Vets Confirm Dogs Can Suffer From Human-Like ADHD Symptoms

A frantic pup zooming around your living room might not just be energetic. Vets say this hyperactive pooch could be suffering from a condition remarkably similar to human ADHD. While doctors don't formally diagnose canines with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, experts agree they get hyperactive in the exact same way people do. Instead of using that specific label, clinicians describe these issues as hyperactivity, hyperkinesis, or impulsivity. Dr Guy Sandelowsky, founder of OMNI Pet Limited, explains this simply: your dog displays behaviors that look remarkably similar to some of the features associated with ADHD in people.

Researchers point out that dogs showing these signs often struggle with maintaining attention and control their impulses poorly. A study conducted in 2024 revealed how these issues manifest. You might see compulsive behavior, aggression, inappropriate elimination, fearfulness, or eating non-food objects. Frustrated owners on social media have started blaming their pets' disposition directly on ADHD. But Dr Sandelowsky warns that a lot of completely normal dog behaviour can also be mistaken for a disorder.

Dogs cannot literally carry the diagnosis reserved for humans. Yet research shows they suffer from an extremely similar condition sharing many symptoms. One 2024 study linked this behavior to disruptions in the brain's dopamine and serotonin systems, just as happens in people with ADHD. Even more strikingly, dogs with these symptoms respond to the same medications typically used to treat humans. Some scientists suggest these animals could serve as models for studying the human condition.

The three main signs remain hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. However, the presentation differs from humans. Hyperactive dogs often leave a place they have been commanded to stay. They fidget constantly, play excessively, run wild, and are jumpy on walks where they are hard to hold back. These pups also struggle with learning tricks because they get distracted easily, leaving owners unable to keep their attention focused. Beyond these human-like traits, affected dogs are more likely to be fearful or aggressive and engage in compulsive acts.

Genetics and environment combine to drive these symptoms. Certain breeds appear far more predisposed to developing ADHD-like conditions. Cairn Terriers, Jack Russells, German Shepherds, Bull Terriers, Smooth Collies, and Border Collies top the list for high risk. Conversely, studies found the Chinese Crested Dog, Rough Collie, and Chihuahua scored lowest on ADHD metrics. Younger dogs tend to show these symptoms more often, as do males. Animals that spend more time home alone also fare worse.

On TikTok, one dog owner complained their pet had been running laps, barking at thin air, and chewing its own tail. The caption asked a simple question: Do dogs get ADHD? Dozens of owners have picked up similar traits in their own pets, claiming they must suffer from the disorder.

Because mine is giving textbook symptoms,' one owner claims after sharing footage of their pup struggling to focus. This isn't an isolated incident. Another person posted a clip of their pet ignoring every call they made, captioning the video with a desperate plea: 'I swear my dog has ADHD.' The internet seems flooded with these stories right now.

However, Dr Sandelowsky steps in to warn against trying to diagnose your dog from a TikTok checklist. He is quick to point out that owners shouldn't assume an energetic or easily distracted animal automatically suffers from a medical condition. Boredom, insufficient exercise, anxiety, frustration and lack of appropriate mental stimulation can all result in behaviours that look superficially similar to clinical issues.

Before jumping to the conclusion that your dog has a medical condition, it's important to check that all of its needs are being properly met. That includes adequate sleep, exercise, enrichment, training, as well as ensuring a healthy, calm environment to manage their emotional state. But if your dog still appears hyperactive and inattentive after all that, it still isn't necessarily a sign that there's something medically wrong with them.

Puppies and adolescent dogs naturally tend to be more energetic, impulsive and distractible according to the doctor. Some breeds appear to be far more predisposed to developing ADHD-like conditions, with Cairn Terriers, Jack Russells, German Shepherds, Bull Terriers, Smooth Collies, and Border Collies topping the list. 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.

So what happens if the behavior persists? If it remains extreme or starts affecting your dog's welfare, the best thing to do is seek advice from a vet. Dr Sandelowsky notes that 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.