Cats play a big part in millions of people’s lives every day. They do not know if they are overly anxious, have trouble concentrating, or have any disorders like autism or ADHD. Cats live their lives with little care about what anyone thinks about them. They are all different, just like we are. But can cats actually have autism or ADHD? Let’s find out.
ADHD and Autism in Cats
The question of whether a cat can have autism or ADHD may take many by surprise, but hey, you won’t learn unless you ask, right? Animals tend to make us wonder if they feel the same emotions as we do or if invisible disorders plague them we do not know to help with because they cannot tell us. Animal psychologists study the behavior patterns of other animals while comparing their findings to a control. Do cats go through much of the same unique behaviors we humans go through? Is there animal PTSD, autism, depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, or severe anxiety disorders? Science is forever evolving and we might one day find out that our cats can have the same disorders humans have. Maybe cats have a better mindset to overcome mental health challenges and obstacles.
What is Autism?
Autism in humans is still studied closely to further the current knowledge with the hopes of helping people more than ever in the future. Autism is not a disease but a different way of thinking. You may have heard of the “autism spectrum.” That rainbow spectrum represents the many variables within autism in different people. No two autistics are the same. Everyone has sensory challenges, but to a more extreme extent, these sensory challenges can lead to negative feelings, violence, depression, and feeling very alone in the world. Do our cats experience a form of autism that is similar to our own?
Can Cats Have Autism?
Some felines may seem extra locked into details, repetitive in their actions and play, and even have some sensory challenges, but are they autistic? The short answer is no. Similar conditions have not been found in cats or dogs. It is possible that cats have their own set of neurodivergencies that we may never fully understand.
Some signs of autism in humans can be repetitive behaviors like turning in circles, spinning, or hand flapping; lack of socialization is another human trait that some cats exhibit, and they also choose to avoid loud noises because it scares them. Though cats cannot be autistic, they can have depression, anxiety, and OCD, which at times can have similarities to autism in humans.
What is ADHD?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ADHD can be defined in humans by hyperactivity, problems with following routines, forgetting personal hygiene or important tasks others take for granted, difficulty getting along with others, involving oneself in too many projects at once, problems with attention span and a host of secondary issues. Many people are diagnosed with ADHD as a child, though it is not clear cut. Everyone is different, just like each cat, and there is no way to know what personality and disorder are in many. This would be considerably more difficult in cats.
Can Cats Have ADHD?
Cats may seem to lack focus or have an existing attention span. They play aimlessly, starting and stopping one game only to pick up on another. They are obsessive washers, but that is just a feline trait. Cats will be the first to let you know that you are three minutes late feeding them dinner, so they are rooted in their daily routines. Cats may seem like they’re ADHD with many of their mannerisms, but often, it’s just how they play.
There is no scientific proof that cats are capable of being ADHD. They are sometimes easily distractible; others are locked in while stalking a bird through the window. Cats lose interest in toys reasonably fast, which is nothing to worry about. Your cat probably has been seen running in place before skidding across your kitchen, shooting down the hallway, running up the stairs, growling, and jumping off to the top as if they are possessed or on drugs. They are just being cats with the zoomies. They are just burning off excess energy and excitement. Many of their adorable quirks have no real rhyme or reason. It’s just your cat being a cat.
What’s the Verdict?
The verdict is that cats are hilariously charming, quirky, and collectible. If you’ve had more than one cat, chances are they were both very different. It’s the same with everyone. Your cat cannot be autistic and could possibly be ADHD, though there is no scientific backing. What they are is unique and here to make you laugh. Throughout your cat’s life, they will go through many personality changes. If you add a cat to the mix, each cat’s attitude will change somewhat. They are overly cautious and selective, enjoy getting into anything they shouldn’t, and can cost a fortune at the vet. They are our favorite parts of the day; even the painful biscuits on our lap are endearing.
Sometimes, the best way is to let everyone be quirky and different in whatever way they want. Cat personalities can also change when a new partner or child is added to the family or a move to a new house occurs. At the end of the day, we wouldn’t want it any other way. Cats are amusing, defiant, and proper jokesters. As you can tell from the abundance of internet-famous cats, the world is filled with strange fuzzballs.
