Ever notice that your cat sometimes goes crazy when they just finished taking a poo? Do they ever suddenly dash from their litter box to other rooms at 3 in the morning and freak the whole family out? If so, they might have caught the “cat zoomies” after pooping.

Cats are well-known for a few particular bathroom habits, such as burying their stool after taking a dump or using their urine to mark their territory. These are things all cats do, so at least have a clue that these habits are instinctive. But some cats get hyper after they poop and some don’t, which leaves you wondering what causes the weird action.

If your cat runs around after pooping, there are a few possible reasons to what makes them do so. Let’s check them out with Hyperfavor to really see what’s happening in your cat’s head.

Cat Zoomies After Pooping: What Exactly Is “Zoomies”?

How to know if your cat is doing the zoomies

To understand more about what causes this weird behavior, let’s look at what exactly is a “zoomies”.

What we commonly referred to as “zoomies” are quick, random bursts of energy. A more scientific name for this is Frenetic Random Activity Period, or FRAP for short.  You’ll recognize a zoomie in action when you see one – your cat unexpectedly flashes pass you out of nowhere. 

These zoomies don’t last very long, and you’ll probably find it amusing and funny. You might even want to put that weird moment of your cat on a T-shirt - it’s just so hilarious.

There is no set time in the day when every cat will experience zoomies. Your cat can decide to roam around the house all of the sudden, despite you trying to sleep. As said, these are very random energy blasts, and maybe your cat doesn’t even know why they do it.

Watch: What are “zoomies”?

However, owners also point out that there are certain occasions that zoomies are more likely to happen. Cats can zoom after a long nap, when something excites them, or when they see another cat also do the zoom. Kittens are more likely to experience this explosion of stamina than older cats.

One way to tell that a cat is going to get into a zoomie soon is the abrupt glint in their eyes. Their movement will get rapid very quickly. Your cat will either run laps around the house, dash from your lap to the floor, or jump up like they’ve just seen a ghost. However, they will quickly calm down and return to their elegant self, as if the zoomies never happened.

Should I worry about cats doing zoomies?

As frantic as it looks, zoomies are actually very normal for cats. Not all cats will show it the same way. But in general, it’s just a hyperactive period that can happen to not just cats, but dogs and even humans as well.

Sometimes zoomies are just a way for cats to have fun with each other. Let’s admit it – there’s nothing more amusing than seeing your cats doing silly things out of nowhere. It’s also a way for them to burn off their excess energy.

However, when this behavior becomes more regular and your cat seems to have too much energy, it’s a sign that they need more exercise. Zoomies is sometimes caused by overexcitement and pent up energy, so you need a way to help them release it.

Get them more toys or exercising equipment to get them stimulated properly. Try to adjust your daily schedule and routine with your cat as well. This will save you from many potential heart attacks when your cat suddenly jumps at you.

At the same time, a low energy level will reduce the chance of your cat being destructive and in need of discipline. A cat doing zoomies at 3am while everyone in the house is sleeping certainly isn’t favorable.

An increase in zoomies might also indicate that your cat is having some underlying health problem. If your cat seems distressed and uncomfortable doing the zoomies, check with the vet as soon as possible to determine what’s wrong.

Cat Zoomies After Pooping: Why Do Cats Freak Out After They Poop?

After reading about cat’s zoomies, you might be wondering about the reason cats would be so energetic after taking a dump. “Why do cats go crazy after pooping?”, you might ask. Well, here are a few possible answers to your questions.

Your cat doesn’t like the litter box

Cats love hygiene – and they would certainly avoid anything that they considered “dirty”. There’s a chance that you haven’t cleaned their box for a while, and your cat isn’t fond of the soiled litter. They might still do their business, but will also try to get away from the box as quickly as possible. Thus, you’ll see the zoomies in action.

It can also be because you’ve recently changed their litter and they are unhappy about this alteration. The good kitty will continue using the box, yet zooming after pooping is a way to show their discontentment. Too many cats and too few litter boxes can also cause this problem.

Your cat is proud of their independence

According to Animal Planet, behaviorists brought up another theory to why a cat gets the zoomies after pooping. It might be because they want to show off their achievement.

During kittenhood, the mother cat has to lick her babies lower part to encourage them to poop. The kittens’ muscles are not yet developed, so they will have a hard time initiating bowel movement on their own.

Now that the cat is all grown up and is able to use the litter box on their own, it’s an occasion worth celebrating. They want to flaunt their accomplishment and independence, and seek approval from us.

Your cat is trying to avoid possible predator

In case you haven’t already known, the reason why cats instinctively bury their poop is to cover up their scent. This helps reduce the chances of them being tracked down by a predator.

It’s also suggested that the reason why a cat runs around after pooping is to disperse their smell and confuse any possible predator. They also try to run away in order to get far from the evidence that they were once where they used to be. This theory is still questionable, since not every cat will do the cat zoomies after using the litter box.

In addition, during toilet time, the cat is the most vulnerable and an easy target for attack. Your cat might want to finish the business quickly and bolt away in fear of being attacked unexpectedly.

Your cat is having health problems

If your cat bolts away in discomfort after letting out a stool, there might be a high chance that they have underlying health issues. The cat might be in pain, feel itchy or have a hard time pooping in general.

This is caused by possible inflammation and infections at their rectum. The zoomies are to help them poop easier. There’s also a possibility that your cat is having worms. Check their stool for any unusual sign, such as diarrhea, blood or constipation.

Your cat feels a sudden rush of excitement after pooping

Similar to humans, cats also have vagus nerves that run all the way to their colon.

The good feeling after pooping, also referred to as “poo-phoria”, is when your bowel movement stimulates the vagus nerves. This is the same nervous system that deals with your blood pressure and heart rate.

When a cat takes a poo, their blood pressure decreases and their heart rate drops. Thus, this results in less blood flow to the brain. The effect causes a quick moment of light-headedness and relaxation. Your cat will feel as if they’re high!

The feeling is so pleasurable and satisfactory that the cat might not be able to contain themselves. They proceed to zoom across the room to show their excitement.

Other possibilities

As the matter remains undetermined to even researchers, there are many different theories revolving around the question of why your cat runs around after pooping. Speculations might vary depending on the frequency and timing of your cat’s zoomies as well. So if you’re ever unsure about your cat’s behavior, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian.

How To Deal With Cat Zoomies After Pooping

As mentioned, zoomies are considered normal habits for cats, especially kittens since they are naturally playful and love to run. Therefore, you shouldn’t be too concerned unless they turn excessive or out of control.

See more: How To Deal With A Jealous Cat

Sometimes your cat might poop and cause commotions around the house by zooming at unwanted hours. This indicates that they’re having too much excess energy. You might want to include more playtime with your cat in your daily routine. Or you can provide them with more toys for them to use up those extra stamina.

Try to keep the litter box as clean as possible to eliminate the chance of your cat avoiding it. If you have more than one cat, have multiple potties around the house.

If you suspect that your cat is having digestive related issues, or are unsure what causes the overexcitement, check with your vet to find a solution as soon as possible.