Why Do Cats Get Zoomies After Eating – 7 Common Reasons

The scene of seeing your cat acting crazy after being fed might not be new to you. You understand quite well how important food is to your feline. But you don’t seem to understand the reason behind the craziness after eating. This question has been on your mind for so long —why do cats get zoomies after eating?

Cats get the zoomies after eating to get rid of excess stored energy. Cats also act crazy after eating if they are not getting enough daily exercise. Acute pain is another reason cats get zoomies after eating.

In this article, we’ll discuss various reasons cats get zoomies after eating. We will also offer practical tips on how to stop cats from acting crazy after eating.

Reasons Cats Get Zoomies After Eating

Almost every cat out there has a moment where they act crazy immediately after eating. The following are the reasons cats get zoomies after eating:

Release of pent-up energy

Cats are the kind of pets that are not active for most parts of the day. They are more active in the dead of the night when their owners are fast asleep.

Therefore, cats preserve their energy levels while sleeping. Immediately you feed your cat; there is always an urge for dissipation of pent-up energy.

This craziness is often more seen in kittens than in adult cats. In addition, this behavior is more common in cats that live in small room apartments or tight spaces.

If you are also fond of leaving your feline all alone, it is more likely for her to engage in this sort of behavior.

Your cat is happy

When your cat acts crazy after eating, you may not have to be overly worried. Food is known to give every animal a measure of joy. Cats are also not exempted.

Cats are sort of pets that are highly motivated by food. One of the best ways to make your feline happy is to give her a treat. She starts jumping all around!

Some cat owners have discovered that the best way to motivate their cats to exercise is to feed them their favorite food. You may also try this out.

Anxiety

Anxiety is another common reason cats get zoomies after eating. Just as a human can suffer from anxiety issues for whatever reason, cats also suffer from it.

One of the reasons cats have anxiety issues is when they move to an entirely new environment.

Immediately after eating is often the best time they choose to display a little act of craziness. If your cat is displaying this regularly, it may be time to speak to your vet.

To cope with the anxiety-induced zoomies of your cat, you may need to create extra playtime with your feline.

Your cat is not neutered

One of the reasons a significant number of cat owners decide to neuter their cats is to prevent some undesirable behaviors.

Cats that are not yet neutered are known to be restless. Some even wander away from home.

 If your feline is yet to be neutered, you can expect some crazy behaviors from her.

One of such behaviors can include getting zoomies immediately after eating.

Senility

As a cat grows older, some cognitive impairments start to set in. Senility may be the reason your cat keeps jumping up and down.

Normally, zoomies displayed by cats are known to reduce in cats’ later years. So if your cat still keeps acting crazily in her old age, it might be an indication of a medical condition.

Predator instincts

Cats are natural hunters. The act of staying quietly in a place for a long time is foreign to them.

When you think your feline is acting crazy after eating, this may not be the case. Your beloved cat may just be displaying her natural hunting skills.

What can be helpful is to find a means for your cat to use its instincts to hunt for different play items.

Medical issues

Suppose your feline starts running around the whole house immediately after eating. It may at times be an indication of a medical problem.

The craziness may be medical-related if the running around begins out of the blues with no glaring triggers.

Cats suffer from a variety of medical conditions. Some of the common medical conditions cats suffer from including the following:

● Hyperthyroidism

● Flea infestation

● Skin problems

● Eyesight problems

Ensure to speak with your vet if your feline develops any behavior you are not familiar with. For instance, if your cat doesn’t run around after eating and then suddenly develops the habit. Contact your vet!

How To Stop Cat Zoomies

Cats’ zoomies can be frustrating to cat owners. Apart from the cat owners, a cat may injure himself in the course of running around.

If you have a hyper cat, stopping the zoomies should be a priority. The following includes some practical tips on how to stop cat zoomies.

Play throughout the day

Since excess energy is the leading cause why cats run around after eating, endeavor to play with your feline regularly to prevent this from happening.

When cats get to exercise regularly, they burn off any stored energy they might have.

Instead of having a long stretch of exercise with your cat at once, spread it into short sessions for the benefit of you and your feline.

Allow them to catch

There’s a wide variety of toys cats can play with to reduce the zoomies they get after eating.

These toys stimulate the release of endorphins in their brain.

An example is a cat trying to catch a laser pointer and a video of fish and mice on a screen. Since they can never catch what they are chasing, it leaves them tired.

Give a small quantity of food

One of the effective ways to stop your cat from running around the whole house is by giving him a small quantity of food.

If a cat doesn’t exercise well and consumes a large amount of food, he is bound to act crazy around the house.

Create a calm environment

If you have an indoor cat, creating a safe and comfortable environment for your feline is crucial.

Set up different places in the house where they can explore and feel safe. Examples are; cardboard boxes and a few empty shelves.

Provide some training

A trained cat is a well-behaved cat. You can train your cat not to run around the house. Training your cat keeps him mentally stimulated.

But you should never punish your cat for misbehaving. Positive reinforcement yields the best result.

Things To Consider

Below are some other considerations when it comes to cats

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS)

Cats sometimes come down with this condition. Cats with this rare condition act crazy. It is rare in kittens but much more common in senior cats.

The reason this condition occurs is still not apparent. But there are signs to look out for that may indicate FHS:

● When you observe the skin on the back of your cat is quivering when running.

● When your cat continues to bite at the back of its tail.

● Pet the base of your cat’s tail and watch out for its reaction. If she runs around the house in a frenzy after petting that spot, it’s usually a positive sign for FHS.

Fleas

Fleas are one of the significant reasons cats get zoomies. A cat might be acting because a flea is making him uncomfortable.

He would be moving from one place to another as if something were biting him intensely.

If you think your cat has fleas. Consult your vet to get the appropriate prescription to help your feline deal with fleas.

To control flea infestation, clear any surrounding bush. Get rid of anything that might attract them within the home. 

Does Hyperactivity Mean My Cat Needs To See A Vet

In kittens, it is not unusual to see cats running around like crazy after having a meal. For kittens, you may not have to speak to a vet.

But if your mature cat starts running all over the place without any apparent cause, it is encouraged to visit the vet and tell him about the condition of your feline.