What Causes Cats to Have the Zoomies

We’ve all witnessed our cats get a sudden burst of energy. One moment they are laying peacefully and the next they are doing laps around your house. What causes cats to have the zoomies though?

There are a multitude of reasons why your furry friend gets a sudden burst of energy. Although a completely normal behavior, sometimes zoomies can be your cat’s way of asking for help. Understanding why your cat gets the zoomies can help to determine if it is normal behavior or part of an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.

What Are Cat Zoomies?

If you own a cat, you probably have a good understanding of what cat zoomies are.

Cat zoomies are when your cat or kitten gets a burst of energy and releases it by:

• Doing laps around your house
• Going up and down the stairs
• Running on and off your lap

These bursts are sudden and only last for a few minutes if that. Then they are right back to sleeping or ignoring you.

Zoomies are most common in kittens but can occur in adult cats as well.

Cat Naps Cause Zoomies

Cats seem to sleep their whole lives away. They can nap for up to 12 to 16 hours a day. Doesn’t that sound nice?

When they wake up, however, they often times zoom around your house to let out all the energy they have saved up by sleeping all day. If your cat often zoomies around your house when they first wake up, this is probably why.

Cats Have An Excellent Hunting Instinct

Another common reason your cat may experience the zoomies is because they are hunting a bug or imaginary prey.

Although we don’t always like to thank about it, our feline friends are predators who enjoy the hunt. While they may look cute and innocent laid on your lap, they crave the chase.

Your Cat Is Excited to See You

Even though your cat probably ignores you often, they tend to enjoy their owner’s company. If every time you walk through the door your cat gets the zoomies, it’s because they are excited to see you.

This may be the case at night as well if you wake up to go to the bathroom. Your cat may zoom through your legs, scaring you half to death in the middle of the night. That sudden terror is just to remind you that they love you!

Zoomies Are Contagious

If you have multiple cats in your house, you may realize that they all seem to get the zoomies at the same time. If one cat gets the zoomies, it inspires the other cats to get them as well. It’s like when one toddler starts running around the house, the others will likely ensue.

Using the Litter Box Can Cause Cats to Have the Zoomies

There are multiple reasons as to why your cat gets the zoomies after using the litter box to go number two. A few of these reasons include:

• It felt good
• Their natural instincts kick in
• They want to get away from the smell of their feces
• It was painful
  

  

Going to the Bathroom Felt Good

Sometimes your cat is just proud of their accomplishment and feels the need to zoom around the house after completing it. The relief they feel from going number two gives them a boost of energy they must let out.

Natural Instincts Kick In

Although your beloved feline friend lives pampered within your home, their wild instincts still kick in sometimes. After they go to the bathroom, their fight or flight instinct kicks in because they become aware that they have not been focusing on their surroundings.

By zooming away, they are protecting themselves from potential predators that could have been stalking them during the deed.

They also may run away because, by nature, they are cleanly animals and don’t want to be near the smell they just created.

Going to The Bathroom Can Be Painful

If your cat appears distressed and cries out loudly during or right after relieving themselves while they are zooming away, it may be because they are in pain. Pain can be caused by infections or inflammations that should be checked out by your vet.

When to Be Worried About Your Cat’s Zoomies

Sometimes, what causes cats to have the zoomies is something negative. If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms along with their zoomies, it may be time to take them to the vet.

• Change in litter box usage
• Shows sign so of distress due to zoomies
• Unusual vocalization
• Weight loss

Older cats that didn’t zoomie a lot in the past but often do now may also have an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.

Cat Zoomies Are Normal

Our furry friends get the zoomies for a wide range of reasons. Knowing what causes cats to have the zoomies can help us to understand if it is time to go to the vet or not.