Vet Dr Guy Sandelowsky, co-founder of OMNI and known as The Dog Doctor, has shared the signs that could point to ADHD in dogs, and why hyperactive behaviour may simply come down to training or environment.
The conversation around ADHD has been reignited by Channel 4's recent broadcast of The Great ADHD Myth?, and dog owners have taken to social media to ask whether their pets could have the condition.
Can dogs actually have ADHD?
"Dogs can display behaviours that look remarkably similar to some of the features associated with ADHD in people, including hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty maintaining attention," said Dr Sandelowsky.
"In veterinary behavioural medicine, we would generally talk about hyperactivity, hyperkinesis or impulsivity rather than diagnosing a dog with human ADHD. That said, owners shouldn't assume that a very energetic or easily distracted dog has a medical condition."
What are the signs?
The expert said: "Things owners might notice include an unusual inability to settle, constant activity, very short attention span, excessive excitability, impulsive behaviour and difficulty concentrating even in relatively calm environments."
"The key word is unusual. A young Labrador getting wildly excited when someone comes through the door is very different from a dog that seems almost incapable of settling or regulating its behaviour throughout everyday life."
ADHD or just an energetic dog?
Dr Sandelowsky says that a lot of completely normal dog behaviour can also be mistaken for a disorder.
"Boredom, insufficient exercise, anxiety, frustration and lack of appropriate mental stimulation can all result in behaviours that look superficially similar," commented the vet.
"Before attaching a label to the dog, we need to look at exercise, enrichment, sleep, training, environment and emotional state."
Age and breed may also be contributing factors. Dr Sandelowsky adds: "Puppies and adolescent dogs naturally tend to be more energetic, impulsive and distractible. That doesn't mean certain breeds 'have ADHD'."
"It means we have to judge behaviour in the context of what is normal for that individual dog, its age and its breed."
What should owners do?
The vet said he wouldn't recommend trying to diagnose your dog from a TikTok checklist.
"If the behaviour is persistent, extreme or affecting the dog's welfare or the owner's ability to manage them, speak to your vet," he said.
"One of the most useful things owners can do beforehand is take videos and keep a short behaviour diary. Record when the behaviour happens, what happened immediately beforehand, how much exercise and sleep the dog has had, and how long it takes them to settle."
