Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Cat Zoomies: What Are They & When to Worry? (Vet Answer)

cat zoomies

You may have noticed your usually chill cat having sudden bursts of energy, often tearing about the house with dilated pupils and a flicking tail. These wild moments are often referred to as “the zoomies,” though the official term for them is “frenetic random activity periods,” or FRAP. Frapping is a natural behavior exhibited by most cats (some more than others!), but why does it happen? When should you be worried?

divider cat paws oct 2024

The 5 Reasons Why Your Cat Gets the Zoomies

Zoomies or frapping tends to be more common with indoor cats and young cats with higher levels of energy and could have several different causes.

1. Hunting Behavior

In the wild, cats would naturally expend a lot of energy and adrenaline hunting and catching prey. The regular domesticated house cat doesn’t use as much energy as they would in the wild because most of their food is provided for them. Hunting and catching prey is usually done for fun rather than a need for survival.

As a result, cats will use up excess energy by zooming around the house, sometimes doing laps, or running up and down the stairs, often wide-eyed and on high alert. This behavior often appears to mimic hunting or even being hunted.

cat playful
Image by: Pixabay

2. Sleeping Patterns

Domesticated cats will spend a lot of their time snoozing the day away in a cozy spot. Cats can sleep for anywhere between 12 and 18 hours per day! When they wake up, zoomies are a way for them to revive and rejuvenate, making sure they are properly awake and ready for action!


3. Litter Box Habits

Some cats seem to get the zoomies after using the litter box, particularly after a bowel movement. While it’s not entirely clear why some cats do this, it appears to be a way of them celebrating “lightening the load”!

cat leaving litter box
Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock

4. Stress

Whilst an occasional episode of the zoomies is entirely normal, if your cat is zooming excessively, then it could be a sign that they haven’t enough stimulation in their life and are frustrated.


5. Partial Seizures

Although rare, FRAP behavior can be attributed to a partial seizure in some cats. This is more likely if your cat has epilepsy.

divider cat paws oct 2024

How Can I Stop My Cat’s Zoomies?

The occasional zooming episode from your cat can often be entertaining to witness and isn’t anything too much to worry about. However, if you suspect your cat might be frustrated or their behavior is a problem, there are a few things you could try.

Playing with your cat is not only a way for them to burn some excess energy but also forms a great bond between you and your feline companion. Try to take advantage of their active times in the morning and evening, as well as short bursts of play throughout the day.

If you are playing games that mimic hunting, then allow your cat to catch and “kill” the toy occasionally, as this is the part of the game that your cat will enjoy the most. Laser pens and videos of moving prey on a screen are frustrating for your cat because they cannot exhibit normal hunting behavior by catching and “killing.”

You could also try feeding your cat in small amounts often throughout the day to try to keep their energy levels more stable. Puzzle feeders and lick-mats are a great way to slow down their eating and provide some mental stimulation for your cat, something that is especially important for indoor cats.

Another great way to mentally stimulate your cat is to teach them a new trick! Cats can be taught to sit, roll over, and give paw the same way that dogs can. Always use positive reinforcement, such as treats or play, when training your cat, and never punish them for getting it wrong.

cat lying while reaching its paw up
Image by: Pixabay

Why Do Zoomies Happen More at Night?

Cats are naturally more active at dawn and dusk, meaning that they are “crepuscular” rather than nocturnal, as many people believe. This is probably due to the fact that wild cats would have needed to take advantage of these cooler times of day to hunt. If your cat often shows bursts of high energy first thing in the morning or late at night, it is probably because this is when they are naturally programmed to feel more active.

When Should I Take My Cat to the Vet?

Most of the time, your cat’s zoomies will be a completely normal part of their behavior and nothing to be concerned about. However, if your cat is zooming much more than usual or has other accompanying signs, it is best to take them to a veterinarian to get them checked over.

For more senior cats in particular, watch out for weight loss, hunger, excessive vocalization, abnormal sleep patterns, or other strange behaviors, as these could be signs of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), a common condition in older cats. Some behavioral issues can be potentially solved by an online consultation.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

divider cat paws oct 2024

Conclusion

Cat zoomies are normal cat behavior, and as long as they’re not excessive or accompanied by any worrying signs, they’re nothing to worry about. In fact, watching your cat tear about the house can be quite entertaining! Even better, grab a toy, and get involved by playing with your cat. Encouraging your cat to chase, catch, and “kill” the toy allows them to exhibit these natural hunting instincts and burn off any excess energy at the same time, all of which makes for one happy kitty!

Related Read: 


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

2 Responses

  1. I really enjoy your comment's and I learn a lot about what my cat's do and what they enjoy. you always have good advice.

    1. Hi Phyllis Williams, thank you very much for reading us and for letting us know you enjoy our site.???? We are delighted to hear that!

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Why Are There So Many Cats in Greece? Interesting Feline Facts

If you’re visiting Greece soon, there’s one thing you’ll likely notice right away: there are cats everywhere. They are one of the country’s...

Carrageenan In Cat Food: Vet-Reviewed Uses, Safety & Verdict

If you’re a cat owner who likes to read pet food labels, you’ll probably come across some ingredients you don’t recognize. Since you...

7 Simple Natural Home Remedies for Cat Hairballs (Vet Answer)

If you stop to think about how much time your cat spends grooming themselves and consider that they ingest a little hair each...

Can Indoor Cats Get Toxoplasmosis? Vet Reviewed Signs & Prevention Tips

As cat owners, we want to keep our cats safe. But we also want to keep our family safe. It seems like when...

More related

Does Fish-Flavored Cat Food Cause Hypothyroidism? Vet-Approved Facts

Just like humans and dogs, cats can suffer from hypothyroidism, though it is quite rare. This endocrine disease is mainly due to the...

Can a Cat Detect Seizures? – What You Need to Know!

Most people know that certain dogs qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Dogs have the ability to detect...

Is It True That All Cats Have White Whiskers? The Facts & FAQ

It appears that nearly all cats have white, almost transparent-looking whiskers, but there are some exceptions. Cats can come in a range of...

Why Is My Cat Licking Everything all of a Sudden? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats have amazing tongues; they’re full of special powers that we can’t even begin to understand. Kitties use their tongues to do everything...

Keep reading

Hand Sanitizer & Cats: Vet-Reviewed Safety Tips & How to Use It Around Your Pets

In the wake of heightened health awareness, hand sanitizers have become a staple in households worldwide. While they offer a convenient way to eliminate germs from our hands, pet owners, particularly cat owners, face a unique set of challenges. Keep...

Woman Applying Hand Sanitizer

How to Litter Train a Stray Cat: 9 Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks

Although cats are very clean animals and respond well to litter training, you might need to show them the ropes if you bring a stray cat home. While adopting a stray cat can be a rewarding experience, first ensure they...

orange cat beside litter box

5 Vet-Reviewed Tips on How to Use Cat Eye Drops (Without Getting Scratched)

Many cat owners are unsure how to handle the situation when their cat is diagnosed with an eye condition, and they’re prescribed eye drops. After all, it’s not like you can ask your feline pal to lean back their head...

treating-cats-eye

Can Cats Eat Hay? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts

While cats are often notoriously picky about cat food, they do seem to like nibbling on various plants and human foods. If you have hay lying around the house, don’t be surprised if your cat takes a bite or two....

Can Cats Eat Hay

Can Cats Eat Diatomaceous Earth? Vet-Verified Safety Tips & Warnings

Nowadays, we seem to be moving toward natural, organic, and integrative ways to combat disease—not only in humans but also in our kitties. If you have been looking for holistic ways to treat fleas and worms in your cat, you...

Can Cats Eat Diatomaceous Earth

Castor & Pollux Organix Cat Food Review in 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Choosing the right cat food is one of the most important things you can do to keep your pet healthy so it can live a long life. However, there are so many brands available, and it can be...

Castor & Pollux Cat Food Review

Breakaway Collars Guide: Vet Reviewed Uses, Safety & Advice

No cat owner wants to consider the possibility of their kitty getting lost, but it’s always better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. If your cat escapes your house or yard, you want to make it easy for anyone...

Breakaway Red Collar Cat

Where to Find Free Cat Food Samples? 12 Sites to Visit in 2025

If you’ve been thinking about transitioning your cat to a new food, you may be interested in trying a few brands before shelling out for a large bag of kibble your cat may not bother to take more than a...

Cat-eating-wet-food-from-white-bowl-on-wooden-floor