Can dogs be mentally challenged?

According to Pet Medicine Alberta, dogs can suffer from mental illness which sometimes manifests as the canine equivalent of autism. Symptoms can display as early as 5 an animal companion for a depressed pet. Above all, patience and consideration by the owner are recommended for a mentally ill or "retarded" dog. read more

The most common causes of mental retardation are genetic (in-breeding), disease or injury. Depression, autism, separation anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder are all mental illness conditions that can be misdiagnosed by an uneducated pet owner. read more

On the dog front, you have to distinguish between "human challenged" and "canine challenged." Many dogs are oblivious to human concerns, but are excellently intelligent when it comes to canine concerns. These are not "challenged" dogs. A mentally challenged dog can't do doggie things well. read more

Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions and can include various disorders that affect mood, behavior and thinking. Some are a result of a genetic disorder, while other can occur after a brain injury. read more