Why Do Cats Get the Zoomies After Pooping? 4 Wild Reasons

Cats are peculiar creatures that march to the beat of their own drum. Cat owners know that cats can be finicky and develop some interesting habits, such as zooming around the house after a poop. While it may be funny and leave you scratching your head, have you ever wondered why your cat gets the zoomies after a poop? Is it healthy, and should you worry?

Most times, your cat having the zoomies after a poop is no cause for alarm, but it could be a medical issue that needs addressing. Come with us to explore the four possible reasons cats may get the zoomies after they poop.

The 4 Reasons Cats Get the Zoomies After Pooping

1. Survival Instincts

Cats have survival instincts; in the wild, a cat will scatter away from its waste to avoid predators. Predators will be drawn to the scent of the cat’s waste, and if the cat sticks around, it could be putting itself at risk of becoming prey.

Your cat may also think that its own poop smell is that of a predator, and your cat will want to get as far away as possible from the scent in order to avoid attraction from a predator.

2. Feelings of Euphoria

Believe it or not, both cats and humans have a nerve called the vagus nerve that runs from the brainstem all the way to the colon. This nerve serves multiple functions, such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, cardiovascular activity, and reflexes such as swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and even vomiting.

Experts believe that this nerve can become stimulated after a poop, which can give a cat a euphoric feeling. With such a euphoric feeling, a cat may get the zoomies from stimulation of the vagus nerve.

russian blue cat running in the meadow — Image By: ddisq, Shutterstock

3. Independence

Kids enjoy having their independence from their parents, especially when they become potty independent, and cats are no different. A cat may flaunt its pottying independence by zooming around the house after a poop. Or it could be because they simply feel good after pooping.

Regardless, if a cat feels independent after a poop, zoomies will more than likely follow. Now can you imagine if children had the zoomies after a poop because they were flaunting their independence?

4. Medical Issues

Cat zoomies after a poop may be due to some type of medical issue. Discomfort while pooping or urinating may cause your cat to scatter and zoom around the house because your cat is in pain. Constipation can cause painful poops, and you’ll want to keep your cat’s digestive system working smoothly. A lack of exercise, obesity, ingesting a foreign object, or hairballs can cause constipation.

Inflammation or infections of the colon, rectum or urinary tract can cause painful waste elimination, which can cause your cat to zoom around after using the litter box. A vet examination is warranted if you suspect your cat has a medical issue, especially if having the post-poop zoomies is a new behavior from your cat. It’s always best to ensure no medical reason is the cause, and if that is ruled out, there is no cause for alarm.

cat is running on green grass — Image Credit: YuliaPodlesnova, Shutterstock

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a few reasons why your cat may get the zoomies after a poop. Remember that if you suspect a medical issue, have your cat checked out by your veterinarian. Avoid leaving out foreign objects that your cat could ingest, which may cause medical issues. If no medical reason is the cause, you can chuckle at your cat having the zoomies after a poop.