Does your cat sometimes start running and jumping around the house without any kind of control? Don't worry, it's not that your furry has completely lost his mind, this behavior has an explanation! Sudden "insane attacks" are known as "zoomies" or FRAP (frenetic random activity period), which in Spanish would be translated as "period of random frenzied activity" and cats aren't the only animals that experience these episodes, dogs and other mammals do as well.
If your cat is running around the house like crazy, you want to know more about the possible causes of this behavior and how you can act when your cat starts running suddenly, you can't miss this article on our site.
Why does my cat go crazy?
We have already mentioned that the main cause that explains why a cat has attacks of madness is the so-called "FRAP", however, there are other reasons that can also trigger these episodes of madness. Let's see them:
Power Release
The Frenzied Random Activity Periods (hereinafter "FRAP") have been extensively documented and studied in dogs, but what not everyone knows is that they also appear with some frequency among cats, especially in adolescent and young animals.
This behavior is considered totally normal in felines, so you shouldn't worry if your furry starts running like crazy from time to time, what he is doing is releasing excess energy that he has accumulated through explosive physical activity and simulated hunting patterns (stalks, chases, grabs or bites ankles of guardians, hides, jump etc). Therefore, it is normal if your cat goes crazy and bites you for no apparent reason. In these non-pathological cases, the episode of activity is intense, but only lasts a few seconds, being the animal itself the one that ends up calming itself down. Once it stops, it usually retires to rest somewhere quiet.
Survival instinct
You may also have observed your cat run away after using his litter box This curious behavior does not occur in all cats, but it is common among many cats and it is considered that it responds to the instinct to move away as quickly as possible from the place where they urinate or defecate so that the smell does not attract predators.
Stress and anxiety
Now if your cat's "crazy fits" appear too often (even several times a day), last a long time or are accompanied by other symptoms or unusual behavior, it is possible that the animal does have a physical or emotional he alth problem. In these cases, the most frequent causes of excess activity are stress and anxiety, which on many occasions cause stereotypes in the animal (that is, a series of repetitive movements, invariable and without apparent function) or, in a smaller number of cases, cases, the feline hyperesthesia, a pathology characterized by the appearance of spasms, restlessness, hyperactivity and even self-harm.
If you notice any unusual behavior or suspect that your furry has symptoms of illness, see your vet quickly so he can be evaluated.
Why does my cat go crazy at night?
Cats are crepuscular animals, which means that their peaks of activity generally occur first thing in the morning and at late afternoon. However, these felines can adapt and vary their routines according to the lifestyle of their guardians and the conditions of the environment in which they live (temperature, daylight hours, possibility of access to the outside, etc.), so it is not strange that many cats increase their activity during the night, producing the frenzied episodes while their guardians sleep.
This is especially common in summer When temperatures get very high during the day, cats often rest in cool places and wait for night to play, hunt or go for a walk in the neighborhood. If your furry friend lives exclusively inside the house, does not have toys or environmental stimulation elements, does not live with other cats with whom he can interact or, simply, is a young animal and has spent the day sleeping, it is very likely that at night it releases all the accumulated energy and starts running like crazy or tries to play with you, nibbling you while you sleep.
Now, if your cat suddenly goes crazy at night, that is, without ever doing it before, observe it in case it is a he alth problem and go to the veterinary center if necessary.
What to do if my cat runs around the house like crazy?
As we have explained, FRAPs are, as a general rule, completely normal behaviors and not pathological, so you should not worry if you see your cat running like crazy from time to time. However, if you have doubts about the best way to act in these situations or want to know how you can reduce the frequency of your cat's "crazy attacks" (or prevent them from occurring at night), here we leave you some tips to keep in mind:
- Put away dangerous objects: Although the appearance of a FRAP is usually completely unexpected, it is more likely that the cat, once start running, repeat the same trajectory. Observe it and make sure to move away any object that could damage the animal or with which it could get hooked, since the feline running at high speed can misjudge distances and hit something.
- Don't try to stop the cat: If the environment the animal is running through is safe, never try to stop the cat in full race. These episodes last only a few seconds and it is much better to let the animal itself stop and calm down.
- Provide environmental and social stimulation: Cats are very curious and intelligent animals. They need not only high places that they can climb to keep an eye on their surroundings, but also objects and individuals with which to interact. Playing daily with your cat, offering interactive toys to entertain yourself and creating appropriate spaces for felines (jumping platforms, dens to hide in, views to the outside, etc.) will reduce their need to release energy through FRAPs. Do not miss this other article on environmental enrichment in cats.
- Create routines: If your cat is very active at night, you can try to modify his routines by keeping him more entertained during the day. Set a daytime schedule to play with your furry or do activities that he likes, you can even try training skills with him! Of course, remember that cats are, by nature, crepuscular animals, so you cannot pretend that their rhythm of life exactly matches yours.
- Consult a feline ethologist: if, despite applying all these tips, your cat continues to have intense attacks of madness frequently, it is time consult your case with a feline behavior professional. A good ethologist will analyze the behavior of your furry friend and offer you advice, always seeking the well-being of the cat and harmony in coexistence.
