Content
- why my cat runs like crazy
- Hygiene
- digestive problems
- hunting instinct
- Fleas
- excess energy
- Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS)
- cognitive dysfunction
- Cat running from side to side: solutions
If you have one or more cats at home, you've probably witnessed a moment of feline madness in which your cat runs out of nowhere. Although in many cases this is normal behavior and does not pose any problem, in others it may be an indication that something is not right and that your cat needs your attention.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we explain to you what can give rise to this agitated behavior for no apparent reason and what to do to minimize it - Cat running like crazy: causes and solutions.
why my cat runs like crazy
It's common to see a cat running around the house like crazy, especially at night, the perfect time to wake up the guardian who wants to rest after a tiring day. There are several reasons that may explain your feline's "manic" behavior:
Hygiene
One of the theories that explains why your cat runs like crazy is that it does so for reasons of hygiene, a very important factor for a feline. If you've noticed that your feline runs like crazy after using the litter box, the obvious reason would be that, after defecating, it wants to get away from the feces urgently, as they love cleaning.
However, other statements1 indicate that this is because the odor of feces attracts predators, so cats activate their safety instincts and flee the litter box after burying the poop, so as not to be detected by threatening animals.
digestive problems
Digestive problems are another possible reason why cats run out of nowhere. A cat experiencing discomfort may run around the house to try to alleviate the symptom. However, not all experts agree with this justification, as this is a behavior exhibited by many felines that do not show clinical signs of digestive problems.
hunting instinct
As natural predators, domestic cats also exhibit behaviors related to this instinct. Restless behavior without prior prompting can be a demonstration of fighting or hunting techniques.
When a cat does not need to apply these techniques to obtain food, it may be running around the house simply by maintaining that hunting instinct that it would exhibit in the wild.
Fleas
Fleas can explain a feline's sudden agitation, as it may be suffering from a flea bite allergy or simply being itchy somewhere and running for relief.
If you suspect that your feline may have fleas, you should consult your veterinarian to recommend a suitable drug to deworm it and do an intensive cleaning of the environment. In the article "My cat has fleas - home remedies", you will find some tips on what to do in this case.
excess energy
The most common explanation for seeing your cat running like crazy is accumulated energy. Cats spend a lot of time sleeping or just resting, but they have energy levels to expend just like any other animal.
According to feline behavior researcher and consultant Mikel Delgado2, cats tend to be more active when their guardians are more active. This indicates that when the guardian spends the day outside, the cat is less active, which suddenly changes when the guardian comes home and he has all that energy to expend.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS)
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is a rare and mysterious condition of unknown origin that causes obsessive behavior in cats. It can cause symptoms such as tail chasing, excessive biting or licking, unusual vocalization, mydriasis (dilation of the pupil due to the contraction of the pupillary dilator muscle) or, finally, abnormal and out-of-control running or jumping. If you suspect your kitten is exhibiting obsessive behaviors, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
cognitive dysfunction
If your kitten is elderly and runs like a madman, it is possible that he is suffering from some form of cognitive dysfunction or dementia. As felines age, abnormal behaviors can occur due to the different functioning of their brains.
Cat running from side to side: solutions
To improve the relationship with your feline and ensure that it has a healthy and happy life, you must learn to interpret the body language of cats. The feline behavior can be a way to communicate with the tutor or tutor, so it is important to be able to decipher what he is saying.
Every cat is different, so pay attention to the circumstances and contexts in which your pet demonstrates this agitated behavior and runs around. Be especially aware of the types of sounds it makes, the movements of the tail, the time of day and the behavior itself, as they can help you find attitude patterns and, consequently, understand the motivation of your cat's actions.
Thus, you can detect unusual behavior of your kitten and know what causes this crazy behavior in your pet. When the behavior is out of the ordinary, it is essential that you contact your trusted veterinarian so that the relevant tests can be carried out to diagnose any health problems such as those mentioned above. If you suspect that the reasons you see your cat running wild around the house may be associated with health problems, consult a professional immediately.
If you want to read more articles similar to Cat running like crazy: causes and solutions, we recommend that you enter our Behavior Problems section.