Why do cats have a 'crazy' five minutes? The domestic cat shares common ancestry with the African wildcat which has a number of hunting episodes a day, whereas our pet cats have a more sedate lifestyle so need to burn off excess energy.
Main Causes. In most cases, this period of the day is essentially our cat's way of releasing energy in a short, concentrated burst. In the same way that humans are advised to get 30 mins exercise a day, it's often our pet's means of getting the movement they need while venting any pent up frustrations or feelings.
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.
Cat zoomies, mad-half hour, climbing up the walls – there are a number of phrases for that time of day, usually early in the morning or evening, when your cat runs frantically around the house for no apparent reason. Another name for this behaviour is a 'frenetic random activity period' or FRAP.
As for why your cat is angry, chances are it's afraid, feeling territorial, having a conflict with another cat or a dog, or in pain.
An inquisitive tabby poking her nose into that roasted chicken cooling on the countertop may be annoying, but she does not deserve to be treated like a feline Frisbee. Pushing or throwing your cat in frustration can harm her, both physically and in spirit.
Cats are incapable of feeling guilt or showing remorse, but they do try to get back into our good graces if they do something that we don't like. After doing something naughty, cats might try to alter your response by rubbing against you, purring, bunting with their head, grooming you, or kneading you with their paws.
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.
“It's such a high-intensity expulsion of energy and cats are nappers, not sprinters,” Dr. Barrett says. “It most commonly (and annoyingly) happens at night. They usually don't last longer than 1-2 minutes, but they leave a lasting impression.”
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.
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.
If your cat is very social and secure in their territory and relationship with their Owners, they may warm up more easily to cat-loving Pet Sitters, as well. When you get angry at your cat, on the other hand, they get scared and stressed out. All they want is for things to go back to normal.
How Do You Deal With the Zoomies? Consider setting a routine for your puppy that includes time for play, time for training, and time for activity, whether that's playing fetch in the yard or walking around the block. Be sure to get nap time in the routine too. Puppies need lots of rest spread throughout the day.
When a cat's good mood suddenly changes to bad, they aren't being bad. They may be over-stimulated and lash out from too much petting. They may feel ill or they may not like a change in their environment. Serious mood swings can signal a disease like hyperthyroidism and only a vet visit will decode that mood.
When a cat poops, it stimulates a nerve in their body that gives them a euphoric feeling, which might explain why your cat gets the zoomies. The nerve that's being stimulated is called the vagus nerve, and it runs from the brain throughout the body, including the entire digestive tract, Shojai said.
Sleep Habits
Cats often get the zoomies after a long snooze. Because cats sleep much of the day in order to conserve energy (your feline friend can sleep anywhere from 12 to 16 hours a day), when they're awake, they're really awake.
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.
Zoomies are periods of hyperactivity where you may notice your cat moving around the house rapidly, perhaps in laps or up and down the stairs. This may then all come to an abrupt halt and your cat may resume relaxation as she was before getting the zoomies!
Toys that can be chased, swatted, and batted should be provided. Species appropriate punishment such as “hissing” or the use of punishment devices such as a water sprayer, can of compressed air, or hand held alarm are better than using any physical techniques since they are less likely to lead to fear and retaliation.
But sometimes, a zoomies moment after a trip to the bathroom may indicate that there is something more serious going on. They may try to run their discomfort out of their system if they're dealing with things like a urinary tract infection or an inflamed colon.
As well as being a method of communication, staring is also a sign of a close bond between you and your cat, as they are unlikely to hold eye contact with someone they don't like or trust.
Generally, cats do not forgive abuse. However, it depends on the severity. If you've unintentionally caused your cat harm, then you may find forgiveness after you've made repeated attempts to make amends.
Overhead movements or certain noises may frighten an abused cat, triggering a long-term memory of prior trauma. It's possible your cat will carry that unpleasant memory for the rest of his life.
The head bump. It's their way of saying hello, by using the oil glands in front of their ears to greet you as if you're a cat and leave their scent on you. They see you as one of their clan, so bump them right back.