i think my cat has aspergers...

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what other traits does the cat have?
that would not get a diagnosis even if it was possible in cats [although they do officially diagnose OCD].

Some cats are so aspie or autie it seems wrong how no proper study of cats and autism has been done.
Am have a cat who is strongly behaviorally autistic [in avatar].
If they diagnosed autism in cats,am certain she would be labelled an autie.
Some WPers have said their dogs are aspie or autie like to.

I know why it's doing that - but I don't know if you'd be interested in hearing. It's not such great news.

Most cats are like that.

It's a cat. You can't apply human diagnostic methods to it.

It's pretty funny.

tmad40blue,

It's probably wise to put down humans who display these autistic tendencies too; they suffer far too much. It goes against all that's humane to watch them suffer in their social disconnect and sensory devastation.

Well, obviously a lot of cats have Asperger's Syndrome, but my dog has AS too. His symptoms:

-Intense, Narrow Interests: obsesses over squirrels, birds, and cats, to the exclusion of other interests

-Reluctance to Socialize: stares at squirrels instead of playing with other dogs at the dog park

-Disinterest in Social Hierarchy: ignores acts of aggression/dominance from other dogs--neither complies nor retaliates

-Adherence to Routines: prefers to follow a strict routine each day, prefers to eat the same thing every day, is distressed if routine is disrupted

-Sensory Issues: over-sensitive to most stimuli, yet seems deaf when focused on one of the above interests

-Stimming: has numerous stims such as licking, chewing, and spinning

-Obsessive / Compulsive Behavior: compulsively drinks excessive amounts of water (no underlying medical cause), eats as fast as possible and then licks the bowl obsessively (not underweight)

-Echolalia: responds to loud noises with loud noises, responds to high pitched bird and squirrel sounds with high pitched whining sounds

-Social Awkwardness: uncomfortable with eye contact yet seems oblivious to social barriers (hugs human strangers, attempts to play with canine strangers)

There is no cure. I love him for who he is. He may never be the most popular dog in the neighborhood, but he is the neighborhood's only Squirrel Expert.

EDIT: I forgot to add that he has a monotone bark.

@Danielismyname and EvilKimEvil: Thank you both for bringing sunshine and laughter into my day.

@Your: Cats, many other animals, and not a few humans find it confronting to be stared directly in the eyes. The posters who have mentioned this are correct. Here is a civil, friendly cat greeting:

1. Approach the cat, but not too closely. Two or three metres is enough.
2. Turn your face to the cat, and glance at it to make sure it's seeing you.
3. Slowly and deliberately blink your eyes a few times.
4. Turn your head away and carry on with whatever you were doing.

This is Housecat for "Hello, I mean you no harm." After you have done this a few times, the cat may indeed decide that you're harmless, and possibly even come up to you to have its chin scratched.

Also, you should extend your hand out for the cat to sniff. It is important to extend the hand low, under the cat's chin, face up, so it is an offer not a threat. A lot of cats won't greet anyone until they sniff who it is (unlike cats, we look very differenet day-to-day) and are very annoyed if you try to pet it before it has thoroughly sniffed you.

I have a book about cats and Asperger's Syndrome and the book says that cats are very similar to people with Asperger's Syndrome. I think you are right about this problem because all cats seem to show some symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome

Ahh, this is soo funny this was posted, my cat would most defintely be diagnosed autie, my dog probably mild aspie haha. My vet even diagnosed my older cat with a neurological disorder, because she can't eat right, like her tongue doesnt work haha, its soo weird to watch her eat! My younger cat, def an autie, but does give eye contact, to the extreme though, like stares constantly, like creepy stares, its weird. Other then that shes has every trait possible, including no balance lol, she falls walking in a straight line haha, and her whiskers are long as heck haha.

ALL CATS HAVE ASPERGERS. No exceptions.

Heres something for you, the ratio of introverts & extroverts in the animal kingdom is the same as the human one...

You can leave one dog on it's own & it will rip your house apart because it's wanting attention & you left it on it's own...

Another dog would happy stay there without ripping your house apart..

I think the book was called All Cats Have Aspergers. Good read.

My cat & I can gaze steadily into each other's eyes for hours!

Does this mean she is totally & completely unthreatened by me? (I don't do that with people, by the way!)

I read an interesting article about blinking (is that eye contact or a facial expression?). Apparently, when cats blink, they say "I like you" or "I trust you". I tried blinking at my Aspie cat and she's now more friendly towards me

Cats are awesome. I had three for ages, but they all die within 6 weeks before christmas for different reasons.

But we have 2 lil kittens now. So adorable.
Needy, attention-seeking little gits though.

But I found of my old three, one didn't mind eye contact, the other two did, even when they were curled up in your arms. Didn't leave you, just looked away a lot.

I sometimes wondered if they thought my hand was a face, as it was all they ever looked at. :p