Can dogs have ADHD?

A few days ago, as Stola bounced from one impulsive behavior to another–ripping the couch, chasing the cat, jumping on everyone, nipping, repeat 100 times–I muttered to John, “Is there any chance they make stimulants for dogs?”

And then I wondered: Can dogs even have ADHD?

So, of course, I dug into the question and in this article, I’ll break down some key definitions, look at considerations, and discuss the inherent problems with the existing research. But, before we dig in, two notes:

1. Do not give your dog stimulants. If you or your kid takes ADHD meds, don’t give them to your dog. Ever. Consult with your vet for a diagnosis and plan.
2. I am not a vet. This post is for informational purposes only.

So, let’s dig into the big question: Do dogs get ADHD?

First, some definitions:

Before we get into the nitty-gritty about ADHD, it’s important to remember that ADHD is simply one neurotype, and there are many, many neurotypes. So, three things we need to understand before we dig into our dogs’ neurotypes:

• Neurotype: Everyone has a specific neurotype. It’s the way your individual brain processes information, sensory input, and communication. Neurotypes exist on a spectrum. On one end is what is considered “neurotypical,” which simply means that it’s a brain with typical neurological development and the ability to align with societal and cultural expectations. The rest of the spectrum is what’s considered “neurodivergent,” which just means anything different from that neurotypical brain. Nearly everyone falls outside the typical range, some more than others.
• Neurodiversity: Simply put, this means the huge spectrum of different brains. It encompasses all the ways each unique brain interacts with, understands, processes, and learns about the world. No two brains (human or canine!) operate in the exact same way.
• ADHD: “ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means it shapes how the brain develops and functions. It affects the parts of the brain responsible for executive function: the ability to plan, organize, and carry out tasks. This includes being able to maintain focus and attention and being able to manage impulses and emotions.” sourceADHD is a distinct neurotype with symptoms that impact daily life, and while many of those symptoms are the same in people with this neurotypes, no two ADHDers are alike.
• Autistm: Another neurotypes. “Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.” source 

Why am I including autism in this discussion? Many signs of ADHD and ASD overlap. Many co-occur. In humans, sometimes it’s tough to pull the threads to determine which condition (or both) a person has. I imagine the same would be true with our dogs, even though their frontal lobes are smaller relative to their brain size compared to humans. So, I think it’s important to not only ask about ADHD but also ASD.

Your neurotype–and your dog’s neurotype–is unique to you. Even if you’re a neurotypical person, you still have learning differences or sensory differences from other neurotypical people.

Maybe the bigger question should be: Are dogs neurodivergent? So…

Can dogs be neurodivergent?

Neurodiversity has been considered part of the human condition, rarely (never?) considered for our animal friends. But do you think all dogs have the same brain?

Of course not.

In fact, I’d argue that it’s pretty audacious to even imply that all dogs’ brains work the same. It stands to reason, then, that no two dogs have the same neurotype.

In our human landscape, neuro-affirming policies and accommodations are becoming more accessible. Think: noise-cancelling headphones, medication, fidgets, different types of chairs, quiet spaces in public areas, occupational therapy, and so on. I wish these accommodations were more widely accepted or understood, but we are making forward progress.

(Quick aside to anyone who thinks none of this applies to them: I don’t think I’ve ever met a single person who doesn’t have texture preferences with food. Or type of socks. Or overhead versus table lamp. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who doesn’t have a strength for learning via listening over reading or vice versa. There are so many facets and so many sensory systems that most of us never learned about that I sincerely doubt anyone can honestly come into the comments and say, “NOT ME.”)

If you’ve loved multiple dogs, you know intuitively that none of them think the same or process their environment the same. Even if you adopt your dogs at the same time, even if they’re from the same litter, they will have different brains with unique operations. While we can’t give them assessments, we can observe their behavior and their interactions with the environment and draw conclusions.

The conclusion that I’ve drawn is that, yes, there is neurodiversity within the canine kingdom.

To me that seems obvious, but I have spent the last almost decade learning about this stuff through the human members of my family, so I do not take it for granted that this isn’t obvious to everyone. All brains are good brains, and all brains are different.

What do the studies show?

These big questions always have to come back to the research.

What does the data show about dogs and neurodiversity?

One study showed that dogs who have anxiety have measurable differences in their brains compared to non-anxious dogs.

Another study showed a potential genetic connection to autism in beagles: “For example, some beagle dogs have a mutation in a gene called Shank3, which is linked with autism in humans and often characterised by difficulties in social interactions. Beagles with the Shank3 mutation also exhibit low desire to interact with people. It turns out that they have reduced cell to cell signalling in regions of the brain linked with attention.” source

There are dozens of other studies that show analogous behaviors, genetic markers, and more–but no comprehensive or conclusive study to create a diagnostic path for ADHD, autism, or similar. And, it’s important to remember that our pet dogs might have life experiences like abuse or neglect that contribute to behaviors that could also be attributed to a non-typical neurotype. Just like humans.

So, can dogs have ADHD?

Recently studies on the neuroscience of dogs do show that, yes, there is neurodiversity among our pups (I mean, to no one’s shock, really…), but we’re far from diagnosing our pups with ADHD or autism. It’s worth a quick note that, while veterinary behaviorists can diagnose true clinical hyperactivity (called hyperkinesis), it’s incredibly rare.

Regardless.

No two brains are the same. We know this. Rather than focusing on a diagnosis, the bigger, more important question should be: How can we be neuro-affirming for our dogs? (This applies to humans, too. The world needs to affirm more diversity. This could be an entirely other post…) Where to start:

1. First, rule out any medical issues. Always start with the vet and a comprehensive exam.
2. Then, consider behavioral challenges like boredom and under-stimulation. (A few tips on this at the bottom of this post).
3. Finally, address environmental factors that can accommodate your dog’s specific needs.

Does it matter if dogs are autistic or if dogs have ADHD?

Not really, not if we can figure out our own pet dog’s sensory needs, anxiety profile, exercise requirements, and more–all to help our dogs be happier and healthier overall. Whether Stola actually needs a doggy stimulant or just a better sensory outlet, what matters is figuring out what our pets need and finding ways to deliver on that. For our kids and our human friends and family, we find ways to provide the things they need, whether it’s fidgets or low lighting or less food dye or sensory breaks or exercise. We owe our dogs the same, in my opinion!

If you have a dog who struggles to stay regulated, here are a few of my favorite sensory and engagement tools and resources that help keep a busy brain (like Stola’s!) focused:

• These are the absolute best for playing sniffing games or active fun like weaves and jumps.
• A touch stick really helps keep a dog focused in all kinds of contexts.
• This post from back during the social distancing days links to resources with more than 30 ideas to keep your dog from being bored.
• For the over-stimulated dog, window cling to block distractions.
• For the under-stimulated dog, an automatic bouncing and rolling ball. I do not have this… yet. It is at the TOP of my Stola wish list!

So, what do you think? Have you considered this before, perhaps if you have a dog who seems to be wired a little differently? Or, if you’ve never thought about neurodiversity with your dog, has this sparked any thoughts, ideas, or questions? Please share in the comments–I’d love to learn from you!

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll LOVE my book For the Love of Dog, available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or anywhere you prefer to buy books!