Some cats and dogs may exhibit traits that leave their owners wondering if they are autistic, but can cats and dogs be autistic? Cats especially can exhibit some of the same symptoms that people diagnosed with autism do. Keep reading to discover if autism is a possibility in cats and dogs.
Your Pet Avoids Touch
While many cats love spending time with you, some cats simply do not like to be touched. They may tolerate you petting them but do not crave the attention. If they are visibly flinching when you touch them, this could be a sign of discomfort and will need to be closely monitored or examined by your veterinarian. Just because a cat avoids being touched does not mean they are autistic.
Most dogs crave attention and love to be touched and petted by people. However, some dogs that have not had proper socialization as a young puppy will avoid being touched. Yelping or flinching when being petted is cause for concern and should be discussed with your vet to see if a visit is necessary.
Your Pet Hates Loud Noises
Let’s face it, loud noises can startle even those with nerves of steel. Dogs and cats are no different. How your dog or cat reacts and recovers from loud noises is what determines if they have a behavior disorder or not. Fireworks and loud machinery will irritate your dog or cat, even loud people may irritate them. If your dog or cat hides for hours after the noise has stopped, this is not normal behavior.
Aloof Behavior
Not wanting to interact much with you or other cats may just be a personality quirk that makes your cat unique. They may very well prefer their own company to that of another feline or even you. If you feel their aloofness is unusual, speak with your veterinarian and have them ensure there is no underlying health issue.
Certain dog breeds were bred to be aloof or wary of people, especially strangers. Know the history and general personality traits of your dog’s breed, or breeds if your dog has mixed heritage. If your dog’s breed is not naturally aloof, early socialization may not have occurred making your dog happy to be alone rather than with you. Dogs that are normally friendly but now act aloof will need to visit their veterinarian to find out the cause of their self-isolation.
Uncomfortable In New Situations
Not all cats are outgoing and enjoy new situations or even meeting new people. It may be completely normal for your cat to be standoffish with new people, animals, or situations. Give them time to adjust to the situation and if they are not able to relax and go with the flow, do not force it, read their body language to know if they are comfortable. Speak with your vet if your typically gregarious cat suddenly does not want to experience new things.
Unsocialized dogs will not find new situations enjoyable. Early socialization is important to ensure they can adjust to their environment and accept changes easily. Some dogs simply do not like new situations and prefer keeping things as-is and not stepping outside their comfort zone. If your dog is like that, do not push them, instead, let them take their time to adjust.
Repetitive Tasks
Many cats like to do repetitive tasks. Doing the same thing repeatedly could be completely normal for your cat. But, if they do not generally like repetition this could be a sign that something is wrong and a trip to the veterinarian may be in order. Sometimes cats have strange behaviors that are harmless.
Dogs generally only perform repetitive tasks when their owner asks them to do so. Training sessions with repetition are encouraged to keep your canine companion on track and learn new commands and tasks. Dogs that seem to focus on doing the same thing repeatedly should be carefully monitored and a discussion with your veterinarian is probably a good idea.
Autistic Behavior of Cats
It’s in the genes. Cat behaviors are passed down through the generations. Some cat breeds are more social, whereas others are reserved. Genes are just one area though; the environment is another huge factor in their behavior. A loud or busy household may cause stress on a cat, making them adopt certain behavioral traits that mimic autism.
Health issues may also cause you to think your cat has autistic tendencies. Talk with your veterinarian about any issues your cat may be facing. Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are very real in cats and should be taken seriously. Kidney disease and diabetes can also make your cat’s behavior change and seem like autism.
Can Cats and Dogs Be Autistic?
Autism is only diagnosed in humans. There is not enough research on typical versus atypical dog or cat behaviors to be able to make a proper diagnosis. Dogs and cats can present with many of the same symptoms as autism.
Canine Dysfunctional Behavior (CDB) has been included in veterinary medicine and only applies to dogs. Cats cannot be diagnosed with autism or CDB. Common symptoms of CDB include:
- Avoiding interactions with other dogs
- Ignoring their owner
- Compulsive or repetitive behavior
Caring for Dogs with CDB
While cats cannot be diagnosed with CDB or autism, these care tips for dogs with canine dysfunctional behavior can be modified for your cat if you believe your cat has autistic-like tendencies.
Create a safe environment that is calm with very little stress. Chaos is not conducive to a safe environment for dogs with CDB. Reduce noise in the home and provide a quiet area they can retreat to when they feel overwhelmed. Set up a crate for your dog or even your cat that is just theirs and a place where they can go to be away from everything.
Set a regular schedule. Dogs with CDB will thrive when they have a regular schedule and know what to expect throughout the day. Have specific meal times, play times, and nap times. During play times have plenty of fun toys including interactive toys to keep them busy and not focused on any outside stresses.
Calming chews may also be beneficial when your dog gets anxious or their daily routine has to change slightly, such as a trip to the veterinarian or groomer. There are several calming chews available over the counter on Amazon or Chewy, talk with your veterinarian about which one is best for your dog.
While autism is strictly a human disorder, that does not mean that advancements in veterinary medicine won’t rule it out in cats and dogs in the future. There has not been enough research done to verify that it does exist. If you think your cat or dog is exhibiting signs of autistic behavior, consult with your veterinarian and create a calm, relaxing environment where your pet can thrive.
