Cats are known for being very independent creatures. They don’t always listen to their owners or even other cats.
If you notice your cat acting strangely, then you might be wondering: Why is my cat running around like a maniac?
In this article, I will cover the main reasons why your cat is running around like a maniac!
Let’s get into it.
Why Is My Cat Running Around Like A Maniac?
The most common reason your cat is likely running around is due to the zoomies.
Zoomies are when your cat runs around, often in circles, to help them burn off excess energy.
So, what causes the zoomies?
A cat primarily experiences the zoomies due to the pent-up energy that they need to relieve.
Kittens and younger cats typically have higher energy levels and therefore experience zoomies on a more regular basis than older cats, though the zoomies can occur in your cat at any age if they have the energy for this behavior.
When Should You Worry About Your Cat’s Behavior?
Zoomies are a normal behavior for cats.
That being said, if your cat is frantically running around the house like a maniac and is doing so more frequently, it may indicate that they require more exercise than they’re currently receiving.
If your cat needs more exercise, try increasing the amount of time that you spend playing with them.
This way, they’ll be able to burn off some of their extra energy.
It’s also important to note that zoomies should not last longer than 20 minutes.
What Are Some Other Reasons For Your Cat To Be Acting Strangely?
If your cat’s behavior still seems erratic, then you should seek professional help from a vet.
Your vet will be able to assess your cat and figure out why they might be behaving in this way.
Some other reasons that your cat could be behaving oddly include anxiety, boredom, stress, illness, or injury.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons for your cat to act strangely.
Cats who feel anxious tend to run around and pace back and forth. They may also start scratching furniture or themselves excessively.
Boredom
Boredom is another reason why your cat may be acting strangely.
Cats who are bored may become destructive by chewing on things around the home.
They may also run around as a way to exert their energy and to entertain themselves if they’ve been inside all day and you’ve not played with them.
Stress
Stress is yet another possible cause of your cat’s strange behavior.
Stress can lead to aggression, which is something that we want to avoid as much as possible.
However, if your cat becomes aggressive toward you or other pets, then it’s best to take them to an animal hospital immediately.
Injuries
Injuries are yet another potential cause of your cat’s bizarre behavior.
Cats who sustain injuries may show symptoms similar to those described above.
They might not want you touching them, and may act aggressively if you hurt them.
If you notice that your cat has sustained a serious injury, then you should consult your vet to see how you can treat it properly.
Illness
Illness is another common reason why your cat may seem like they’re out of sorts.
If your cat is experiencing an illness you’re not aware of, they may exhibit odd behaviors such as pacing, hiding, or urinating outside of their litter box.
To determine whether your cat is acting out of sorts, you will need to make sure that you contact your veterinarian right away.
How Can I Help My Cat Stop Zoomies?
As mentioned before, zoomies are a natural behavior exhibited by animals to burn off pent up energy.
Therefore, there isn’t really anything you can do to completely stop this behavior.
You can, however, increase the amount of time that your cat spends exercising.
This means allowing them outside, or increasing the amount of time that you spend playing with them.
This way, they’ll have less energy to use when they get hit with the zoomies.
You should also play with your cat regularly.
If you don’t, then they will likely have a tonne of energy that they need to burn off and will resort to strange behaviors such as the zoomies more frequently!
Also, remember that some cats just love to run around, it’s a natural, normal behavior!
You should never force your cat to exercise. Instead, allow them to choose what activities they would like to engage in.
Why Is My Cat So Hyper All Of A Sudden?
Zoomies tend to arrive as fast as they disappear!
One minute your cat can be running around the room and be suddenly hyper, the next they’re back to their normal selves.
Zoomies rarely last for more than a few minutes at a time, so don’t be alarmed.
The only time you should be worried about the zoomies is if they seem to last much longer than they used to.
If your cat is spending significantly more time running around than they usually would, then it might be as a result of another issue such as stress.
So what are the signs that your cat is stressed?
There are many signs that your cat may be stressed out. These include:
- Urination/defecation outside of the litter box
- Excessive grooming
- Aggressive behavior such as scratching when you try to stroke your cat or go near them.
It’s also worth noting that you need to make sure that your environment is safe for your cat to have the zoomies.
Remove any breakable objects and make sure that they have a safe path to exert their energy safely!
In Summary
Hopefully, this article helped you understand why your cat is running around like a maniac.
It’s important to note that these are only some of the many different causes of your cat’s strange behaviors.
There are many other factors that can influence your cat’s behavior.
If you think that your cat is exhibiting any unusual behaviors, then you should consult with your veterinarian to rule out anything sinister.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
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