“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.”
5. 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.
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.
Cats tend to get the zoomies when they're feeling playful and frisky. Zoomies are a natural way for your cat to burn off energy, and they're usually nothing to worry about. If your cat's zoomies have become too much for you, often the simplest way to handle them involves interacting with your cat more during the day.
While zooming could be rooted in a behavioral or medical issue, it's also how some indoor cats relieve their inner predator – think hunting, pursuing, pouncing. This is a healthy expression of excitement.
Cats who get frequent zoomies most likely need more exercise. Make sure your cat gets plenty of playtime during the day. Buy them fun, engaging toys and reserve at least two 15-minute periods each day to play with your cat.
Getting the Midnight Crazies
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.
"For indoor cats who don't get enough exercise, they may engage in the zoomies as a much-needed energy release." Cats of all ages can experience zoomies from pent-up energy, but the behavior may be more common in younger cats and kittens who have more energy to expense.
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.
Similar to humans, cats have a vagus nerve that runs through their whole body, including the colon. When a cat poops, the distention of the rectum causes the vagus nerve to fire, which in turn causes a drop in heart rate and blood pressure. This chain of events can result in a type of 'high' or euphoria for a cat.
Certain times of day may elicit the zoomies more than others. Evenings are most common for cats to zoom if they don't get enough exercise throughout the day or are eager to play when you come home from work. Stressful triggers, like bath time or lifestyle changes, can also warrant a race around the living room.
Zoomies is generally caused by a build-up of excess energy which is then released in one short burst. Don't worry though, it's a completely natural behaviour. It's most common in and generally occurs less and less as they get older. But that's not to say it'll stop entirely – many older dogs will still have FRAPs!
The best thing you can do is to leave your kitty to it - stop petting them, gently walk away and don't follow them around or try to console them in any way. Wait some time before approaching them again and of course, it goes without saying that you should never punish your kitty for their symptoms of overstimulation.
“However, if a dog zooming around the house or yard appears in pain, frightened or anxious, then the owner should investigate what caused the distress by seeking veterinary help,” says Perry.
Occasionally is fine, but a dog that zooms frequently might be one that is spending too much time in the crate or dealing with too much stress. “If they're often happening in the house, then you're probably not giving your dog enough physical and mental stimulation,” she suggests.
Tire your cat out.
There are several ways to do this: Play hard then rest, and play hard again. Cats are built for short spurts of energy and a good play session consists of several highs and lows. Play into this by tiring out your cat for a few minutes, letting it rest, and then restarting play again and repeat.
We sell many of the Meowijuana products in our front lobby. While catnip helps to calm most cats, it doesn't work for everyone. Catnip makes some cats very sleepy and makes some very playful and energetic.
Training or playing with your cat an hour or two before bedtime is a great way to expend pent up energy. Make sure they are engaged and get their heart rate up! If you're too busy to play with your cat in the evening, try our new Jump N' Jamb toys for a hands-free way to keep them entertained and active!
Many domestic cats spend their days alone indoors while their people are at work. When the cat's person comes home in the evening, the cat may be very active and want to play. If it has no outlet for all this energy, the cat may exhibit some crazy behavior.
Cats usually bite because they're communicating messages or want you to stop doing something. It's important to understand what your cat is communicating! When cats bite, they're telling you that they aren't enjoying the contact they're receiving.
Cat anxiety can cause bodily reactions and changes in your cat's behavior. An anxious cat may have physical reactions such as increased heart and respiratory rates, panting, trembling, and salivation. The most obvious behavior changes are increased movement, hiding, destruction, and excessive vocalization.
9-14 months: Congratulations! Your kitten is now an adult. By this time they will have adjusted to their human family's routine. You can expect more restful nights of sleep and a generally calmer more docile cat.
This is because cats are crepuscular, which means they hunt and are active in the evening or early morning. This cat behavior at night is sometimes called the night crazies and may cause lack of sleep for cat owners. If your cat won't let you sleep, there are things you can do to help.
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.