Help! My Cat Has Excessive Zoomies! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“ I know that all cats get the zoomies, but my cat Hera’s zoomies are starting to feel excessive. She is 14 and still has them 4-5 times/day, without catnip! Is there such a thing as too many zoomies? ” – Percy
Quick Info about Hera
Frenetic random activity periods (FRAP), most commonly known as “the zoomies”, is a natural behavior exhibited by most cats. However, if the behavior is happening too often we do not consider it to be normal. This behavior can signal Hera is feeling stressed or frustrated and chances are she needs more mental and physical stimulation. Indoor cats need to be provided with several opportunities to outlet their energy. This means adding some climbing options and vertical spaces, providing them with puzzle feeders, a variety of toys in a rotation, and even a running wheel. Playing with your cat at least 2 or 3 times a day to ensure they move around and release their energy is important. If you already do this using a laser pointer, this might actually be the reason behind Hera’s frequent FRAPing or zoomies.
While laser pointers are great tools to get cats going, they can also cause an incredible amount of frustration in cats as this light appeals to their predatory instincts, however, they never allow them to make a successful catch. In other words, they never win. There are certain laser pointer rules to follow that can help. Toss her a toy so that she can successfully paw and bite something tangible at the same time you turn the pointer off. Follow this with a yummy treat or even dinner, this allows her to complete her “hunting cycle” instead of leaving her hanging up.
Providing Hera with a calming environment using synthetic pheromones and several safe hiding opportunities can also help reduce her stress. These are just some options to consider, the general idea is to let her have healthy energy outlets and also provide her with a stress-free environment.
Best wishes!
Dr. Paola