Can Cats Have ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a mental issue. The scariest part is your cat can also have ADHD. In fact, around 10% of house felines can have this issue. 

A feline can be diagnosed with ADHD if she cannot seem to calm down for more than 2 hours. Hence, if you find any symptoms then seek treatment for your feline so that things can get better. 

If your cat shows signs like hyperactivity, stealing, purring, excessive grooming, and aggression then it is safe to say that there is something problematic going on in her head. Also, she will need some kind of treatment.

Symptoms of ADHD in cats?

Your feline Chooses When To Snuggle

Usually, felines with ADHD have problems focusing and relaxing, so in case you try to force them, they’ll possibly combat you off and run away. However, if you are sitting on the sofa relaxing, they’ll probably come and join you for a few cuddles.

The Feline Is Older But Has The Energy Of A Kitty

All kitties are little furballs of excessive energy. However eventually, we see this energy grow to be diluted as they grow up. Typically most senior felines become pretty lazy and like laying in the sun over strolling across the house.

If you have a senior feline that also behaves like a kitten, they’ll have ADHD. Hyperactivity isn’t something that goes away with age, so they’ll still be searching out methods to stay stimulated.

Rapid Mood Swings

Mood swings are common among people with ADHD, that is why we can perceive it as a trait within felines with ADHD. The mood swings come on rapidly and without warning.

One second you may be lightly petting your feline, simply paying attention to their purr, and in an instant, they may be attacking your hand and growling at you.

Addictive Personality

Felines with ADHD generally tend to have a greater addictive personality, and they may be this way too. Please take note of the treats your feline eats or their food. If you change the flavors or brands, do they consume the same?

Do they walk away from it? Do they appear more excited to consume certain flavors? They can develop, or have already developed, an addiction to a certain taste or brand.

For the most part, this isn’t dangerous so long as the issue they are addicted to is healthy for them. Of course, make certain to still give them meals in moderation. Giving in to their addiction could mean plumping them up to more than you plan to.

Impulsivity 

This is another trait visible in human beings with ADHD, the tendency to be impulsive. This additionally allows providing an explanation for why mood swings can also additionally come on quickly or why your feline is so choosy about when to snuggle.

You may note that your feline quickly moves on from activity to activity. Maybe you’re playing together with a feather toy, and your feline is completely focused on you, however, in the blink of an eye, they may be unexpectedly shifting towards their meal bowl for a snack. If you note this regularly happening with your feline, they’ll have ADHD.

Sleeping All Day

This is one of the trickier traits to perceive. As a species, felines are quite widely recognized for being lazy and sleeping often. Take note of your feline’s sleeping behavior and routine to discover if it is a signal of ADHD correctly.

If you discover that they may be hyperactive at night and probably keep you up from all of their activity, then they’ll have ADHD. After walking around all night time, they need the daylight to seize up on sleep.

It is harder for them to relax due to the fact they genuinely need to exhaust themselves earlier than relaxing sufficiently to get a little sleep.

You See Your Feline Hyperfocusing

If your feline has ADHD, it takes a number of extra attempts for them to focus on something. You can also note this when you play with them if it looks as if they’re running difficult to focus on the toy you’re playing with.

Or perhaps they do this with their food whilst they’re ingesting it as well. Because their brains need a number of extra stimuli, looking to focus on one thing means looking to block out all the stuff they’re typically paying interest to.

Your Feline Loves The Outdoors

The outdoors is a brilliant region with a number of stimuli for a feline with ADHD. Their primal instincts get activated as they watch diverse small rodents, bugs, and birds run around.

Giving them a while outside might be an excellent way to assist tire them out so that you can both sleep well at night. A couple of hours of going for walks across the backyard chasing things is the type of stimulus they’re constantly searching for.

Even in case, you do not like taking your feline outside, giving them an area by a big window remains an excellent source of leisure for them. Some felines can also additionally even prefer that.

Lacks Self Awareness

Felines, in general, are quite intelligent, this means that they’re alternatively self-aware. We all joke approximately how felines act like royalty in their households. However, maximum felines still realize when to back down.

Felines with ADHD now no longer have this sort of self-awareness. You may locate your feline relentlessly begging you for meals or a treat. Even after you give this to them, they’ll still be begging for it, which speaks to their addictive personalities.

Not Listening 

Does your feline appear to be acting particularly defiant? Maybe it seems like they’re never paying attention to you? While most felines do not examine tricks that require responses as canines do, they nonetheless respond to their proprietors in their ways.

Your cat may have ADHD if it seems like they’re never paying attention to you. They can be too overstimulated and looking to focus on too much stuff at once to listen to you exactly.

How to treat cats that have ADHD

  • Bring back the playtime in the routine. Your feline needs to release energy build-up, and the best and most natural manner might be to have it play at some point during dome hours of the daytime. Catching a ball and chasing may be an amazing start.
  • Even though felines generally are not problematic staying indoors, it is right to go out with your feline to provide it an environment aside from domestic. This change in the area can also additionally assist the feline release stress.
  • Keeping felines is an activity of its own, and these animals require their due time. If you’re busy with work and are not able to spend time with your feline after coming home as well, it’s far recommended to take the feline away due to the fact lack of interest can disturb it mentally.

What not to do if your cat has ADHD?

In a few situations, your feline would possibly get out of hand with the symptoms it exhibits. The scratching, hissing, growling, and nocturnal behaviors may make you start to dislike your feline.

However, endurance is key, and also you must in no way indulge in the following because they could only make things worse for you.

  • No drug treatments must be given to felines to deal with ADHD. It may be injurious and deadly for a feline. The nervous system of felines may significantly meddle if given mental medication.
  • Do not punish your feline for the bizarre behaviors it depicts. This could probably increase aggression in your feline and harm your bond with it as well.
  • Do not restrict the feline`s energy spurs. If you notice your feline walking and leaping for a while, allow it. It can be better if it releases its energy rather than preserving it.
  • If your feline’s circumstance gets out of hand and makes you miserable, the best way is to consult a vet immediately.

Final words

Consult your vet if you are worried about your feline’s excess energy levels. In most cases, cats will be very energetic and they may have ADHD.

In senior felines, they may develop hyperthyroidism that causes unpredictable energy levels. The thyroid controls the energy levels. Hence, this is something important that you must check with the help of a professional. 

If your feline has good health, then make sure to keep her well-fed. Also, give her a lot of exercise and attention. Allow your feline the space to be comfortable. 

I hope you enjoyed the article. We will be back soon. Till then, stay connected. Thank you. 

Frequently asked questions

What is ADHD in cats?

ADHD is depicted by a short attention span, rapid mood swings, and time period of a cat sleeping. Felines can easily have ADHD. In some cases, this can be more serious and in others, it is easily curable. 

Can you treat a cat with ADHD?

ADHD in cats is treatable. Usually, felines that show symptoms of ADHD medications will need to stay in a vet hospital. This period depends on the recovery rate and speed of your feline. 

What causes hyperactivity in cats?

With senior cats, the common physical reason for hyperactivity is hyperthyroidism. Felines with hyperthyroidism have highly active thyroid glands. This thyroid gland is the control mechanism for energy levels.