Can other Animals be Autistic?

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This is just the sort of question I often think when I see my cat. I don't see why it isn't possible, maybe people just can't (or don't) detect it, as they might think that animals are just animals and that's it. Maybe every syndrome and disorder that humans know of can affect other animals aswell. I think it's likely, especially having met some very strange animals, but who knows for sure?

In groups of social animals you do get a lower ranking member who is very reserved or gets bullied a lot. But I don't know if they can get full blown autism, I kind of doubt it.

What *skills* would they be lacking?

Animals don't need good communication skills. IDK, Maybe some don't fit in with the *herd* but how could you really call that autism?

Animals with deficits in fine motor skills and occasional clumsiness? o.O

I can see an animal being a *loner*, I suppose, but they don't posses a group of skills that would require them o be labeled autistic, if they lacked what their peers had. I have heard of dogs having autistic/obsessive tendencies but It's not like it's DSM criteria autism.

I suppose they couldn't be called 'autistic' really, but I do think that other animals must have various neurological differences and deficits that we just don't pick up on.

Cats are Autistic dogs

Meow!

I dunno. Are animals normally better in social situations than me?

From what I know, rats can be autistic. :O)

Maybe only in higher primates. Never heard of an investigation though.

Never heard of it. Probably because it is difficult to detect. The shuffling in genetics points that it should be possible.

The Japanese Akita (dog) is probably one of the least social dogs there is. This is why I want one.
Weird thing is I've loved these dogs since my childhood but never knew they were so aloof.
It's said after they mature they stop wanting to play, they are very wary of strangers and if not socialised early in age with other dogs could attack other animals.
Oh it's true love.


I've also had a cat that seemed very autistic. Never made eye contact, hated being held and would stare around at things for hours.
My current cat is the opposite. I think she has William's syndrome. Overly affectionate and constantly wanting to sit in laps.
My other cat Ari too seems a bit autistic but like most cats. He's asocial, only really trusts me. He hates my other cat. Each cat has their own routine.

Autism appears to have a genetic / physical basis, so many animals should be able to have some form of autism. The characteristics would be very species-specific, though, so would look different from human autism.

With all kidding aside, I think other species can have autism. One of our dogs; a chihuahua, shows very strong signs. He screams if you touch him when it's not his idea, and he seems hypersensitive to all senses. He growls when he's happy, and is very non-aggressive (you couldn't get him to bite no matter what). He just growls for no reason, and wags his tail at the same time (body language all SNAFU'd). He's perfectly healthy, and we're very experienced and loving dog owners. So there's nothing weird going on and causing it.

Charles