Have you ever been in a situation that makes you wonder Why is my cat yowling and running around? Usually, felines act in this way for the following reasons:

 

• Boredom
• Need for attention
• Stress
• Threat
• Territorial behavior
• Pain
• Hormones
• Old age

Why Is My Cat Yowling and Running Around? 

 

Over the years, I’ve learned that cats are odd creatures, yet we love them with all their quirks. Still, one of their weird behaviors can be particularly annoying and hard to understand. What I’m talking about are the moments when your feline gets excessively vocal and starts sprinting around like crazy. Such unusual scenes can make you ask yourself, Why is my cat yowling and running around?

 

From my experience, this manic behavior can be caused by a number of things. For the most part, it’s harmless and easy to control. However, sometimes, a kitty that yowls and runs around may have a serious behavioral or medical problem. So, you need to find out what you’re dealing with to ensure that your furball is healthy and happy.

 

 

A Quick Terminology Guide to Get You Started

 

Before we dive into the topic, I’d like to make a quick note on some basic terms. . They are:

 

• Zoomies: Sudden episodes of cat hyperactivity that may include springing around, playing, and jumping. 
• Yowling: A drawn-out, melancholic sound that cats sometimes make.
• Howling: Another word for ‘yowling.’
• Caterwauling: A yowl-like sound that felines make when they are in heat.

 

Reasons and Solutions for a Cat Yowling and Running Around

 

 

If you have a cat, you’ve probably noticed that your fluffy companion has its ways to communicate with you. For starters, kitties like to purr to show us that they’re feeling calm. Also, they can chirp when they see potential prey, such as a small bird.

 

Therefore, yowling is just another sound that your furball uses to express how they feel. Still, when it comes combined with the zoomies, it may suggest intense emotions or sensations. So, . 

 

Boredom and Need for Attention

 

When cats are bored, they can do strange things, such as overgrooming or dropping “surprise packages” outside their litter box. Another way your purring friend may decide to express its boredom is by howling and zooming. Usually, . Sometimes, however, they may yowl and spring around in your presence too. 

Solution

Give your cat something to do or help it use up its energy. For example, buy your kitty new toys or a bigger scratching post to make its environment more engaging. Also, I have found that old cardboard boxes can be quite useful in such situations. Just put one in the middle of the room and watch how your cat becomes immediately drawn to it.

 

Stress 

 

Like humans, felines can suffer from stress and anxiety. However, with kitties, these cognitive states are typically observed when there has been a significant change in their life. For instance, there may be a new pet in the household, or you may have recently moved house.

 

A cat yowling and running around is also a classic sign that your fluffy friend has separation anxiety. Maybe you’ve recently started spending less time at home because of a new job or gym membership. Whatever the reason behind it, your cat is obviously not happy with your absence, and it shows.

Solution 

The best way to help a cat with anxiety issues is to spend more quality time with it. Try playing with your furball every day and give it plenty of cuddles. Also, . 

 

Threat

 

Kitties are easy to startle because they are highly sensitive to smells and loud noises. So, your cat may howl and spring around when it feels threatened by something inside or outside your home. Unfortunately, felines can see many things as a “threat,” including a crying baby or a stray cat in your yard.

 

I should warn you, however, that the cat’s reaction may escalate into redirected aggression. . Usually, the feline reacts to this discomforting situation by attacking the animal or person that happens to be around. Therefore, try to keep your distance from your pet to avoid getting hurt. 

Solution 

Remove your furball from the situation that makes it feel uneasy. If you can, confine your purring companion to a safe space such as its crate or a small room. Then, give your pet some time to calm down. 

 

If things go out of control and your cat becomes aggressive, seek professional help from a feline behavioral expert. Redirected aggression is a problem that won’t go away on its own. What’s more, over time, it may even become worse. 

 

Territorial Behavior

 

Did you know that felines are even more territorial than dogs? As such, they are more prone to having territorial issues than pooches. So, usually, .

 

When your fur baby senses that someone else has invaded its territory, it will quickly get angry. To show its annoyance, the cat will yowl and run around like a lunatic. However, if the “trespasser” fails to take the hint and sticks around, your fluffy friend may attack them. 

Solution

Start by gently petting your cat on the back to reassure it that everything is fine. If the cause for the behavior is a new pet, introduce the two animals gradually. Furthermore, keep them in separate rooms until they warm up to each other.

 

Sometimes, cats that have been the only pet in a home for many years are more antisocial. Therefore, keep in mind that your feline may never accept the new furry addition to the family. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about it. 

 

Pain or Discomfort

 

A cat yowling and running around may be in pain. The cause for the physical discomfort can be anything from a stomach ache to a serious injury. 

 

Usually, felines avoid showing their pain because they don’t want to appear weak. Thanks to this instinct, kitties are less vulnerable to predators. So, if your fluffy friend is vocal about a physical problem it has, odds are it needs your help.

Solution

Take your cat to the vet’s office, where it can undergo a full examination. Common causes of intense feline discomfort include bladder problems and digestive tract obstruction.

 

Hormones

 

When cats are in heat, they always howl and get the zoomies. However, the sound that they make is slightly different from the typical feline yowling that you may have heard. It’s called caterwauling, and it resembles whining. So, it tends to be even more annoying than a yowl.

 

Usually, cats become sexually mature around the age of six months. As a result, that’s the first time when many feline owners ask themselves, Why is my cat yowling and running around? 

Solution 

Although you can ask your veterinarian to prescribe your furball some medications, I’d advise against it. Such drugs have a long list of harmful side effects, and they only serve as a short-term solution. Therefore, unless you want to breed your cat, it would be best if you neuter or spay it. 

 

Old Age

 

Cats that are 11 years old and over are prone to developing cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Sadly, this condition leads to a series of health issues, such as problems with memory, hearing, and sight. So, many senior felines may become so disoriented and stressed that they might howl and spring around.

Solution

Unfortunately, CDS can’t be treated, but its symptoms can be reduced through supplements or lifestyle changes. Consult your vet to see how you can help your purring companion.

 

In Conclusion

 

As you can see, a cat yowling and running around may be trying to tell you something serious. While such behavior is not always a cause for concern, you should not ignore it. Instead, get to the bottom of the problem to ensure that your fluffy friend is feeling comfortable and healthy.