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Why Does My Cat Go Crazy After Eating? (Obsessed?)

If your cat is going crazy after eating you may be wondering why this is happening and if this is normal…

Why does my cat go crazy after eating?

Cats are known to go crazy after eating because they are getting rid of pent-up energy. This is common with cats especially if they are indoor cats that have not spent their energy outside running and hunting, etc. Most cats run out of energy shortly after resulting in a cat knap.

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So, now you know. But, do cats run around like crazy for other reasons? Do kittens act crazier? Do they also meow after eating, or is there another reason for this? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Other Reasons Why Your Cat Goes Crazy After Eating

Earlier I mentioned some reasons for this but, in this section, I will share some other common reasons for your cat going crazy after eating:

Expressing Its Happiness

Cats may express happiness in a variety of ways including meowing loudly, purring, rubbing all over you, and acting crazy. If you feed your cat one of its favorite foods or come home after a long day to give your cat its dinner, then your cat may act a little crazy trying to express how thrilled it is to have eaten.

Food also provides energy, and some foods are packed with more energizing nutrients than others which can also account for your cat going wild after it has eaten a meal.

Anxiety

Some cats have a neurological disorder termed psychogenic abnormal feeding behavior that is linked to stress and anxiety concerning mealtime. Some cats can display aggressive behavior or goes run around like wild before or after they eat.

More subtle signs of anxiety in your cat after they eat are excessive meowing, hiding, or restless pacing. Typically, there isn’t anything wrong with the food; there are just connections in your cat’s brain that relate eating to stress. Talk to your vet to see if there is cause for concern or any recommended medications for your cat.

Hasn’t Been Neutered

If your cat hasn’t been neutered, whether it is right after mealtime or in the middle of the night, cats will go crazy during the breeding season. Their hormones are going crazy which causes them to go crazy because the only thing their minds and bodies are focused on is reproduction.

If your cat isn’t neutered, going crazy after mealtime may have nothing to do with food other than they have been given more energy to go run around. Once they are neutered or have successfully mated, they should calm down and not be as rambunctious.

Old Age

With age comes behavioral changes especially with cats. If your cat goes crazy after eating and they are advanced in years, it may just be a sign of old age. A cat’s brain is not as fast in old age as it is in youth, and neither is its body for that matter.

There may be signs of cognitive dysfunction that cause the cat to act deliriously or confused even after a simple act such as eating. Environmental stressors also take a heavier toll in old age and cats can’t handle them as well as when they were younger.

Hunting Instincts

Your cat may be domesticated but all cats are hunters at heart. Your cat may be going crazy after it eats because it is channeling its inner hunter. Your cat may be burning off pent-up energy doing things such as chasing, fighting, escaping, or playing. All of these are hunting behaviors.

If your cat is especially active and has not had a chance to run around, this may manifest as latent hunting instincts that can be triggered with the presence of food.

A Medical Issue

If your cat seems overly thrilled with its food and acts crazy when you feed it, that may be a sign of a medical problem. Cats that obsess over food and lick their plates completely clean then bounce around or beg like you haven’t fed them could be suffering from several issues.

Thyroid conditions and diabetes can stimulate a cat to eat to excess even when it doesn’t need the food. This could lead to severe obesity or life-threatening situations so monitor your cat. Some parasites can also cause excessive and obsessive eating. If you suspect any of these conditions, contact your vet immediately.

Why is my cat running around the house like a maniac?

If your cat is running around crazy after a meal you can assume it’s just burning off that energy spike from the food but if it is random times of day it may be an indication that it needs more daily exercise.

If it is the latter and your cat is an indoor cat you have a few options:

01. A cat tree

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A cat tree is a great way for your cat to get some extra exercise without your having to actively take part. Therefore you can put your feet up, relax, and let the cat climb around to its heart content.

02. Spend some time playing with it

If a cat tree is not your thing, or out of your reach right now, you will have to consider investing some more quality time with your cat. You will need to allocate some extra time per day to play with your cat.

This could be as simple as throwing around a cat toy ball (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad), or something similar. You can be creative with this, to be honest, so whatever keeps it active.

03. Consider letting it outside

If all else fails you can consider letting your cat outside (click here to see how they may survive). This would allow it to get as much exercise as it needs.

Some cat owners are apprehensive to let their cat out in case it gets lost or worse. And, these are potential risks. So, you have to weigh up the pros and cons of each and see if it’s worth considering.

What do you do if your cat is obsessed with food?

If your cat is obsessed with food and this is contributing to its crazy behavior you will need to keep it active while it gets fed. Meaning, turning feeding into a game to keep it active and slowing down its consumption.

For example, using a food puzzle (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad), this simple object can help to slow it down and make it work for its next meal. These puzzles can double up as toys for your cat as well.

What are cat zoomies?

Zoomies, or Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs) as they are scientifically known, are random actives of high energy that confuse or startle some cat owners. This can be after a meal or even at random times of the day. It can happen at the night as well.

When you are researching why your cat is going crazy after a meal you will inevitably come across this term. So, it’s important to know how this may fit in with your cat’s behavior.

Why does my cat get the Zoomies?

Cats can get zoomies for several reasons. Some of the most common reasons are after a meal, following a long sleep, or even late at night. Each one can be caused by numerous reasons.

For example, following a long sleep, a cat may conserve a lot of energy. Then, when they rise they may feel compelled to spend that energy by going crazy, also known as the “zoomies”. This is why you are likely to come across this term.

Do cats act crazier than kittens?

Kittens do seem to act crazier than adult cats because they are more playful and learn their boundaries. However, this can also be because of their environment. For example, if they live in a small apartment. If this is the case, they may feel the urge to burn off energy from the space restrictions.

Either way, it is normal for kittens to act crazy and playful. And, if this is happening it’s worth understanding that is how they can be sometimes. This is quite similar to having a young toddler around the home they are just like that sometimes, right?

In a way, it is part of what you sign up for when you get a young kitten as your pet.

Should you discipline your cat for going crazy following their meal?

It is not a good idea to discipline your cat for going crazy after their food. It may cause you some mild inconvenience but disciplining your cat for this may cause more issues than benefits.

For example, your cat may see you shouting at it and wonder why this is happening. Remember, they can’t understand your shouting or slurs, right? Therefore, it may just assume you are volatile and make it trust you less.

A better alternative…

If you are looking for an alternative to this, after understanding the problems with this approach, you can consider positive reinforcement. This can be by offering it a simple treat (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad) for it doing what you want.

So, if your cat calms down on your request, simply offer one of these treats. The aim is to make it look forward to these treats and praises. And, hopefully, in time, it will do as you say, on-demand.

Do some cats sleep after going crazy?

There is a good chance that your cat will go to sleep right after going crazy. The sequence of events normally is as follows, eat, go crazy for serval minutes, then crash out for a knap. This is when the owner can get their break.

However, be prepared. Why? Because some cats may wake up after that sleep to go crazy again because they re-energized in that break.

Do some cats also meow after eating?

Some cats will meow after eating. But, this is usually a sign that they were happy with the meal or begging for more food. Cats can’t talk so meowing in this way is the only way they can communicate how they feel about the food.

This behavior is different from going crazy after a meal. And, if you have seen your cat go nuts after a meal, I am sure you will agree, right?

Can spreading out your cat meals help with its food obsession?

If your cat is obsessed with a food timer, also known as an automatic feeder (click here to see my best one), can help to spread out their meals and help you use some portion control. They are easy to set up and allow you freedom if you need to go out to work, or away for the weekend.