Bizarre cat behaviors like running around the house and meowing loudly can be surprising and difficult to decipher. However, there are several explanations for this “crazy” behavior in cats. Let’s explore a few of them.
1. Instinctual Hunting Behavior
Regardless of their breed, all cats have moments when they dash through rooms, meowing like crazy and acting as if they are being chased on a racetrack. They sprint faster, zigzag around, look everywhere, and abruptly stop.
This wild behavior is sometimes referred to as “midnight crazies.” Cats may engage in wild activities or jump on your bed to nibble your feet, arms, hair, or face, hoping to involve you in their fun. The reasons behind this running frenzy can vary.
a. Hunting Instinct
Cats are natural hunters, and even domestic cats retain some instinctual behaviors. Sometimes, a cat running wildly is simply displaying hunting behaviors, practicing combat moves or escape techniques.
Even without the need to hunt for food, indoor cats still need to burn off pent-up energy, and this can manifest in seemingly crazy behavior. Toys such as catnip mice, laser pointers, or feather toys will encourage your cat to use its natural instincts to pounce, chase, and jump. This exercise is particularly important for indoor cats.
b. Energy Release
Another reason for a cat’s wild behavior may be a night-time lifestyle and increased activity during this time. If a cat doesn’t get enough exercise during the day, it can exhibit particularly crazy behavior.
Many indoor cats spend the whole day alone in the house, sleeping while you are at work. When you come home in the evening, your cat may be very energetic and want to play. If it doesn’t have an outlet for all this energy, it may exhibit some crazy behaviors, such as running around the house, especially for kittens who are naturally more active.
c. Aging
If you have an older cat, it may run and act frantically due to cognitive dysfunction or senility. As cats age, their brain activity can change, leading to odd behaviors without clear reasons. Before scolding them, it’s essential to learn about common issues in older cats, especially cognitive dysfunction, to better understand their actions.
What to Do When Your Cat Runs Wild?
Sometimes, it’s challenging to determine exactly what is causing your cat to suddenly go crazy. The key is to learn how to read your cat’s body language.
When it comes to cats, meowing and tail movements can have many different meanings depending on the situation. With each meow, purr, or even blink of its eyes, your cat is trying to communicate with you. The challenge is to figure out what it’s trying to say. We encourage you to learn more about cat vocalizations to better understand what they are trying to express.
By observing your cat closely, you can begin to associate the reasons for their craziness in different situations. This will help you understand what is normal for your cat and when any unusual behaviors might be signs of an underlying health issue.
In summary, sometimes you will see your cat running wildly around the house and meowing unusually. However, everything has a reason. The reasons for your cat’s sudden craziness may include:
- Instinctual hunting behaviors
- Energy release
- Fleas or skin allergies
- Aging
- Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS)
Apart from flea symptoms, it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact cause of your cat’s wild running behavior. The crucial thing is to read your cat’s body language, behavior, and vocalizations to use the process of elimination.
Video of a Cat Running Wild Inside the House
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Learning how to decipher your cat’s behaviors will strengthen your bond with them and allow you to meet their needs more effectively. With time and careful observation, you may start to connect the dots between what triggers your cat’s frenzy and different situations. This will help you understand what is normal for your cat and when any unusual behaviors might be signs of an underlying health issue.