Do our pets relate to humans on the Autism Spectrum differently than NTs?

[MROSS]

I've been the company of dogs who seemed confused (as dog sense goes) about play - that is I the human (on the specturm) didn't want to play, where dogs wanted to play.

This was less of an issue with cats. I've had much more experience with cats than dogs - hece cats play routines seemed more understandable than dogs.

 

[Outdated]

Dogs are a bit like human children, if you don't spend enough time playing with them they get lonely and depressed .

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Having grown up with cats and dogs... (and cattle, horses, sheep, goats, ducks, and chickens) ... and seeing other people with their pets... it is quite interesting to me... and maybe this is my interpretation... that our pets are often a cognitive mirror of ourselves. There is a fair amount of evidence that, like our own human children, they are able to sense our mental energy. They understand when they are loved and will reciprocate that love back to us. If you are angry, have ill intent, fearful, nervous, etc... they will often reciprocate that as well. Now whether much of that is simply intuition and keen observation... or something much deeper, as some might suggest... the end result is that love and kindness will be reciprocated.

One may argue that someone that is lonely or socially isolated... like some autistics... might find that companionship more valuable and express that love and kindness towards their pets.

Now, it is true that all creatures have their individual personalities and do have memories (good and bad) and even have PTSD from physical and mental abuse in their past... very much like humans. Cats, in general have their ways about them, as do dogs in terms of general behavior profiles. Kittens and puppies are different than adult cats and dogs. However, in terms of how creatures... in general... respond to humans is primarily based upon our emotional energy and intent towards them.

We had a 2000+lb Limousine cattle bull (massive, powerful animal) that played with us and a large red rubber ball in the paddock like he was a puppy and loved his neck and ear scratches and being brushed. I've also seen bulls (not ours) that were afraid of humans and would attack.

 

[MROSS]

There is a fiction book out, "All Cats Have Aspergers.'

 

[monkeyclogs]

My current dog doesn't tend to play with humans and seems to have different relationships with different people.

My mom doesn't like dogs so he just sits quietly like he's indifferent. he's not. if she leaves the room he waits a few seconds and then follows to stick his head round the corner to see where she's gone.

One of my friends loves his cuddles so he'll get up on the sofa with her and just flop on top of her expecting chest rubs.

There's a random man we pass in the street who encouraged him to jump up and put his paws on his shoulders. he excitedly does that everytime with that one man now but never jumps up at anyone else.

There are also lots of people who have previously given him food. He never forgets who they are. he'll pull me to them just to sit and politely offer a paw. (If they have food and one paw doesn't work he'll try the other paw and then both)

if you met him he'd wait to find out what kind of human you are.

 

[TBRS1]

I've been the company of dogs who seemed confused (as dog sense goes) about play - that is I the human (on the specturm) didn't want to play, where dogs wanted to play.

This was less of an issue with cats. I've had much more experience with cats than dogs - hece cats play routines seemed more understandable than dogs.

How much time did you spend in their company, and how consistent was it?

Dogs tend to react strongly to patterns. Things that disrupt or are not part of the pattern make them nervous. If the dog isn't used to you, it does not know how you fit in - this is especially true on the dog's home turf.

Also, how and how much a dog plays is dependent on the dog, and the dog's history of play - the dog may not play the way a stereotypical dog does.

Dogs tend to prefer some "rough and tumble," cat generally prefer "chase and pounce" games.