Dr. Anish Sheth, a gastroenterologist, says the distension that comes with the passing of a large stool causes the vagus nerve to fire, resulting in a drop in the heart rate and blood pressure which in turn decreases blood flow to the brain. The resulting mild lightheadedness can lead to a high and hence cat zoomies.
“The smell of feces and urine can attract predators [in the wild], so it would be natural to want to move away from that risk as quickly as possible,” Ferrara says. Zoomies—whether post-litter box or just randomly—are a normal part of being a cat, too. “Cats are predators in every sense,” Ferrara explains.
If your kitty tends to get the zoomies after using the litter box, there may be a connection to the vagus nerve that goes from brain to colon. Kitty may be feeling a bit lightheaded or relieved or even euphoric after using the litter box.
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.
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.
“Their litter box might be in there, so it could be a room that smells very familiar. Cats also probably know that when we are on the toilet, we are a captive audience — nowadays we are so busy and distracted that many cats are probably looking for an opportunity to have our undivided attention!”
For the most part, the cat zoomies really are perfectly normal, and if your cat seems happy and looks to be enjoying the workout, it's fine to let him or her be. But there are times when you should definitely not ignore them and instead head to the vet. “It's all about the context,” says Dr. Caporale.
Cats are naturally active at dawn and dusk, and sleeping all day gives them energy to play at night. If cat zoomies keep you awake, small chunks of playtime during the day may help them sleep at night. Offering a few smaller meals instead of one big dinner may also help level out their energy.
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.
Are Cats Supposed to Clean Themselves After Going to the Bathroom? "Cats are naturally clean critters, so they are inclined to clean up after using the litter box," Dr. Zay told POPSUGAR. "Typically though, they have little to no residue from their bathroom habits.
Your cat may have associated the litter box with pain if it has a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), bladder infection, or kidney infection and is thus peeing outside the litter box. They could even be peeing outside the box as a signal to get your attention for an ailment its having.
Your Cat Stares at You to Show Affection
Cats can use staring as a nonverbal way of communicating. Even though a long, unblinking stare may not be the best way for humans to show affection, when your fur baby does this, it may mean they're showing love to their favourite owner.
Remember: if a cat's not covering his poop, he's not trying to be mean or show that he's mad at you. A cat typically doesn't cover his poop because of stress, pain, or litter box problems. So go easy on your little fur baby and try some of these solutions to see if they help.
"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.
Avoidance, Perching and “Hit-and-Run” Eliminators
If the instinct to cover is very strong, some cats may paw at the wall near the box or on the floor in front. Some cats vigorously shake their paws after exiting the box to rid themselves of the unpleasant litter.
Yes, the zoomies are a sign of being happy. It's not a bad thing, and it's a sign that your dog is enjoying life.
The Mad Half Hour appears to be particularly common in housecats. You've heard of the expression “climbing up the walls”. Well, like us, if your feline friend spends too much time indoors, they may need to start expelling their energy in not necessarily the most constructive of ways.
Frenetic Random Activity Periods, or FRAPs, occur when an animal has to express excess energy. Since cats sleep for most of the day, when they wake up they may experience a sudden and intense need to quickly move around. The zoomies may also be seen after a cat's satisfying trip to the litter box.
Snuggles, Cuddles, Lap Sits and Co-Sleeping.
You'll know your cat is happy if they show affection to you and want to interact with you. A content kitty loves scritches, snuggles, head boops, and lap sits.
What are zoomies? Zoomies (or the zoomies) is a slang term for a sudden burst of hyperactivity by a dog, cat, or other animal—such as rapidly running back and forth or in circles. The term is typically applied to pets, as opposed to wild animals.
That's what many people call the 'zoomies', and it turns out they can happen to adults, too. TikTok creator and comedian Hannah Berner admits she suffers from this pet-like behaviour, and it happens on the reg. So she took to social media to dub her nightly, unintentional ritual the 'adult zoomies'.
Closing a door prevents them from accessing all parts of their own territory which is something that territorial creatures hate!
"Affectionate cats love to be around their owners no matter where they are," Dr. Alleyne said. He went on to explain that cats who are affectionate may not understand that the bathroom is a place for privacy and will be adamant about following you there.
Whatever the reason, appreciate that your cat follows you into the bathroom to spend time with you. While it can seem annoying at times, your kitty probably associates the bathroom as a positive space. Sitting on your lap while you're on the toilet means nonstop caresses. Bath time means playing with bubbles and water.