Why Do Cats Act Crazy?

Why Do Cats Act Crazy?

No matter the breed, all cats have moments when they run across a room, meow like crazy, and act as though they are on a racetrack being chased. They dart about, faster and faster, looking all over the place and then suddenly stop in their tracks.

This wild behavior is sometimes referred to as the "midnight crazies" when it happens at night. Your cat may entertain themselves with wild activity or jump on your bed to paw at your feet, elbows, hair, and face to get you to join in on the fun. The reasons for this amusing and wild behavior can vary.

Predatory Instincts

Cats are natural predators and domestic cats retain this instinct to a certain extent. At times, a cat who is acting crazy may actually be exhibiting hunting behaviors, fighting maneuvers, and escape techniques.

House cats who do not have to hunt for their food will still need to exert their pent up energy and it is often in the form of this crazy behavior. Toys such as mice, laser pointers, and feather wands will encourage a cat to use their natural instincts to grab, chase, and jump. This exercise is especially important if they do not spend time outdoors.

Nocturnal Instincts

Another reason for your cat’s crazy behavior could be because cats are nocturnal and become more active at night. If they aren't getting enough exercise during the day they will be especially crazy.

Many house cats spend the days alone indoors while their owners are at work. When the owner comes home in the evening, the cat wants to play and will be very active. If they have no outlet for this energy they may exhibit some crazy behavior. Kittens will be especially energetic.

Senility

If you have an older cat, it is possible that they are acting crazy due to some cognitive dysfunction or senility. As pets age, their brains may start functioning differently and cause them to exhibit strange behaviors with no reasonable explanation.

Fleas

Sometimes cats will act crazy and look like something is biting them sporadically because they have fleas. Particularly when meowing is involved, a cat could simply have an itch in a place they can't reach or be hypersensitive to flea bites.

If you suspect your cat has fleas, be sure to treat all furry animals in the household with a product designed to kill and prevent fleas. For a heavy infestation, you will also need to treat the environment by vacuuming, doing laundry, and using area sprays or flea bombs. Once the fleas are gone, your cat should stop this behavior.

FHS

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) is a rather rare reason why cats may act crazy. FHS is not common but it affects mature cats most often and the cause is unknown

Discuss FHS with your veterinarian if you notice:

• The skin on your cat's back appears to be rippling while they are running about.
• A cat who frequently bites at their back above the tail, even after you've properly treated for fleas.
• When petting at the base of the tail or back triggers your cat to groom, scratch, and bite the area excessively and then run around the house crazily.