Greg, a pet owner from Gainesville, Florida, was left in disbelief when he checked his home surveillance footage after leaving his rescue cat, Penny, home alone for the first time. Greg had been on vacation at home for a week with Penny after adopting her from the Humane Society of North Central Florida. He was surprised to discover Penny’s energetic antics when he left the house to return to work.
In a hilarious clip shared on Reddit under the username Rearrangioing, Penny, a year-and-a-half-old tuxedo cat, can be seen running up and down the living room, speeding from one side of the room to the other in a behavior commonly referred to as „the zoomies.“ The video quickly went viral on social media, gaining viewers from across platforms like TikTok. It has received over 6,100 upvotes and 134 comments on Reddit.
„Since I got her right before July the 4th, I was home on vacation the entire first week I had her,“ Greg told Newsweek. „I did, however, have to go back to the office Monday the 8th, essentially leaving her alone for the first time. I couldn’t believe the 9-second video that the camera captured. Her first day alone at the house and she wasn’t missing me at all. Just zooming around.“
Penny’s antics were a classic example of cat zoomies, or frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs). These sudden bursts of energy are common in young and indoor cats. The animals often exhibit this behavior to burn off excess energy, usually after long periods of rest. Zoomies are also a natural expression of a cat’s hunting instincts, where they mimic the pursuit of prey.
Understanding the episodes of zoomies can help owners manage their pet’s energy levels better. According to experts, animals might need more mental and physical stimulation if their zoomies become frequent. Activities like interactive play sessions and providing various toys can help channel energy positively. Zoomies can also be a sign of excitement or stress relief, showing that the cat feels secure enough in its environment to engage in such activities.
The internet was left in stitches by Penny’s zoomies, with viewers commenting on the video with amusement. One user said, „She will be all curled up sweetly waiting for you to get home tonight. Or, she will be on top of the fridge waiting to pounce. This is one of the funniest things I’ve seen. I need a camera for my two!“ Another user remarked, „I see she’s doing her job by messing up the rugs during zoomie time. She’s hard at work.“
Greg’s video not only entertained viewers but also highlighted the importance of adopting pets from shelters. One user commented, „Thank you for adopting her from a Shelter. So cool you can monitor her when you are away!“ If you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share, you can send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in the Pet of the Week lineup.
