Can Dogs Have ADHD?

In this article:

• Is there such a thing as ADHD in dogs?
• How do veterinarians diagnose ADHD-like behavior in dogs?
• How do I know if my dog’s ADHD-like behavior is a problem?
• How can I help a dog with ADHD-like behavior?

Anyone who has seen Pixar’s Up remembers Dug, the affable, speech-enabled golden retriever whose mid-conversation interjections of “Squirrel!” epitomize doggy distractibility.

Some real-life dogs may display behavior that seems like a constant stream of “squirrel” moments, full of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Seeking exciting new smells and sounds is healthy. But some pooches show an excessive tendency toward novelty-seeking and distraction.

Recent research shows that dogs can display signs similar to those exhibited by humans with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a developmental condition marked by behaviors like inattention and hyperactivity. Learning signs of ADHD-like behavior in dogs, circumstances that can exacerbate them, and ways to mitigate them can improve life for you and your best friend.

Is there such a thing as ADHD in dogs?

Like humans, dogs can experience mental health disorders. But, since dogs can’t tell us their thoughts, diagnosing these conditions requires observing their behaviors, especially ones that seem out of the ordinary and interfere with their daily happiness.

For example, like humans with obsessive-compulsive disorder, dogs can develop compulsive behaviors. However, dogs don’t receive an OCD diagnosis, because they can’t communicate their apparent obsessions to us; we can only observe their compulsive, repetitive behaviors. Thus, they can be diagnosed with canine compulsive disorder.

Likewise, dogs can display aggression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and other behaviors that closely resemble those seen in humans with ADHD—but that doesn’t mean they can receive an ADHD diagnosis.

“The term ‘ADHD’ is a human clinical diagnosis,” said Katherine Pankratz, DVM, DACVB, a veterinary behaviorist at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. However, dogs may receive a diagnosis of hypersensitivity-hyperactivity syndrome, or just hyperactivity syndrome, based on a rating scale. According to Dr. Pankratz, hyperactivity syndrome, a disorder affecting the nervous system, is the closest canine equivalent to human ADHD. 

How do veterinarians diagnose ADHD-like behavior in dogs?

Many dogs are energetic; we love that about them. And just because your dog has a lot of pep doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them. Dog owners mustn’t mistake healthy activity levels for hyperactivity, and should understand what may cause their dog to show apparently hyperactive behavior.

A 2021 study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry found that dogs who didn’t get enough exercise and enrichment were more likely to behave in ways that resemble disordered hyperactivity. In reality, some “hyper” dogs just need more stimulation. Katherine Houpt, VMD, Ph.D., a professor emeritus of behavioral medicine at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine who wasn’t involved with the study, said that over her 50-year career she’s seen “probably three total cases” of hyperactivity disorder. Many dogs with what seems like hyperactive behavior may just need more exercise.

Dr. Houpt advised dog owners who suspect disordered hyperactivity to compare their dog’s behavior on sedentary days to behavior after having gone for a five-mile walk. She also suggested enriching their life with puzzle toys, training, and doggy daycare. In general, make sure that you give your dog enough physical and mental exercise to meet their needs.

“A healthy, active dog may be energetic and playful, yet remains capable of settling down when asked, maintaining focus during training, and controlling impulses appropriately,” said Hannes Lohi, Ph.D., professor of molecular genetics at the University of Helsinki and senior author of the 2021 study. But “a hyperactive dog displays ongoing restlessness, difficulty relaxing even in calm environments, and impulsive behavior—acting before thinking—and tends to have trouble sustaining attention or following structure, even with consistent guidance.”

If you’re not sure whether your dog’s behavior is within a healthy range, veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists can help you distinguish a normal level of energy from disordered behavior. 

“A formal diagnosis of canine hyperactivity as a pathology is typically made by a veterinary behavior specialist,” said Dr. Pankratz, “after a thorough behavioral history and direct observation, and only after ruling out all other medical and primary behavioral causes.” 

Some dogs have higher physical and mental exercise needs than others, and there are breeds who’ve earned a reputation for that. Dr. Houpt names Weimaraners as dogs whose normal behavior may come off as ADHD-like to owners who have trouble giving them enough stimulation.

That said, generalizing behavior based on breed can be risky and put dog owners in danger of pigeonholing their pets. “I don’t believe in many breed-specific behaviors at all,” said Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., a cognitive ethologist and author of Dogs Demystified. “I always encourage people to learn who their individual dog is, regardless of breed.”

Along those lines, dog owners may misinterpret their dog’s healthy behavior based on their expectations. “Some owners are not satisfied with a perfect dog,” said Martá Gácsi, Ph.D., senior researcher at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and senior author on a 2025 paper in the journal Scientific Reports that developed a diagnostic tool for dogs with ADHD-like behavior. She gave the example of owners who, accustomed to their previous dog, find their new dog hyperactive by comparison, even though the new dog behaves in a perfectly healthy manner.

How do I know if my dog’s ADHD-like behavior is a problem?

A behavior only becomes a problem for a dog if it interferes with their (or their owner’s) ability to live a happy, healthy life. Understanding this line for ADHD-like behaviors can help owners decide when it’s time to call a vet.

“Functional impairment means serious behavioral problems occurring in everyday life, which are not due to young age and cannot be solved by supportive training,” said Dr. Gácsi.

According to this definition, dog owners may see functional impairment keep their dog from succeeding at everyday tasks. “Warning signs… include delayed progress in basic training despite consistent and humane methods, difficulty staying focused on tasks, and impulsive behaviors that pose safety risks, such as bolting or mouthing when excited,” said Dr. Lohi.

How can I help a dog with ADHD-like behavior?

It’s essential that dog owners not blame or punish their dog for this behavior. “A hyperactive or impulsive dog isn’t ‘bad, ‘stubborn,’ or ‘spiteful,’” Dr. Pankratz said. She warned that punishment could not only fail to address a dog’s present behavior issues, but also “fuel new problems.”

When it comes to interventions, Dr. Lohi recommended that dog owners “start by increasing their dogs’ daily exercise,” as his study found that dogs exercising less than one hour daily showed higher hyperactivity and impulsivity compared to those active for two hours or more. He added that regular training, as well as reduced time alone, also proved beneficial for dogs in the study.

In the case that behavioral and environmental interventions fail to improve a dog’s behavior, dog owners may consider discussing medication with a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist. According to Dr. Pankratz, some of the most commonly prescribed medications in dogs for what she called “big emotions” are antidepressants and stimulants. If you suspect that your dog might benefit from medication, talk to your veterinarian about what’s appropriate.

“Medication is most often considered for dogs to help assist in dialing down the intensity of unwanted emotional states in the hopes of improving their ability to more easily think instead of reacting,” Dr. Pankratz said. However, “medications in and of themselves do not ‘fix’ the problems, but provide a means for the rest of the plan (management and behavior modification) to be more effective.”

Helping a dog with hyperactivity syndrome can take time—but integrating behavioral, environmental, and medical perspectives with a vet or vet behaviorist can help you and your dog find a happy baseline. 

Unlike Dug, your dog likely cannot find the words to tell you they’re distracted. So learning how to read their signals will help you understand when they need more support. Dr. Bekoff’s advice is to watch your dog closely and get a feel for when they’re happy or uncomfortable. As he puts it: “Become fluent in dog.”