Have you ever had this kind of experience? You’re literally doing nothing, yet your cat suddenly starts zooming around like crazy.And it’s not the “running happily toward the food bowl” type of sprint…Nor is it the panicked, “I-just-got-spooked” dash…Instead, it’s that bright-eyed, fully energized, hyper-excited zoomies where your cat starts darting around the room for no apparent reason.A cat who usually prefers sitting over standing — and lying down over sitting — suddenly seems to explode with energy, racing wildly all over the house, jumping on and off furniture, and even teasing other family members as they pass by.At that moment, you’re probably just as confused as a bowl of luosifen, completely baffled by your cat’s sudden “crazy mode.”You can’t help but ask sincerely: What on earth is going on with my cat?
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You’re Not Alone — Seriously
On Zhihu, the question “Why do cats suddenly start running like crazy?” has over 400,000 views.On Reddit, there are entire communities with over a million members devoted to discussing animals suddenly displaying wild, chaotic behavior.When it comes to mysterious cat behavior, both Chinese and international cat lovers are equally intrigued — and entertained.In fact, this behavior has an official name.In English-speaking countries, a cat’s sudden burst of wild energy is called “Frenetic Random Activity Periods,” or FRAPs for short. It describes a short period during which an animal engages in intense, random activity.More casual nicknames include:zoomies, scrumbling, and midnight crazies.In German, people call it “Wilden fünf Minuten” — “the wild five minutes.”In Russian, this phenomenon in cats is known as “тыгыдык”, which (according to my not-so-reliable Russian friend) describes the sound of “galloping horses.”So when this mysterious behavior is so common worldwide…Is it a distortion of feline nature?Or the downfall of us humble cat servants?(Just kidding… but the mystery is real.)
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Why Do Cats Suddenly Start Zooming Around?
They Need to Release Built-Up Energy.People first noticed this phenomenon in dogs.According to applied animal behaviorist Jill Goldman, dogs often exhibit such behavior because they need to release pent-up energy.Cats zoom for a similar reason.Sleeping up to 16 hours a day, grazing on small meals more than 10 times daily — all of this leads to a steady buildup of energy.Eventually, they need an outlet.That’s why zoomies often happen after long naps or after eating — for example, when you come home and accidentally wake up your cat who has been asleep for eight straight hours.Cats Are Naturally Built for Anaerobic Exercise.According to Catster, cats — from lions to cheetahs to your house cat — are designed for short, explosive bursts of energy used for hunting.A cheetah, for example, can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.“Sudden, intense activity for a short period” is completely aligned with a cat’s natural athletic pattern.So once your cat has accumulated enough energy from eating, drinking, and sleeping all day, it’s perfectly natural for them to choose short, powerful, anaerobic bursts of movement.Daily Zoomies Are Completely Normal.A few minutes of wild zooming every day is absolutely normal for cats.During this time, as a responsible cat parent, you should:stay still and avoid walking around.put away sharp or fragile household itemsgive your cat a safe space to release that energy.After all, a five-minute chaos burst is simply part of a cat’s daily workout routine.
When You Should Pay Attention.Some animal behaviorists also point out that frequent zoomies — meaning more than twice a day — may indicate that your cat is experiencing high stress levels.If your cat shows zoomies along with:excessive grooming,constant lethargy,loss of appetite,then it’s something you should pay attention to. These combined signs may indicate emotional stress or potential health issues.If Your Cat Gets the Zoomies After Pooping.If your cat always starts sprinting right after using the litter box, you should also take note.Check whether your cat has:abnormal stool,signs of pain while pooping,difficulty or discomfort during bowel movements.Sometimes post-poop zoomies are normal, but if they’re paired with discomfort, it could signal digestive issues or anal gland problems.In Multi-Cat Homes.In households with multiple cats, one cat’s sudden burst of energy can trigger the others to join in.As long as it doesn’t escalate into serious fighting or aggression, it’s nothing to worry about.In fact, you can simply lift your phone, smile, and enjoy the chaotic multi-cat marathon.
