Mary Allen
It happens especially in the evening: from one second to the next, our cats race wildly through the apartment. We reveal the reason for the crazy five minutes.
Indoor cats in particular tend to have wild minutes, which can sometimes extend to half an hour. While they were just dozing off in a relaxed manner, the next moment they jump up and jet through the apartment with ruffled fur as if stung by a tarantula. They lay their ears back and widen their eyes. Such a wild appearance is not to be expected from many a gentle velvet paw. But there is a good reason for the behavior.
This is behind the so-called “zoomies” of the cat
In the wild, a cat’s everyday life consists mainly of hunting, eating, and sleeping. There is a balanced relationship between rest breaks, in which strength is recharged, and active phases, in which this energy is used up again.
Especially with indoor cats, this ratio is often not in balance. But even those who are outdoors usually getting enough food at home and therefore do not really have to hunt outside. However, the instinct and the desire to hunt are innate in every cat. So when there’s not much to snatch at home apart from a fly or two, the wild five minutes, which appropriately often take place at dusk or dawn, help to let their cravings run wild.
Madness comes as a surprise
These outbursts are often explosive. The reason for this lies in the excess energy of the kitties, which builds up and then suddenly wants to go outside.
The cats become so involved in their wild chase that adrenaline surges through their bloodstream and the cats, regardless of their surroundings, will break a shell that is in the way. As suddenly as the outburst came, it is over and the cat is now more balanced again.
Create a balance
The cat’s five minutes are not a cause for concern. However, it is important to also offer indoor cats enough options to make their everyday life interesting and varied and to avoid boredom. Only those who create regular play offers give their cat the chance to be balanced and happy.
But since this is no comparison to a real hunt, the wild five minutes of the cat will not disappear completely. You should only intervene if people are attacked and the house cats attack the feet of the two-legged friends, for example. Then it’s time to set clear boundaries and use alternative games to draw kitties’ attention to a cat toy. A cat rod can be a very good alternative.
We wish you lots of fun with the wild fur ball!