5 Ways To Calm Down A Crazy Cat - PetMD

By Christina Chan

If you’re a cat owner, you likely know that the picture-perfect idea of a cat purring and laying calmly at arm’s length while you pet her is inaccurate—at least some of the time. Cats are known for getting the kitten crazies, or bursts of energy that range from running and jumping around the house at high speeds to animated play-fighting with other household pets.

This type of behavior can be alarming or frustrating for cat owners, but, according to Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist in Westborough, Massachusetts, “it is their natural behavior.”

Dodman describes these sudden bursts of energy as the zoomies. The behavior is hardwired into cats for a few reasons. Cats will tend to sleep when it’s pitch-dark. But at dusk, they’re most active. Instinctive behavior they might exhibit outside, such as prey chasing, translates into activity that is within a confined household.

“When we put cats into conventional homes, we’re really limiting their ability to explore their habitat,” Dodman says. “The cat’s ancestors lived in much larger territories.”

If your kitty suddenly exhibits a high level of activity, here are a few methods you can use to help calm her down. 

1. Structure in Playtime

Just like dogs, cats need an energy outlet. And if they don’t have viable ways of letting that energy out during the day, you may find them careering around the house, jumping on top of furniture, and getting into areas they shouldn’t. But Dodman stresses the importance of recognizing cats need to release their energy somewhere.

By structuring in playtime with your cat, you can reduce unwanted or over-the-top behavior. Using cat-friendly toys, such as interactive LED lasers or a tennis ball modified to contain treats, can work. “You’re having fun, interacting with your cat, and directing their energy,” says Dodman of structured playtime. If you use a laser pointer for play, make sure to include opportunities for the cat to catch the “prey,” such as landing the laser on a treat, and letting the cat pounce on it. Without the ability to catch the prey, laser pointer play can lead to obsessive behavioral disorders, such as shadow chasing.

Certified animal behaviorist Jennie Lane of Alexandria, Virginia, recommends food-dispensing toys for some cats because it approximates their instinct to hunt for food. Scheduled playtimes might be only five to 10 minutes long for some cats. “Some of them can become over-stimulated and get aggressive when they play too long,” Lane says.