Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it normal to have a cat sprint around the house acting like a dog is chasing it? My cat is 2 years old and every morning she'd do about 5 laps around the house sprinting up and down the stairs. If you make a single movement she'll jump as if startled, look at you and then go running. I don't think it's the catnip either because I haven't gotten her another catnip toy in a while. I had thrown out her old ones that were out of catnip. I just need to know if she's just playful or...going mad.

Playful!! It's also good excercise for her.
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Most cats have the evening crazies, but some will have an active period at other times. Perhaps it's just the excitment of seeing you up and about for the day. If your cat seems OK after a bout then it is probably only a play behavior. You might go ahead and add to the excitment by using a kitty tease or something else to get some interactive play. As Jaimie mentioned this activity is great for weight control and will ultimately increase the odds that your cat will not have as many health problems on down the line.
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

MORNING ZOOOOMIES..........mine do it too!!
Then after a few laps just plop down flat on their sides

Gotta Luv it
-----
Cheri,Shelby,Lily & Lucy

I love the morning crazies! Although my cats don't have them, that cat I had growing up did, and they're a blast to watch.

Buddy used to run back and forth from the front of the house to the back, over and over again, yowling and carrying on, with a wild look in his eye.

I miss him. Gotta love the morning crazies!

Cats are most active at night and early morning. I have 4 and it is fun to watch. Usualy one will chase a second. Then they 'stalk' one another, when they hunker down and wiggle their butt before they pounce!

i will agree, in itself this is very adorable behavior and i love to watch it. unfortunately, my cats do it at 2:30 am and then again from 3 or 4 am until about 8 or 9 am. seriously, four or five hours. i have a studio apartment with a wood floor, so the sound is deafening and wakes up my neighbors - i will be evicted if this behavior doesn't stop. if it were just me, i'd consider popping a sleeping pill (since the crazies started a few weeks ago, i get about two to three hours of sleep per night) and some earplugs, but i have to stay awake to keep them playing on the bed where they don't make any noise. i've considering keeping them in the kitchen during this period (which is the only other room i have), but the crying at the door is almost worse than the pounding across the floor. is there any way for me to schedule their play sessions at around one am and then again at 7? i understand cats are nocturnal, i just wish i could make them understand that we'll soon be homeless if they don't calm down.

exhausted and frustrated