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Can other Animals be Autistic?

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IceCreamGirl
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07 Feb 2011, 7:50 pm

They probably can be, but no one notices because animals don't need communication skills as much as humans do--and also because animals don't need to "fit in" with each other, so different dogs or cats or monkeys act very different from each other.



Wallourdes
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07 Feb 2011, 8:45 pm

rabbitears wrote:
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.


I can only talk about behaviour and character in other animals then humans, but it does however seem to relate alot to human behaviour and character. I can study a cat, but I'm not a cat so I'll always be an observer to the process of other animals.


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07 Feb 2011, 10:17 pm

IceCreamGirl wrote:
They probably can be, but no one notices because animals don't need communication skills as much as humans do--and also because animals don't need to "fit in" with each other, so different dogs or cats or monkeys act very different from each other.


Partly true. Dogs were originally pack animals. They need attention. Social skills are needed to hunt. Cats are lone rangers. They do not need as much attention. They do not need social skills in order to hunt because they often live alone.



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07 Feb 2011, 10:21 pm

Nosirrom wrote:
IceCreamGirl wrote:
They probably can be, but no one notices because animals don't need communication skills as much as humans do--and also because animals don't need to "fit in" with each other, so different dogs or cats or monkeys act very different from each other.


Partly true. Dogs were originally pack animals. They need attention. Social skills are needed to hunt. Cats are lone rangers. They do not need as much attention. They do not need social skills in order to hunt because they often live alone.


lions hunt in pack's (well prides but you get my point).


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Nosirrom
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07 Feb 2011, 10:22 pm

True. I say often in bold because there are definite exceptions. My main point is that there are differences in social needs for different species of animals.



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07 Feb 2011, 10:25 pm

Feral cats will form colonies and socialize. They're actually really social. Cats are terrible about change, though, so if you have a cat and introduce more cats, there's a good chance they will not mesh well.

I've found it's usually better two get two kittens at once than one alone. They socialize and play with each other which makes them less clingy and dependent on you for attention and play - not that attention and play is bad, but I think overall it's healthier for them to have a peer as a playmate.



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07 Feb 2011, 10:28 pm

Verdandi wrote:
Feral cats will form colonies and socialize. They're actually really social. Cats are terrible about change, though, so if you have a cat and introduce more cats, there's a good chance they will not mesh well.

I've found it's usually better two get two kittens at once than one alone. They socialize and play with each other which makes them less clingy and dependent on you for attention and play - not that attention and play is bad, but I think overall it's healthier for them to have a peer as a playmate.


interesting parallels there


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Nosirrom
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07 Feb 2011, 10:44 pm

That is interesting. I never knew that about Feral cats.



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07 Feb 2011, 11:48 pm

It's interesting how much cultural currency is invested in housecats being loners, aloof, prideful, etc. It's all very anthropomorphic, but they really do their own thing. They can be loners, but they form social groups. They're not really aloof and dignified, but that's a way humans might interpret their body language. They're pretty unself-conscious in human terms if you watch them on their terms. I mean, yes, they'll groom themselves and look prim (although I do not think prim has any meaning to them), but they'll also roll around with their toys and race around the house at high speed because it's fun, and is not even dignified in human terms.

They have layers that get tend brushed aside when they're anthropomorphized, and also when they're dismissed as being incapable of self-awareness. Neither extreme serves them well at all, nor is it consistent with how they behave - not that I'm saying you were doing that. It's just a thing I can start soapboxing on forever.



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08 Feb 2011, 12:57 am

I am perfectly fine with you saying these things. As long as you don't start attacking me personally. That is one thing I hate about NT discussion. They always attack you personally and not your ideas.

That said, very interesting facts about these cats.



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08 Feb 2011, 3:46 am

Nosirrom wrote:
I am perfectly fine with you saying these things. As long as you don't start attacking me personally. That is one thing I hate about NT discussion. They always attack you personally and not your ideas.


I know, right? I can't stand it.

None of that was aimed at you, I was in fact thinking of NTs who had attacked me for saying things like this. I didn't think you were anthropomorphizing or annoyed. :)

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That said, very interesting facts about these cats.


Glad this is interesting. Thank you.



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08 Feb 2011, 9:43 am

You are welcome and thank you. I strongly enjoy this online community.



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08 Feb 2011, 10:14 am

Verdandi wrote:
It's interesting how much cultural currency is invested in housecats being loners, aloof, prideful, etc. It's all very anthropomorphic, but they really do their own thing. They can be loners, but they form social groups. They're not really aloof and dignified, but that's a way humans might interpret their body language. They're pretty unself-conscious in human terms if you watch them on their terms. I mean, yes, they'll groom themselves and look prim (although I do not think prim has any meaning to them), but they'll also roll around with their toys and race around the house at high speed because it's fun, and is not even dignified in human terms.

They have layers that get tend brushed aside when they're anthropomorphized, and also when they're dismissed as being incapable of self-awareness. Neither extreme serves them well at all, nor is it consistent with how they behave - not that I'm saying you were doing that. It's just a thing I can start soapboxing on forever.


I've owned lots of cats, and never really got their reputation for being aloof and loners. I mean sure, they're not like dogs and are much more independent, but most of the cats I've owned have always been very into their owner's business and what's going on around them. We have four cats who always sit on us when we watch TV at night, and they'll all come when they're called to say hi and play. I guess people are comparing them to dogs when they get the aloofness or Asperger's traits. I really see very few aspie traits in cats.



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08 Feb 2011, 10:19 am

kx250rider wrote:
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


That was probably a result of how he was raised and socialised as a puppy, not something he was born with though. Most dogs who are fearful of people or things weren't socialised properly when they were pups.

Dogs do often growl when they are playing, so it's not unusual to see a dog growl and wag his tail at the same time. My dog always growls when he's looking for a playmate.



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08 Feb 2011, 12:30 pm

doeintheheadlights wrote:
I've owned lots of cats, and never really got their reputation for being aloof and loners. I mean sure, they're not like dogs and are much more independent, but most of the cats I've owned have always been very into their owner's business and what's going on around them. We have four cats who always sit on us when we watch TV at night, and they'll all come when they're called to say hi and play. I guess people are comparing them to dogs when they get the aloofness or Asperger's traits. I really see very few aspie traits in cats.


Yes, indeed. In fact, I have always found cats to be very appreciative of attention, even demanding of attention. The difference between a cat and a dog is that a cat wants attention on its terms, but a dog is constantly begging for attention. I think that people confuse independence with aloofness. To me, personally, a dog who is constantly wanting attention, even from strangers seems more needy than affectionate. It's pretty clear that if I was not available, the dog would quite happily accept any random individual as a replacement for me.


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08 Feb 2011, 12:43 pm

You can make a rat model of autism by injecting a pregnant rat with valproic acid. Therefore, it is possible to have autistic animals.
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