Why Do Cats Run After Pooping?
When a cat poops, it stimulates a nerve in their body that gives them a euphoric feeling, which might explain why your cat gets the zoomies. The nerve that's being stimulated is called the vagus nerve, and it runs from the brain throughout the body, including the entire digestive tract, Shojai said.

Why does my cat get Zoomies after pooping?

“Poo-phoria”

It captures the feeling of euphoria after passing a large stool. That euphoric feeling is thanks to the vagus nerve, which runs from our brainstems to our colon. Just like humans, cats have a vagus nerve.

Why do cats run from the litter box after pooping?

The vagus nerve in cats — and humans — runs from the brain to the colon, and the act of going poo can stimulate that nerve and cause some exhilaration. If your cat has never done this before and suddenly starts, there might be something less fun going on, especially if the cat stops using the litter box for poop.
Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.

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