From love bites to batting things off your bookshelf, cats come complete with some pretty baffling behaviors that tend to keep feline parents on their toes. One of the strangest? Witnessing your furbaby go from sleepy to sprinting across the house in .2 seconds, often bouncing off a few walls and pieces of furniture along the way.

“Cat zoomies, also known as frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), are sudden and spontaneous energetic outbursts of activity, typically brief in nature, that can occur at any time of the day or night,” says Dr. Tracey Deiss, a veterinarian with global animal health company Zoetis who has 25 years of clinical experience. “For cat caregivers, watching their furry companions transform into a whirlwind of energy can be a puzzling experience.”

Here, experts explain why cats get the zoomies and how ensuring cats get exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day can play an important role in zoomie management.

Why do cats get the zoomies?

Just like zoomies in dogs, cat zoomies are considered normal behavior and usually mean your cat is healthy and active, explains Dr. Kate Domenico, an emergency veterinarian with Island Veterinary Service in South Portland, Maine. But there are a few scenarios that can also indicate your cat’s zoomies are being caused by discontent.

Here, experts explain the most common reasons cats get the zoomies and what you should do when these sudden bursts of activity strike.

1. Pent-up energy

“Most cats nap between 12-16 hours a day and long for play activity and stimulation during the waking hours,” Deiss says. Zoomies often occur more frequently in adolescent cats because they have more natural energy they need to expend, she explains.

This is something cat owner Hannah Remick has witnessed firsthand with her 4-year-old Russian Blue mix named Kitty Kat. “His zooms happen spontaneously — no rhyme or reason,” Remick says. “But I would say in the morning when I am getting ready for the day or in the evening when I am winding down are most common times [they happen].”

This zoomie timing is indicative of a cat’s natural need to release pent-up energy and is very common, Deiss explains. “Cats are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk,” she says. “If a cat has been inactive throughout the day, their natural biorhythms or hunting instinct may be behind twilight zoomies.”

“If a cat has been inactive throughout the day, their natural biorhythms or hunting instinct may be behind twilight zoomies.”
—Dr. Tracey Deiss, veterinarian

2. Playfulness

“Cats are natural hunters, and play is an essential part of their daily routine,” Deiss says. “Zoomies serve as a form of self-initiated play, helping cats work on their hunting skills.”

“If you don’t provide your kitty with a daily agenda of entertainment, they will likely create their own,” adds certified cat behavior counselor Rochelle Guardado and animal training manager at Pasadena Humane. Carrying toys in their mouth while running, zooming during a reciprocal game of chase with other pets, and shimmying up and down the cat tower are all normal cat play behaviors, she explains.

To manage this type of zoomies, Guardado recommends providing access to items your cat can sniff, chew, climb, and scratch during the day when you’re not home to provide playful outlets. When you are home? “Playing with your cat is an essential part of pet guardianship,” she says. Daily play should include interactive sessions, think toys like feather wands, laser pointers and interactive puzzles, which can be stimulating and effective, Deiss suggests.

Whatever you do, cat owners should always avoid punishing or scolding a cat for zoomie behavior, Deiss says. “Instead, positively redirect their energy to appropriate play.”

“The sight or sound of moving objects, even shadows, can send cats into zoomie mode,” Deiss says. She calls this “prey drive” or a cat’s natural instinct to respond to stimuli as both a predator as well as prey. Cat zoomies can also be spurred on by social interactions, like play-fighting and chasing, with other pets or playmates, explains Deiss.

While it’s normal for cats to react to this type of stimuli with a case of the zoomies, Guardado recommends waiting before you insert yourself into this type of excitement. “Interrupting a zooming cat [in this situation] may result in accidental biting or scratching or may even startle your cat,” she says.

Deiss also stresses the importance of creating safe spaces for cats who may get overstimulated in these types of situations to help manage their zoomies. “Cats should have areas where they can safely retreat and relax when feeling overwhelmed, from cozy hiding spaces to elevated vertical perches,” she says.

“The sight or sound of moving objects, even shadows, can send cats into zoomie mode.”
—Dr. Tracey Deiss

4. Stress release

“More common in multi-cat households, cats can exhibit zoomie activity as a means of stress relief,” Deiss says.

If your cat is getting daily enrichment and exercise, and they still continue to regularly zoom, Guardado recommends investigating the environment for potential feline stressors, or events and changes in your cat’s life that may be making them uncomfortable, nervous or fearful. Here are a few common cat stressors, according to experts at the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine:

Bringing cats indoors when they were once allowed outdoors
Guests or new family members in your home
Disruptive events like storms or construction
Changes in their environment like a new house or remodel
Introducing a new cat or pet

5. Zoomies after pooping

Perhaps the oddest, yet one of the most common, times that cats get the zoomies is after pooping. But despite what it may look like, this is likely not a celebration of a successful trip to the bathroom. It’s actually due to having trouble eliminating waste.

“Kitties who are frantic to leave their litter box or zoom away from their box may also be experiencing pain while eliminating or may not enjoy using their box,” Guardado says. “A cat should be able to comfortably stretch and use their paws to cover after use. If your cat frequently zooms away from their toilet area, it may be time for a bigger, uncovered litter box.”

Why do cats get the zoomies at night?

As any cat owner can attest, zoomies at night are far less fun than witnessing your pet sprint around the house during the day. “Sometimes at night it is very disruptive,” Remick says of Kitty Kat’s zoomies. “In recent days, he has been jumping from my dresser onto me while I am sleeping, and then starting his zooms from there.”

If you’ve got a night zoomer on your hands, there is hope, however. “Contrary to popular belief, cats are not nocturnal animals,” Guardado says. “You can help them adjust to a schedule that works for you – just remember that it takes time and patience.”

Tips for managing cat zoomies at night

Schedule feedings during the day

“Feeding several small meals throughout the day rather than leaving out a bowl full of kibble might help some cats acclimate to your routine quicker,” Guardado says. Using puzzle feeders to mimic “hunting” for their food can also be an effective way to promote scheduled enrichment, Deiss adds.

Stay consistent to control zoom time

“Cats are creatures of habit and thrive on consistency,” Deiss says. “It is important for cat caregivers to stick to a consistent schedule for feeding, playtime and bedtime.”

Separate sleeping spaces

“Typically, I recommend that clients keep cats out of their bedroom if the cats are trying to play in the middle of the night and if they are disrupting sleep,” Domenico says. This goes for cats who tend to zoom at night, as well.

What to do when a cat gets the zoomies

“It’s completely acceptable to let a zoomie play out — if there are no environmental aspects that could be harmful to a cat in mid-zoom,” Deiss says. This was a lesson she learned the hard way, when her cat, Jobe, once managed to get both his front limbs through the handles of a grocery bag mid-zoomie, transforming a playful zoomie into a scary situation for everyone.

“From this experience, I recommend my clients survey their cat’s zoomie kingdom for any signs of treachery, like breakables, cords or bags.” Deiss says.

Once the space is safe, you can join in the zoomie fun by interacting in the play with your cat’s favorite toy or laser pointer, she says.

When to talk to your vet about cat zoomies

Experts agree that cat zoomies are typically not a cause for concern unless there is a change in your cat’s behavior that deviates from their normal energy outbursts which can be an indication of a health concern. Here’s what to look out for:

Increased zoomies

Bursts of energy, hyperactivity or restlessness in cats who don’t historically get the zoomies could be a clinical sign of conditions such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypertension (high blood pressure), according to Deiss.

Decreased zoomies

“On the flip side, a cat who slows down in zoomie activity or other daily activities like playing, jumping or stair climbing could be experiencing osteoarthritis pain,” she says.

The bottom line: “It’s important to consult your cat’s veterinary health care team regarding any change in activity when it comes to zoomies,” Deiss says. “Depending on comprehensive exam findings, they may recommend additional diagnostics like bloodwork, x-rays or treatment.”