Does your cat go berserk and zoom about the house? Most of the time its funny to watch, but like other typical cat behavior zooming cats can be annoying and destructive. Your cat has no sense of timing, and zoomies during phone calls, virtual business meetings, or while you’re trying to sleep can be troublesome.
But what are cat zoomies? Why do cat zoomies happen? Can they be stopped? We interviewed two of our team of experts at Cat-World.com, Cat Behaviorist Janet Cutler, Ph.D., and Veterinarian Dr. Jamie Whittenburg (DVM) to answer your questions.
What does cat zoomies mean?
Cat zoomies is when your cat darts about the house with mad abandon. The clinical term for cat zoomies is Frenetic Random Activity Periods. Dr. Cutler told us that, “It has been reported in dogs, rabbits (called ‘binkies’), and many other species, including elephants.”
Zoomies are believed to be caused primarily by pent up energy. When your cat needs stimulation and exercise and isn’t getting it elsewhere, they are likely to zoom about like a stir-crazy toddler. We asked both Dr. Cutler and Dr. Wittenburg for their input on what cat zoomies are, what they look like, and how they happen.
How do cats behave when they have the zoomies?
Are you certain that the behavior your cat is displaying is the zoomies of normal cat behavior? We asked our experts, “What does zoomies look like in cats?” Here are their answers:
“Cats that have zoomies may run around, jump up on furniture, climb, and show hyperactivity,” Dr. Cutler explained. “They may then suddenly stop and behave normally. Zoomies are more common in younger cats and kittens, however adult cats may also perform the behavior.”
Dr. Wittenburg had this to add: “Cat zoomies are characterized by sudden bursts of activity in a cat. They usually occur infrequently, and many cats have a certain time of the day that they “zoom.” The cat may run very quickly across the room, pounce energetically on a toy, or suddenly begin chasing their tail.”
How long do cat zoomies last?
Cat zoomies happen in kittens and adult cats of all ages, but they will decrease in frequency as your cat gets older. As for how long each session of zoomies will last, Dr. Wittenburg had this to say: “Zoomies are short lived, typically only a matter of minutes.”
If your cat is zooming much more than this, it could be an indication of a problem and you should contact your vet, especially if it is new behavior. Letting your cat have their run of the house until they get it out of their system is usually the best option.
When is my cat most likely to get zoomies?
Dr. Wittenburg weighed in to answer this question:
“In my experience with my personal cats, they are most likely to get the zoomies in the late evening. Right before the humans’ bedtime has always been all of my cats’ favorite zooming time.”
What causes cat zoomies?
Cat zoomies are most common in younger cats, and it is simply a matter of having too much energy. Kittens with playmates are less likely to have the zoomies frequently. Older cats may need more entertainment or active play, and when they don’t get it the zoomies let them expend that energy.
Post-poop zoomies are particularly common in younger cats, as Dr. Cutler explains: “Some cats may also show zoomies after using the kitty litter. While some cats do this commonly, if it’s a new behavior for your cat keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t dealing with constipation or other bowel-related issues.”
Here’s what our experts had to say.
Why does a cat get the zoomies?
Veterinarian Dr. Wittenburg answers: “No one actually knows scientifically why a cat gets the zoomies. It may be due to pent up energy after sleeping 22 hours a day. It may also have to do with the cat’s circadian rhythm and their periods of energy. Others have theorized that domestic cats get the zoomies as a result of a long-buried need for hunting from their wild ancestors.”
Are there medical reasons behind zoomies?
Cat zoomies are perfectly normal, and they usually aren’t related to medical conditions. That said, both Dr. Wittenburg and Dr. Cutler warn that any new or suddenly changed behavior should be reported to your vet. Look for other symptoms of distress if your cat’s zoomies suddenly seem increased in frequency or duration.
Dealing with cat zoomies
Cat zoomies usually don’t pose a problem of any kind, but there are some situations in which you might want to limit the behavior. Unfortunately, there’s no stopping zoomies once they have started. You must let them run their course. If your cat seems to always have the zoomies at the least opportune times, like during a virtual business meeting or while you’re asleep, you can take steps to limit their access to the home so that you can be uninterrupted.
The only way to decrease the frequency of zoomies is to spend more time playing games with your cat to help them get out all of their energy. There is no preventing zoomies altogether – it is natural cat behavior that will never fully disappear.
How do you prevent cat zoomies?
We asked Dr. Wittenburg this question, and her first response was, “You don’t prevent kitty zoomies! Not every cat will zoom, but it is a normal behavior.” However, she had some helpful tips for living with a cat that gets the zoomies.
“If the cat is disrupting your sleep by zooming in the middle of the night, you may need to have the cat sleep in a separate area, away from your bedroom. If they occur when you are awake, you can try to engage you cat and play with them – it’s a great way to bond!”
When we asked what cat owners can do about zoomies, Dr. Cutler agreed that spending time with your cat is the best route:
“Give your cat more mental stimulation throughout the day. This could be in the form of food balls, puzzles, or snuffle mats. Playing games with your cat that allows them to use their predatory instincts, such as a cat dancer, fetch, or other interactive toys can be something they would really enjoy. You can also clicker train your cat and teach them some new tricks.”
When should I call my vet about cat zoomies?
Any new behavior from your cat should be brought up to your vet. Dr. Cutler points out that, “If your cat is older and suddenly develops zoomies, and have been losing weight and changing behavior in other ways, you should contact your veterinarian as it could be a sign of disease such as hyperthyroidism.”
Dr. Wittenberg went into further detail as to when you should contact your vet about cat zoomies:
“Zoomies in a healthy cat are normal cat behavior and are not caused by a medical issue. However, if a cat begins displaying abnormal behavior such as seizure like activity, excessive vocalization, pacing, or running from the litter box, there could be a medical issue. The cat should be seen by their veterinarian as soon as possible.”
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