Autism is a neurological disorder that can affect people of all age groups, and it is often associated with children. However, many people may not know that dogs can also be autistic. Autism in dogs can have the same symptoms as autism in humans, such as repetitive behaviors or lack of social skills. In this article we will discuss if dogs can be autistic and what causes it so you can better understand your pup’s behavior!
What Is Autism?
Autism is a condition that can impact people of all ages, and it is often associated with children. However, many people may not be aware that dogs can also have autism. Some symptoms for both humans and pups include repetitive behaviors or lack of social skills.
Dogs can also behave in similar ways, but when a veterinarian sees these behaviors this is called “canine dysfunctional behavior” instead of autism.
What Causes Autism In Dogs?
Autism in dogs, or canine dysfunctional behavior, is typically caused by a lack of proper socialization. In other words, pups can have an incident that causes them to stop interacting with others in their environment. This can happen when the pup goes through something traumatizing like being abandoned or abused. It also can be passed on from genetics which means it may run in your family.
Some dogs will react better than others depending on personality traits and whether they’re more comfortable around humans or not so if you notice any symptoms look out for these two things as well!
The exact cause of autism in dogs is unknown or impossible to prove because the condition can have a wide variety of different symptoms.
How Is Autism Diagnosed In Dogs?
A vet will usually diagnose a pup with autism by observing the dog’s behavior. It can be difficult to tell what is normal and abnormal, but here are some signs that may lead someone to suspect their dog has autism:
– spending less time interacting or playing with other dogs in their environment, instead preferring isolation;
– difficulty adjusting to new environments such as going for walks or exploring outside;
– avoiding social situations like meeting people they don’t know well (this isn’t ableist!);
– responding more fearfully than usual when encountering things which scare them. This might happen if something scares them and then it happens again later on down the line so your pup gets used to reacting this way.
What Are The Symptoms of Autism In Dogs?
There are many different symptoms for autism in dogs. The symptoms can be broken into two different categories – behavioral symptoms and physical signs/symptoms. The first category includes behaviors that can impact quality of how they interact with humans or other dogs. These behaviors can include:
-Anxiety or fearfulness
-Inability to play with other dogs and people
-Excessive licking, chewing, or spinning in circles; compulsive tail chasing
-Lack of social awareness which can lead them being more focused on themselves than what’s happening around them. This could be a sign they don’t know how to read the signals from others that are telling your dog something else is interesting, such as another person or animal coming into view. It could also mean your pup doesn’t understand when you’re trying to get their attention because they’ve become so concentrated on one thing. Either way this means it might take longer for your pooch to react since they have less sense of awareness.
The physical symptoms of autism in dogs can also show up in the form of repetitive and obsessive behaviors, meaning your pup might always need to be on their own, or do things like spinning around in circles.
Other symptoms include a lack of response when you call them over for dinner time or that they can’t understand simple instructions given by voice such as “sit.” They could also not respond at all even if they’re close enough for you to touch – this is because dogs don’t usually associate someone who’s touching them with giving out commands.
In short: any dog behavior which entails repetition without variation may warrant further investigation into autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Tips For Managing Autism In Dogs
If you have a dog that has autism then it is important to be patient with them. They can’t understand when they are doing something wrong so you have to help them through it.
Try not to put too much pressure on your dog, because this will only make them worry and stress out more about what is happening around them which could lead to aggression or worse behaviors.
If possible try using a veterinary behaviorist if you notice some of these signs in your dog: trouble focusing on people or objects; compulsive licking of themselves, furniture, floors, other dogs/animals; inability to sleep (or sleeping all the time); obsessive barking; attacking their own feet – especially during grooming sessions.
How Is Autism Treated For Dogs
Autism in dogs is treated with the same behavioral and environmental modifications as humans.
The use of medications is not recommended at this time, but may be prescribed by a vet depending on your dog’s specific needs.
First-line treatments include: medication for anxiety; training to reduce the frequency/intensity of their behaviors such as licking or barking; enrichment activities that stimulate their senses (such as soothing music); socialization with other animals and people in safe environments.
If you are concerned about autism in your dog please consult with an animal behaviorist or veterinarian to discuss treatment options based on your individual pet’s needs.
