Can Cats Have Autism?

neuroleptical · 05-23-2003, 11:04 AM

I often wondered what was Hank's problem when she was growing up: she seemed like she was in her own world. She would retrieve a sponge ball almost robotically, & was so quiet & weird that I had to ask the vet if she was deaf (she isn't).
She is still quite weird. She doesn't like being patted or scratched gently, she only likes being whacked like you affectionately whack a horse or a big dog. She hates other cats & people.
In many ways, she seemed to fit the criteria for autism when I read about it a long time ago. She is friendlier than she used to be, which is good, so maybe she only has mild autism (Asperger's syndrome).

clearjade · 05-23-2003, 10:20 PM

Maybe she's just got a unique personality? Or she could just be slower to form attachments to people due to her past (I don't know what happened)? Maybe some cats are more affectionate than others?

Sometimes I think pets have selective hearing, Keesha and Ally come right away when I call their names and have a treat in my hands, but totally ignore me if they spot a squirrel, then I could be yelling my lungs out and they wouldn't care, lol!

Brandy · 05-25-2003, 09:38 AM

Sasha's like that to Diana,,,lol,,,,Neuro,,I actually think I have heard of pets having autisim,,I babysat a little autistic boy and his mother went to so many classes and things about it,,,and I think I remember hearin gher saying something about animals with autisim,,i could be totally wrong but it just sounds familiar

clearjade · 05-25-2003, 01:49 PM

That would make sense, human beings are animals and if humans can be autistic, why not animals?

Candice might be able to give more info though, it's her field