Animal scientist suggests there is growing evidence that indicates dogs can have autism

Your dog could be autistic.

According to Dr. Jacqueline Boyd, an animal scientist at Nottingham Trent University, there is growing evidence that indicates pooches can have the same kinds of brain differences seen in autistic and ADHD humans.

She explained: “Some dogs might be very much like the neurotypical human, whereas other dogs might be more neurodivergent and be more like someone with autism or ADHD.”

At present, vets lump these behaviours under the catch-all label Canine Dysfunctional Behaviour (CDB), because diagnosing a human condition in an animal that can’t speak “is a really difficult thing,” Dr. Boyd admitted.

However, she said research is now forcing scientists to take seriously the idea that animals “experience the world differently because of diversity in how their brai