Have you ever witnessed your cat suddenly get a burst of energy and frantically start zooming around the house? One minute they are napping, the next they are bouncing off the walls! This phenomenon is known as cat zoomies. In this article we explain everything you need to know about these peculiar feline energy bursts.
What Are Cat Zoomies?
Cat zoomies are episodes of sudden, frantic activity in which a cat will manically run, jump, twist, charge around and behave generally crazy, like they are being chased by an invisible entity. These bursts of energy appear unprovoked, and can happen multiple times a day, much to the confusion of the cat owner.
Cats seem possessed during these manic episodes, which can last from a few minutes up to half an hour. Common zoomie behaviors include darting back and forth, jumping on and off furniture, scrambling up cat trees and scratching posts, tail twitching, meowing loudly or yowling, and performing the “zoomie crouch” pose before sprinting off again at top speed.
Why Do Cats Have Zoomies?
There are several theories surrounding the zoomies phenomenon in cats:
- Pent up energy – Cats naturally have energy bursts throughout the day and zoomies are thought to be a way of releasing and burning off pent up energy. An indoor cat that doesn’t expend much energy may build up excessive energy reserves, which then need to be expelled quickly.
- Boredom – Zoomies are more common in cats that live sedentary indoor lifestyles without much stimulation. The running fits could be their way of keeping themselves entertained.
- Mock hunting – Cat zoomies mimic prey chase behavior, so it is thought to be an expression of their natural hunting instinct. Domestic cats still retain these innate instincts, even though they do not need to catch food.
- Delight – Some cat behaviorists believe zoomies are simply outbursts of delight. Cats feel joy and excitement just like people, so zoomies may just be a way of expressing happiness.
Are Cat Zoomies Normal?
Zoomies are generally considered a normal behavior in domestic cats. It is simply an innate feline response ingrained in their predator genetics. However, extremely frequent episodes could suggest a problem such as lack of stimulation or stress. Check for other signs of stress like destructive scratching or loss of appetite.
How To Handle Cat Zoomies
Cat zoomies require no real action from you aside from standing back and staying out of the race track! Never try to restrain or stop your cat during a bout of the zoomies, as redirecting the energy could cause stress. Simply let your cat run free until they tire themselves out. Giving them lots of exercise, playtime, and environmental enrichment will help minimize zoomie episodes. Enjoy the amusing cat zoomies spectacle, and laugh at your peculiar pet letting off steam!
