents since 1982 and we are driven by our passion for pets. Our team is here to help your furry friend achieve long-term health and well-being. With every service we offer, we also take the time to talk you through the care process and address any additional questions you may have.

The zoomies. Every cat owner is familiar with the incredible burst of crazy energy that all cats get occasionally. Then, it's on. The cat races around at top speed leaping onto and off furniture and generally tearing around making lots of noise.

For some reason, many cats seem to get the zoomies at night when their owner is trying to sleep. Why does that happen, and is there any way to curb it so you can get some sleep?

Why Do Cats Get the Zoomies?

There are a few reasons cats engage in wild bursts of running around the house, acting crazy. They usually have dilated pupils and act hyper-vigilant. They may do this because:

• They have pent-up energy. Cats are generally hunters that expend energy in big bursts while chasing prey. Indoor cats don't get to do that, so the zoomies are often their way of letting out some natural energy. Zoomies are more common and frequent in younger cats, being most frequent in kittens.
• They have anxiety. If a cat suddenly begins having the zoomies when they never did it before, it could indicate stress or anxiety.

• They have a medical problem. Again, if the zoomies begin in a cat that never engaged in it before, a medical problem could be the culprit (especially hyperthyroidism, fleas, or skin allergies).
• They have a litter box problem. Some cats specifically zoom after being in the litter box. That could indicate they're unhappy with the box's cleanliness or that they have discomfort or irritation associated with urination or defecation.

The vast majority of zoomies in cats have to do with pent-up energy.

But Why So Many Zoomies at Night?

Nighttime is when it's quietest in most people's homes, and a cat that slept most of the day while the owners were gone may be up and looking for something to do then.

Additionally, cats are crepuscular. That means they're naturally most active in the twilight times of dusk and dawn, which is when their rodent prey is most active, so they hunt most successfully. Even though our house cats don't have to survive on hunting, they still have the instinct to be active and "hunt" at those times. Hence, nighttime zoomies.

How Can You Curtail Nighttime Zoomies in Cats?

Here are a few things you can do if your cat has a habit of engaging in zoomies during the night.

Note: this is only for cases of pent-up energy zoomies. If you feel your cat's zoomies may be due to a medical problem, anxiety, or a litter box issue, consult with your veterinarian.

• Engage in a rousing interactive play session before you go to bed. Use a wand toy to impersonate a rodent and get your kitty to let out all that pent-up hunting energy.
• Give the main meal just before you go to bed. After a cat in the wild eats a meal of prey, he takes a nice long nap. You can simulate that with the main meal around your bedtime.
• Provide plenty of enrichment for your cat to engage in during the day. If you're gone most of the day and your cat is alone, be sure you're providing enriching activities to help let out energy and keep kitty from getting bored. Here are some ideas:
• Try an automatic cat toy that turns on randomly throughout the day.
• Put a cat tree near a window with a bird feeder outside.
• Put some kibble inside a puzzle feeder for your kitty to work on throughout the day.
• Break up your cat's daily food allotment and hide it around the home for your kitty to "hunt" all day.

Picture the scene: it's 3am, and you and your family are sleeping soundly until the unwelcome sound of cat zoomies disturbs the peace. A bit of a pain, right? 

While us humans love nothing more than enjoying a well-earned spot of shut-eye in the evening, our feline friends often have other ideas. Although cats are not nocturnal, they are crepuscular which means that they’re most active at dusk and dawn and likely to be heard making a ruckus at inopportune moments. 

So, if your feline friend is prone to episodes of cat zoomies, also known as Frenetic Random Activity Periods, is this normal? And is there anything you can do to control your cat's random outbursts? 

Well, for the comfort and wellbeing of you, as well as your human and furry family members, read on to find out all about cat zoomies. 

What is a cat zoomie? 

Cat zoomies are those moments of overexcitement or stress that affect some cats. If your cat is prone to cat zoomies, you might recognise these episodes as a mad half-hour where your cat races around frantically. 

This behavior is also known as Frenetic Random Activity Periods or frapping. Frapping episodes might include other signs of excitability or stress, including dilated pupils, yowling, climbing, and pouncing. 

How long do cat zoomies last? 

Cat zoomies tend to be reasonably short, lasting anywhere from a couple of minutes to half an hour. Although that doesn't sound like a long time, it may feel much longer if you're trying to sleep or fruitlessly trying to protect your new curtains or furniture from scratching claws!

What does it mean when cats do zoomies? 

You’re probably wondering why cats get the zoomies and whether it's normal. Well, cat zoomies are a natural behavior that most cats will display at some time or other. However, it's most commonly seen in young and indoor cats. 

Although occasional frapping episodes are pretty normal, they can also signify that your cat is stressed, frustrated, or isn't getting the mental or physical stimulation they need. If your cat is left alone for long periods, for instance, they may become bored, anxious, or stressed.

You might even notice other stress signs like overgrooming, urinary issues, or pooping outside the litter box. Cat zoomies are also common after eating, perhaps because your cat has plenty of energy to burn off!

How do you stop a cat from doing zoomies? 

Watching your cat racing around frantically doing zoomies can seem funny. But, if it's happening too often, it might be a sign that they're bored or under-stimulated. Not only that but regular cat zoomies are bound to take their toll on your relationship with your cat, especially if they're noisy or destructive. 

1. Keep them stimulated

The best way to ensure that your cat isn't feeling frustrated or anxious is to keep them entertained and stimulated. It's particularly important to know how to keep indoor cats entertained. You can do this by interacting with them frequently and engaging in regular playtime. 

Follow these links if you're looking for a guide on the best cat toys to buy for your feline friend or you’re not sure how to play with your cat to keep them occupied.

2. Create a calming environment

If you've tried increasing the time you spend with your cat, and they're still seeming wound-up or stressed, there are a few more things you could try. First, you could try using anti-anxiety sprays or diffusers, reducing noise, and generally creating a calmer environment to help your furry friend settle. This might even have the added benefit of helping your cat to sleep at night.

3. Feed small amounts more frequently

Finally, to stop your cat from having huge spikes in their energy levels, you could try feeding them small amounts more frequently throughout the day. Using puzzle feeders can be a handy tool to entertain them while controlling their eating.

When to visit your veterinarian

It's essential to recognise the signs that your cat might be suffering from stress, boredom, or under-stimulation. Feline stress can quickly lead to skin problems caused by overgrooming, and stress-induced cystitis can lead to a blocked bladder, which is a life-threatening condition.

 So, if your cat seems unwell at all, or you've noticed bald patches or sore skin, it's time to call the veterinarian. Equally, if your cat is passing urine more frequently, is straining, or you've noticed blood when they pee, they need a veterinary check-up. 

However, if your cat seems well aside from their regular zoomies, it's best to try to increase their mental and physical stimulation before calling the veterinarian. If things haven't improved after a couple of weeks, though, give your veterinary team a call for advice. 

Conclusion 

Cat zoomies can seem quite entertaining to onlookers. After all, who doesn't enjoy watching their cat race around, seemingly having a whale of a time? Well, it turns out that cat zoomies aren't necessarily a good thing, and if done too frequently, they could be a sign that your poor puss is feeling a bit bored or even a bit anxious. 

By trying some of the methods in this article, you might be able to reduce your cat's zoomie episodes. Still, if you're concerned about them and their energetic outbursts, you should ask your veterinarian for advice.