While most of the time, the zoomies' meaning is just normal excitement and no cause for alarm, there are some behavioral and medical origins that pet parents should be aware of for their dogs and cats. Feline Hyperthyroidism: This is the most serious medical cause of zoomies in cats.
It's actually a natural behaviour that a lot of cats display, but it's more common in younger cats or indoor-only cats. While an occasional burst of 'frapping' is quite normal, if your cat is getting the zoomies on a daily basis then this could be a sign that they are under-stimulated and frustrated.
Playing Through the Zoomies
actually has the most beneficial effects if it is provided relatively frequently in short energetic bursts of activity." Being an active participant in the zoomies is a great way for you to bond with your kitty, help them release pent-up energy and tire them out for their next snooze.
The most common reason cats experience the zoomies is pent-up energy. Cats rest and sleep for a majority of the day to conserve energy for short, very active periods. Without intentional exercise and activity, your kitty will need to find a way to get that extra energy out, resulting in a case of the zoomies.
Zooming behavior is often how cats engage their inner predator. These play periods allow our furry companions to hone their survival instincts — think stalking, pouncing and pursuing. For the vast majority, zoomies are a healthy expression of excitement.
The science behind 'cat zoomies'
Increasing a cat's daytime activity by providing them with food puzzles, a bird feeder to watch, or some other kind of enrichment can all help calm a cat down before bedtime, Delgado explains.
Buuuuut, zoomies are a part of the job and in most cases, it's a sign of a healthy, playful cat. “If cats are merely running and jumping around for five minutes, it's not necessary to stop the cat,” says Dr. Erin Wilson, a veterinarian and medical director for New York's ASPCA told PetMD.
Zoomies don't last long.
Most of the time, a case of the zoomies lasts less than a few minutes. Although they have been known to extend upwards of 10 minutes, that is not typical.
With this in mind, you can expect your cat to start calming down once they hit around 6 months of age, with there being a gradual but predictable drop in energy levels up to the first year of their life.
In short, it's best to just let a case of the zoomies happen. These bursts of pent up energy are a positive experience and zoomies are perfectly safe for your dog, so there's no need to step in and stop a good thing. “It's good to let your dog be a dog,” Silverman suggests.
The zoomies are a normal and natural dog behavior. Not all dogs participate, but those that do often seem gleeful, as if they are having a fabulous time. In fact, play bows often go hand in hand with the behavior. As dogs are finally letting out their pent-up energy, it's no wonder they seem to be having so much fun.
Before bedtime, make a general sweep of the house and pick up anything that rolls, bounces, or makes noise. If your cat isn't tempted, it's a lot more likely he'll sleep. If you have the rare cat who plays quietly, you can leave the toys out.
Dog zoomies are both a physical and mental action, and are often a way to relieve stress, says Dr. Sackman. If a dog has put up with a less than desirable experience—such as a bath, a vet visit or a day alone with minimal stimulation—FRAPs provide a way for that dog to expend nervous energy and get some relief.
As many cat owners know, there is such a thing as the cat witching hour. It usually happens at night – maybe as you're getting ready to go to sleep or perhaps while asleep – when your cat is raring to play.
A cat who chooses to sleep on or close to you is showing their love and trust in you. Even if they choose to lie just out of reach for petting, this means that they feel safe and trust that you will protect them, or they will protect you if danger appears. Cats show love in many ways.
Catnip can calm and soothe some cats. As an herb, catnip is easy to grow at home. If you grow it, you may find your kitty indulging in it at intervals throughout the day and maybe even chewing on it. For the most part, it's a fairly harmless indulgence.
The most common signs of an unhappy cat are cowering, hissing, and fleeing. But sometimes your cat may not show obvious signs of stress. This is why as a pet owner you should have knowledge of how cats behave when they're depressed.
If you do it correctly, the answer is yes. Many cats, despite the common and persistent myth that they are aloof, welcome affection from their people. In fact, petting and holding your cat helps build a loving relationship between the two of you.
Johnson recommends scents such as honeysuckle and lavender, which can have a calming effect on cats. “At the vet practice, when we have an aggressive cat in the exam room, we'll put a couple of drops of lavender oil on a paper towel, so it's just airing in the exam room,” she says.
Should I keep my cat in at night? Cats Protection recommends that you keep your cat in at night to keep them safe. Increased risks during night time include: Road traffic injuries and fatalities.
Where Cats Go at Night. It's natural to wonder where the heck cats go at night. At home, they're usually sleeping, playing, cuddling, eating, or sleeping some more.