Your cat’s behavior can be puzzling to owners.
After all, a roaming pet can seem harmless. However, your aim as an owner is to keep your cats safely at home and out of harm’s way.
If your cat constantly runs around without a fixed destination, it may mean it’s ready for some playtime. So, why does my cat run around like crazy?
Cats are known for being playful animals. However, some cats seem to spend all their time running around and jumping on things.
Why does my cat run around the house like crazy? Well, it turns out that this behavior could be a sign of anxiety.
Cats that run around like crazy may be experiencing stress or anxiety. They could be stressed because they have a feline anxiety-related disorder.
This condition results in symptoms such as excessive grooming, hiding, and compulsive meowing. A cat may also be stressed if they’re not getting enough attention.
For example, a cat may be stressed if they are frequently left alone at home. A cat may also run around the house like crazy if they’re bored.
Lastly, a cat may run around like crazy if they’re injured or sick. As a result, it’s important to keep an eye on your cat’s behavior.
Why Does My Cat Run Around Like Crazy?
Hyperthyroidism
This medical ailment is characterized by an overactive thyroid gland in cats.
Hyperactivity is one of its symptoms, so your cat may begin running around the house and jumping on things excessively if it’s suffering from hyperthyroidism.
This condition can also cause weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, increased hunger, and anger that can’t be explained.
Pesky Little Fleas
Fleas might be causing your cat to run around like crazy because it’s irritating them.
As everyone who has been bitten knows, every bite from fleas causes an intense itch.
Flea infestations may develop rapidly, even if your cat isn’t an outdoor cat.
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, fleas make cats extremely uncomfortable by biting them relentlessly.
Senility or Cognitive Dysfunction
Cat dementia, often known as senility or cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), is a progressive disease that can affect older cats.
As your cat gets older and develops CDS, it may become confused, lost, or even mean.
Allergies and Itchy Skin Problems
If your cat has skin issues or allergies, she may run around like crazy to get relief.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that scratching at itchy skin can cause your cat to bleed and damage her skin.
Cats may also develop a “hot spot,” which is a swollen area of inflamed skin that’s red and painful.
The vet can recommend the best treatment for itchy skin. The measures you take will depend on how severe your cat’s allergies are and how frequently she scratches herself.
Feline Hyperesthesia
Feline hyperesthesia, commonly known as rolling over syndrome, is a neurological condition in cats that causes them to roll over repeatedly on their back.
Cats with this illness become very sensitive and may run around the house like mad when they’re being petted or are touched anywhere on their body other than their back.
Affected cats may chase their tail incessantly as well, because they feel intense itching when they rub it against something abrasive.
Other signs may include increased appetite, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and increased vocalizations.
Cats may have this craziness or zoomies when they have feline hyperesthesia because touching their backs makes them feel better.
Anxiety and Stress
If your cat develops craziness when she has anxiety problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean she has any underlying medical conditions.
There might have been recent changes in your house that caused her to become stressed, such as a new pet or a child moving out.
Cats despise abrupt changes in their lives and often act out when they experience stress or anxiety.
Purify Themselves After Using the Litter Box
Cat scientists believe that cats may rush about excitedly after using the litter box because their whiskers touch the sides of the box while they’re urinating.
Cats are very territorial animals and like to keep their private spaces clean.
They are known to cease using their litter boxes if they feel vulnerable or if they feel their space is being invaded by another animal.
Releasing Pent-up Energy
Another reason your cat may act crazy is that she simply needs to release pent-up energy.
Indoor cats, for example, usually don’t have enough opportunities to run about and play freely the way outdoor cats do.
They have a limited capacity to roam around and explore their surroundings, so they may become restless and start acting up if they’re cooped up inside all day.
Cats can generally run at speeds of between 30 and 50 miles per hour when they’re chasing after prey in the wild.
However, since an indoor cat spends most of the day at home alone, she may not have the opportunity to burn off all her excess energy in a healthy way.
As a consequence, cats vent their frustration by acting out and getting a little crazy from time to time.
You may help your cat release her excess energy by playing with her on a regular basis and providing her with plenty of toys that she can chew on and play with on her own time.
Is It Normal for a Cat to Run Around Like Crazy?
Zoomies are natural cat activities that are often accompanied by meowing, purring, hissing, snarling, and other vocalizations.
But if your cat keeps running around the house for no apparent reason or starts jumping from one room to another for no reason at all, she may have a medical problem that needs to be taken care of right away.
Increase the amount of physical activity you give your cat by playing with her and her toys on a regular basis and taking her for daily walks around the neighborhood.
Enrichment items, which you can use to help release the cat’s pent-up energy and keep her mentally stimulated and entertained, include cat trees and scratching posts, balls of yarn and feathers, laser pointers, and catnip.
Do Zoomies Mean Cats Are Happy?
While most zoomies are caused by natural enthusiasm and are not reason enough for alarm, it’s important to watch your cat carefully and see if she’s exhibiting other unusual behavior patterns as well.
The most significant medical cause behind excessive running or jumping could be hyperthyroidism, a condition that causes the cat’s thyroid gland to produce too many thyroid hormones, resulting in accelerated heart rates and increased metabolism.
Also Read: Why Is My Cat Peeing On Bed After Moving?
Final Words
Your cat may be experiencing craziness or zoomies for a variety of reasons, including boredom, lack of exercise, or restlessness due to a medical problem.
It could, however, be a sign of a serious health problem that needs medical attention right away.
If this strange behavior becomes common, take your cat to the vet for a checkup to rule out any underlying medical issues that might be causing it.