Does your cat or dog suddenly get a boost of energy and perform athletic feats that would make an Olympic medalist jealous? Welcome to the world of quarter-hour madness.
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Fifteen hours of madness are intense periods of high-energy activity, where the animal may start running, spinning, jumping or rolling on the ground. All at top speed.
The scientific name for this phenomenon has been proposed as “frenetic random activity periods” (FRAP). In rabbits, we speak of binkies. But many cat and dog owners call them zoomies, or quarter-hour madness.
So why do our animals have fifteen minutes of madness? Should we be worried about it?
Where do the quarter hours of madness come from?
Think back to the times when your cat or dog has a crazy time.
It can happen after the bath, in the dog park, in the middle of the night and, of course, often we have no idea what is causing it.
The trigger can be excitement or a sudden increase in stimulation.
In cats, a common trigger is going through the litter box. This is called “pooping”, a feeling of euphoria after defecation. This phenomenon may be due to the fact that the passage of stool stimulates the vagus nerveleading to positive feelings and lower heart rate and blood pressure.
Fifteen minutes of madness can be considered game time, as the two behaviors share many characteristics. These moments would therefore be intrinsically pleasant, or, in other words, a real party.
If crazy quarters are part of your pet’s play routine, it means he’s happy and having fun.
Although we do not yet know if this phenomenon is more common at certain times of the day, or if it occurs more often in certain breeds than in others, we generally consider it to be an indication of a level high in excitement and, probably, in a good mood.
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Humans are animals too, and some people also have what could be tantamount to quarters of insanity.
Have you ever suddenly experienced intense excitement and overflowing energy? Maybe you felt like jumping, wiggling, or dancing, before that feeling faded and you went back to how you were.
It can be caused by a multitude of things – an exciting or new situation, a spike in energy after a long period of rest, or a change in your internal chemistry. You may have experienced a flare-upadrenaline caused by excitement, overstimulation or stress.
Are fifteen minutes of madness always a sign of happiness?
We must not forget that animals are individuals and that, just like us, the reason why they behave the way they do is complex and multiple.
When evaluating your pet’s behavior, it is essential to consider the context.
There’s a lot of talk online about quarter-hour insanity, but there’s a lack of scientific research into their causes and frequency, and there isn’t even an official definition of the phenomenon.
Ask yourself: am I invited to the fifteen minutes of madness?
In dogs and cats, quarter hours of madness may include an invitation to join in – in dogs this is most often a bowing position, where the dog appears to bow to another to indicate that he wants to play, followed by a pause that is often observed in the dyadic game (game between two or more individuals).
In cats, the invitation may be to physically interact with you or to roll on the floor repeatedly. If so, your pet is probably excited and wants to play with you.
What should I do when my pet goes crazy?
Unless there is an element of immediate danger (for example, if it happens on or near a road), there is no reason to stop your cat or dog from having a blast. .
Cats and dogs are adept at avoiding obstacles, even at high speeds. If you are lucky enough to receive an invitation to participate in the frenzy, do not hesitate to join the game.
Sharing activities such as play with your dog or cat can involve many benefits for the human-animal relationship. It’s also great fun for you!
When should we be worried?
Fifteen minutes of madness are a normal part of a dog’s or cat’s life and are completely normal (and fun).
Sometimes, however, it can be a symptom of stress or a health problem.
As always, it’s the context that matters. You should consult your veterinarian if your dog or cat exhibits the behavior in question for long periods of time (particularly, if they run around in circles or if the behavior occurs during confinement). These may be signs of a repetitive behavior disorder.
If you have trouble deflecting or stopping this behavior, or if it results in injury, talk to a veterinarian.
Even if you don’t feel like participating in the frenzy, take the time to stop and watch your dog or cat having fun.
We all need a moment of madness sometimes…
