Has your cat had the zoomies? Learn more about them here!
You might have heard about cats zooming around the house, and you might also have heard of dogs having zoomies, too. If you have experienced it personally, you might be alarmed. Let’s take a look at why cats have zoomies and how you should respond. If you have any questions about your pet’s health or need a local vet in central Maryland, Everhart Veterinary Medicine is happy to be of assistance.
What Are Cat Zoomies?
Cat “zoomies” are the phenomenon of indoor cats tearing through your home at top speeds for a sudden and short time interval. As if a switch turned on, your cat might go from sleeping on its perch to racing around the house in a mere second to resuming its previous position. While this behavior might be startling during the day, it can be even more alarming in the middle of the night. The most unnerving part of the experience is likely the chance your cat will mess up the home and break or knock over your belongings.
Why Do Cats Have Zoomies?
Pent-up Energy
The most common cause of cat zoomies is pent-up energy. Your cat sleeps most of the day and is the most active at dawn and dusk. Contrary to the popular myth, cats are not nocturnal. With long resting periods and plenty of healthy food, they are bound to have energy that needs releasing. Some cats might expel this energy through Frenetic Random Activity Periods, also known as FRAPs. FRAPs is the technical term for pet zoomies.
Pain, Anxiety, or Disgust
Less common but possible reasons for cat zoomies include physical pain, anxiety, and disgust. If your cat is in pain, it will also display other signs of pain like irritability, excessive grooming, sensitivity, etc. If your cat is startled, it might respond by racing away. Lastly, a stinky litter box could cause your cat to speed away from the odor. You can easily fix this by cleaning the litter box regularly.
What to Do about Cat Zoomies
If your cat is displaying signs of pain or another adverse medical condition, you should see your local veterinarian. Otherwise, make sure that your cat has enough physical and mental stimulation each day through interactive cat toys and playtime, which helps you bond. Cat trees can also be beneficial. Keep fragile items safe from your cat, and let the zoomies roll!
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With three Maryland locations in Baltimore, Pasadena, and Cross Keys, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131, 410-793-7670, or 443-470-6790! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!