Cross Breeds

Can animals like cats and dogs be autistic?

I don't mean that in a funny way. But we have a cat that displays most of the characteristics of an autistic human, comparitively. I was just wondering if it is possible for animals to have mental disorders and diseases and such, too. I always give her a little extra love and attention than the others..sometimes she seems almost normal..other times she seems so odd like that. When she is in her odd stage she has behaviour problems and walks off furniture and falls and trips and whatnot..this has gone on for years and no vet has been able to tell me why. I still love her dearly tho!

Public Comments

1. Yes, several pugs in my dads family have "challenged" puppies. It is possible.
2. I sure think so. I've been around many animals and they don't all seem to be on the same page. If humans can suffer mental disorders and diseases, why not animals? There's incredibly inteeligent animals, then some that can find their way out of the paper bag. They are not all hardwired to be stereotypical of each other. I hope you love your kitty anyway and try to make it's convoluted life as comfortable a possible.
3. YEAP.
4. I think it's very possible. Especially if you got it from an abusive home. No telling what happened to it and what behaviors it came up with to deal with it. Or if it had a disease as a baby. My friend has a Shepard who is "challenged" because he had distemper as a pup.