The short answer to can cats be autistic is no. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complicated disorder with symptoms that range from mild to severe, depending on the individual.
The symptoms are also not very stable as they can change from person to person. There is a typical list of signs that most people learn from TV shows and movies.
Some of these base signs of autism can be confused with normal cat behavior, leading people to wonder if their cat is autistic or just being a cat.
Behaviorists have studied cats’ personalities, and there are some cats who don’t like social interaction and people, but it doesn’t mean they don’t like you.
If your cat is constantly meowing or chirping at you, it doesn’t mean they’re autistic. The same goes for if your cat doesn’t purr or make much noise at all.
Some cat breeds are more intelligent than others, and some cats can easily pick up behaviors from humans. Such as opening doors.
Cats love moving objects and lights. There’s a reason pet stores sell laser light toys for them. This is not a sign of autism. It’s actually their predatory instinct coming out.
Cats can also show these signs. But it is not a sign of autism. Instead, you might want to take your furry friend to a vet, as they could be experiencing health issues.
If you notice your cat obsesses over the same toy or only eats a specific food, it’s not because they’re autistic. Cats also have preferences, just like humans.