I've had my cat since she was 2 months old. She's 6 now, and her entire life she's acted like a kitten. She meows like one, she does really dopey things that I dont see other cats doing. I think shes got some mental issues....is it possible for an animal to be retarded?
2007-01-05 01:16:06 · 11 answers · asked by Dani 7 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Now dont get me wrong..I love the fact that shes still like a big kitten. I think it makes her adorable. I was just wondering if something was wrong with her..but shes healthy in every other manner..she knows how to use her litter box (even though she doesnt know to bury her stuff when shes done) and other than getting stuck on high furniture and not being able to get back down (almost daily)..she's otherwise okay..just....not overly bright
2007-01-05 01:29:19 · update #1
Yes, especially those who have had a lack of oxygen during birth or maltreated/disease at a yound age.
However like humans I think there are just some animals that are more immature and naive than others.
Then again maybe she is just young at heart :)
2007-01-05 01:23:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup. A few years ago someone brought me a 7 day old kitten that was found abandoned at a construction site in the blazing July heat. It was very dehydrated and weak. I bottle fed it, and it survived, but there is something very, very wrong with it. I don't know for sure if it was a birth defect, and the mother abandoned it intentionally, or if the damage was caused by the heatstroke and dehydration. Either way, when the kitten was 8 weeks old, we continually had to show him where his food, water, and cat box were- he could not remember or find them on his own. He sits and stares into space- not watching dust or spots on the wall, just literally stares into space for a good 10 minutes. He also has screaming fits randomly. He is definitely impaired in some way. Bad breeding and inbreeding also causes noticeably less intelligent animals- this is why people who buy from pet stores often have major training issues.
2016-05-23 05:42:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible for an animal to be mentally retarded. They can be born genetically defective or have birth injuries just like humans.
However, as long as the cat has a good life and you enjoy her, what the heck? I've seen some fairly bright cats that act like kittens or goofy but aren't stupid because they're whiz bang efficient at figuring out how to get into stuff that's been put away from them, so it might be behavioral. I like the kitten stage of cathood best of all, so to my mind if your cat is six and still kittenish you've lucked out.
2007-01-05 01:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by Redneck Crow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is, I have a year old bird that got knocked in the head by his mum and cracked his skull. he's half the size of his siblings and still has to be fed baby bird food through a syringe, and a cat that was born with the umbilical cord around his neck. he suffered a lack of oxigen and is very odd. He crys if i'm not within sight and if he leaves my side to go to eat or what-not he forgets where I am and I have to go and find him. your cat seem's like a real doll, don't worry about if she is a little dopey. just give her alot of love.
2007-01-05 01:53:34 · answer #4 · answered by Midnytecat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I'm sure it is.
I have a dog called coco pops who is a bit simple well i say a bit shes constantly falling over she cant walk in public places cos finds it to much to deal with!
She dribbles all day and has been to the vets for jabs etc and there she ended up behind the desk in reception and wouldn't move.
But whatever shes very muched love by the family and i wouldn't change her for the world!
2007-01-05 02:17:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so because we have a retarded cat too. He acts like hes high or something and i think he really does have a mental problem.
2007-01-05 03:17:43 · answer #6 · answered by sarah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is possible for an animal to be mentally retarded - cats included. see the link below on documented accounts of some pet owners, etc.
2007-01-05 01:32:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.. My sisters cat is.. It is evil.. Nice cute cat but the most frightening thing you have ever met.. No dog will go near it for a second time
2007-01-05 01:26:04 · answer #8 · answered by Simon A Mechanic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she's unique, that's all. And the answer is yes, it is possible for animal to be mentally retarded. I have this brother who is really a pig and he surely is mentally retarded.
2007-01-05 01:24:08 · answer #9 · answered by alexis christian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they can be genetically inclined to be less intelligent than others of their species, but if they know how to feed themselves and use the bathroom in the appropriate places and clean themselves then I don't think they are mentally impaired.
2007-01-05 01:21:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋