Your pet is resting peacefully in his bed and, in a matter of seconds, decides to start running around the house as if there was no tomorrow. The race does not usually last more than several minutes, although it seems much longer when the house is full of people. In addition, it must be admitted that this is quite strange behavior. Why do some cats and dogs run for no apparent reason?
According to José Arce, president of the American Association of Veterinary Medicine, it is one of the ways in which furry people have fun. These bursts of energy are called Frantic Random Activity Periods (FRAP) and are completely normal. In fact, this behavior is observed in many species of wild and domestic animals.
Although these energy blasts are completely random, some triggers are quite common. For example, when an owner lets his puppy out of the cage in which it was locked. Thus, the dog could run around the house to release the accumulated energy. In the same way, dogs often run from the excitement when they see their owners after a day of work, or after a bath to release their nerves.
As for cats, they are more likely to decide to run around at night or at dawn, since they are usually most active during those hours. They also tend to experience these attacks after grooming or using the litter box. Similarly, when they receive wet food, some cats are so happy that they cannot avoid running from one side to the other down the hall or on the sofa.
On the other hand, felines tend to run less time than dogs. Also, some large breed dogs (such as German Shepherds) may have more energy blasts than small breed dogs. This is because they need to release energy more frequently, as José Arce says.
Differences from obsessive compulsive disorder
Although these energy attacks are normal behavior, some pet owners misunderstand it and even think that the animal is sick or stressed. In fact, this behavior can be confused with obsessive compulsive behavior in dogs. Dogs with this disorder often chase their tails, bite the air, or even follow shadows. But running around the house is not a sign of OCD in dogs.
Therefore, if you have doubts about your pet’s behavior, it is best to record a video and go to your trusted veterinarian.
