Why Is My Cat Running Around Like A Maniac
Your cat is acting strange. It’s pacing back and forth like a maniac, rolling around on the floor, staring at nothing and chewing on things that don’t belong to it. What’s going on? Is it just your average “crazy cat” phase, or something more serious? Here are some reasons why your feline friend may be having a manic episode:
Cats are naturally most active around dawn and at dusk.
Most cat owners are familiar with their cats’ tendency to be most active around dawn and dusk. This is not surprising, as it is a common trait among nocturnal animals. Cats have been a part of human society for thousands of years—in fact, they’ve been domesticated for approximately 10,000 years—and it’s interesting to learn that our feline friends have adapted so well to life in our homes that they’ve evolved into crepuscular (active at twilight) or even cathemeral (active during the day). The word “nocturnal” means “active at night.” A cat who is nocturnal will sleep all day, then be awake all night. In contrast, an animal that is diurnal (active during daylight hours) will sleep at night and be awake during the day; this would include humans and most other mammals besides felines.
You have an indoor cat.
If your cat is running around like a maniac, it could be because you have an indoor cat. Indoor cats can get bored and they need stimulation, just like we do.
The good news is that there are lots of ways to stimulate an indoor cat so they don’t get bored or anxious. Here are some ideas:
- Play with toys together
- Get them involved in training games (you can train them to do tricks!)
- Offer treats when they do something good, such as using the scratching post instead of your furniture!
Your cat eats cheap cat food.
- Your cat eats cheap cat food. Cats are carnivores, and their diet should consist primarily of protein-containing foods such as meat and fish. They should not be fed a high carbohydrate or fat diet, or their health may suffer. If you get your cat’s food from a pet store instead of a vet, chances are it’s cheap and doesn’t contain the right amount of protein for your kitty to remain healthy.
- You’ve recently introduced a new cat into your household. Moving can be stressful on animals—human ones included—so if you’ve brought home another feline recently (or if it moved in), that could be why your cat is acting so weirdly all of a sudden.
Your cat is bored.
If your cat is running around like a maniac, it’s likely because they are bored. Cats need to be stimulated mentally and physically in order to stay happy and healthy. They need to be trained to do tricks, play with interactive toys, play with other cats and/or humans—and more! If you’re not spending time with your cat as much as possible doing these things (or any other form of enrichment), then he may resort to running around like a maniac when he becomes bored.
Don’t panic if your cat starts having a manic phase, but if it continues for too long seek a vet’s advice.
If your cat is acting like a maniac, don’t panic. Your cat may just be in an energetic mood and doesn’t need to be taken to the vet. The best thing you can do is leave the cat alone. Don’t try to play with it or feed it treats—that will only make things worse!
If, however, your cat’s manic behavior continues for several days or weeks at a time (or even months) then seek out professional advice from a veterinarian who specializes in feline health issues.
If your cat has been running around like a maniac, don’t panic. It’s normal for cats to be active at dawn and dusk, and if you have an indoor cat then their energy needs to be burned off somehow. If it’s got worse over time or if your cat is showing other signs of illness such as weight loss or loss of appetite then see a vet for advice on how best to treat this problem.
