WHY CATS POOP AND ZOOM: Cats sometimes engage in frantic running (zoomies) after pooping due to a few factors. One theory involves the vagus nerve, which is stimulated during defecation, potentially triggering a euphoric or relieved feeling and the release of pent-up energy. Additionally, the act of pooping can cause a drop in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a sense of lightheadedness and a subsequent surge of energy. Some believe that the act of pooping itself can feel like a sense of