Why Does My Cat Get Zoomies at Night? Solutions & When to Worry

Why cats do this

You know that moment when your cat's eyes go wide, their butt wiggles, and then they're off like a rocket? That's a zoomie. Cats do this to burn off energy they've been saving up — kind of like when you've been sitting all day and just need to move.

The nighttime part makes sense when you think about it. Cats are built to hunt at dawn and dusk. That's when mice and birds are easiest to catch in the wild. Your cat doesn't have mice to chase, but their body still says 'go time!' when evening rolls around.

Indoor cats especially get the zoomies because they spend most of the day napping. All that rest means lots of energy with nowhere to go. So when their internal clock says it's hunting hour, they sprint through your hallway instead.

What you can do

The trick is to tire your cat out before bedtime. It really works — here's how to do it.

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   Step 1: Set up a play session about an hour before you want to sleep. Wand toys work great. Let them chase, pounce, and 'catch' the toy a few times.
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   Step 2: Right after playing, give them their main meal. This follows their natural pattern — hunt, eat, groom, sleep. A full belly after exercise makes cats sleepy.
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   Step 3: During the day, give them things to do. A window perch, puzzle feeder, or even a cardboard box can help burn mental energy so they're not bouncing off walls at midnight.
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   Step 4: Keep things calm before bed. Dim the lights, skip the roughhousing, and let your cat wind down with you.

What NOT to do

Here's the hard part — when your cat goes nuts at 3 AM, you have to ignore it. I know, I know. But if you get up to feed them, play with them, or even yell at them, they learn that zoomies = attention. And then you'll never sleep again.

Also, don't lock them in a tiny room as punishment. That just makes them frustrated and more likely to act out. The goal is to help them use their energy earlier, not to trap it.

When to call a vet

Most zoomies are totally fine. But there are a few situations where it's smart to check in with your vet.

• • Your cat is older (7+) and suddenly way more hyper than they used to be
• • They're losing weight even though they're eating plenty
• • The zoomies come with weird yowling or crying
• • They seem confused or run into things
• • They keep running to the litter box or biting at their backside

Kittens, seniors, and anxious cats

Kittens are zoomie machines — it's just what they do. They have tons of energy and zero chill. Most calm down somewhere between 1 and 2 years old. Until then, lots of play sessions are your best friend.

Senior cats usually slow down, so if your older cat suddenly starts acting like a kitten at night, that's worth a vet visit. Sometimes older cats get overactive when something's off with their thyroid or they're feeling confused.

Anxious cats sometimes zoom when they're stressed rather than just burning energy. If your cat is also hiding more, not eating well, or overgrooming, try to figure out what's bothering them. New pet? Loud construction? Moved the furniture? Cats are sensitive to changes.