can cats have adhd

Cats cannot be clinically diagnosed with ADHD because attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder is not a recognized condition in cats by veterinary medicine. However, cats may show some behaviors that resemble ADHD symptoms in humans, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, short attention span, and restlessness. These behaviors are often normal for cats, especially kittens, and can be attributed to natural feline instincts, personality, and other health or environmental factors rather than a true neurodevelopmental disorder like ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD in cats is difficult and lacks scientific consensus, as the condition is specific to humans and there are no medical tests for it in animals. If a cat exhibits unusual hyperactive behaviors, rule out medical causes first and consider consulting a veterinary behaviorist for a thorough assessment.